Our new ESG ambitions 2024 - 2027

a.s.r. asset management focuses on responsible investing and creating positive impact through investments. With a clear strategy, a.s.r. aims to reduce negative effects and promote positive changes in society and the environment. Recently, new strategic ambitions have been announced to further strengthen this focus.

Three Central Objectives

The new strategic ambitions are based on three main objectives. First, the goal is to minimize the negative impact of activities on the environment and society. This is achieved, among other things, by making responsible investment choices and setting clear rules for excluding certain sectors (see also our Policy on Responsible Investments) that cause severe harm to people and the planet.

Second, a.s.r. aims not only to respond to societal challenges but also to actively contribute to solutions and use our influence to encourage positive changes for people and the planet. We do this by investing on behalf of our clients in companies and countries that we believe have the potential to become more sustainable and demonstrate their commitment to this goal. We also engage in dialogue with companies and policymakers, highlighting areas where improvements are needed and providing them with the capital necessary for the transition.

Finally, creating a positive impact on society is a priority. a.s.r. believes that financial resources can also be utilized to address social issues. Therefore, part of our managed assets is allocated to impact investments. By investing in organizations and companies that have a positive effect on the environment or society, a.s.r. aims to contribute to a better society.

Strategic Principles

a.s.r.’s ambition is based on strategic principles. We see transparency and responsible business practices as foundations for building trust with clients and stakeholders. Additionally, a.s.r. focuses on four specific themes: climate change and energy transition, preservation of natural resources and biodiversity, health and well-being, and human rights.

Climate Change and Energy Transition
We exclude companies involved in the production of conventional oil and gas that are not aligned with the Paris Agreement. We also exclude companies that extract and produce thermal coal or burn it for electricity generation, as well as those involved in the production and transportation of unconventional oil and gas. As a long-term investor, we want to use our influence by engaging in dialogue with other companies and encouraging them to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. We also invest directly in areas critical to the energy transition, such as renewable energy generation and energy storage solutions.

Biodiversity and Natural Resources
We exclude companies that produce or distribute palm oil from unsustainable sources and those that manage forests unsustainably. We engage with companies in other sectors to raise awareness of biodiversity risks and to point out the steps they should take to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for managing these risks.

Health and Well-being
We exclude companies that produce and distribute tobacco products and those involved in the gambling industry. With companies in other sectors, we discuss minimizing negative (future) health effects of food products and ensuring access to medicines and healthcare.

Human Rights
We exclude companies with serious (and repeated) controversies regarding human rights. We also encourage companies through dialogue and voting to respect human rights, mitigate any violations, and, if necessary, take appropriate remedial action. These themes are of great importance for a sustainable future and are integrated into our responsible investment policy. There is also an intention to positively influence the financial sector as a whole by inspiring financial institutions to take similar steps as a.s.r. and jointly achieve an even greater positive impact.

Conscious Investing

For investments, two preferred areas have been identified as part of the new ambitions: local impact and innovation. a.s.r. invests in local Dutch initiatives that create value for communities and supports innovations and technologies that can facilitate societal transitions.

Targets

Last June, new targets were announced to objectively measure our progress and align our investment activities with our sustainability strategy. We aim for ‘net-zero’ financed emissions by 2045, with interim targets for 2030 and 2040. Additionally, we want to have invested at least 10% of managed assets in impact investments by 2027, of which at least 2 billion euros will be directed towards social impact (impact investments that contribute to health and well-being and human rights).

Read more about our responsible investment policy.