Sustainability does not just come out of the blue
Both international RBC agreements, insurers and pension funds, are jointly involved in a collective engagement process aimed at preventing further loss of biodiversity. During a field visit to an organic farm, inspiring conversations arose between financial institutions, the government, science, NGOs and farmer Jan Wieringa. A longread on the visit is available.
Nienke van der Veen (World Animal Protection, centre), Pieter van der Gaag (chair, right) and Arthur van Mansvelt (Achmea Investment Management) I Picture: Ivar Pel
More than 20 representatives of both agreements took part in the field visit to the organic farm Veld & Beek. Thanks to the Dutch Association of Insurers, an English longread is available, including various interviews of those present.
Engagement
The RBC agreement on international responsible investment in the insurance sector has chosen biodiversity as the annual theme, whereby the Pension Funds agreement has been linked to the engagement process. Questions that are discussed in the working group include: how does cultivated soy find its way to Europe? Is that happening through deforestation for soy plantations? Are there alternatives for the meat and dairy processing industry? Insights gained by the working group are used in discussions with international, listed companies that process soy and in which insurers and pension funds invest. These so-called engagement discussions are intended to encourage companies to put more effort into a sustainable supply chain.
In the short Dutch video below, recorded during the field visit, Arthur van Mansvelt (Achmea Investment Management), Marjolein Meulensteen (a.s.r.) and Adrie Heinsbroek (NN Investment Partners) explain what they mean by engagement, how it is implemented and why biodiversity is so important.