Willem Schramade

How to report on impact is much-debated. In this episode of the ‘Inside Impact Investing’ podcast Triodos Investment Management’s Rebecca Spohrer and Rosl Veltmeijer discuss the general challenges and pitfalls of impact performance reporting, and how Impact Frontiers has created a set of impact reporting norms. #ImpactInvestment #ImpactReporting #PensionsforPurpose https://ow.ly/w6FL50RBaAA

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⚠⚠⚠ Free Sustainable Aspirations and Performance Data (Symbolic & Substantive CSR) ⚠⚠⚠ Throughout his dissertation, Bram van der Kroft has developed measures of firms’ environmental and social performance relative to fellow firms within an industry from granular ESG/CSR information. As of today, he is providing this data for free online for academic use at: https://lnkd.in/gCdr9z7B With this data, you can: 1.       Separately analyze firms’ sustainable aspirations, performance, reporting, policies, activities, targets, outcomes, and controversies (Symbolic and Substantive CSR) 2.       For a worldwide sample of firms in every continent (75 countries) 3.       Over a long period (2003 to 2022; yearly) 4.       Entirely free for academic use, accessible as a CSV or Stata file Therefore, you no longer have to rely on ESG ratings to measure how well firms perform on materials source management, supply chain management, business ethics, customer welfare, legal and regulatory concerns, labor practices, water management, water usage, wastewater management, business model resilience, greenhouse gas emissions, selling practices, employee health safety, and employee management. This data is also freely shared in light of creating transparency and the recent replicability crisis in finance. For further details on and validation of the data, see: https://lnkd.in/eJg_xYcM; and https://lnkd.in/esU_TYAU #csr  #esg  #sustainability  #symbolic  #substantive  #aspirations #performance  #symboliccsr  #substantivecsr  #research  #data  #free   #freedata  #workingpaper  #paper  #economics  #finance  #accounting   #management  #aom  #sim  #sustainable  #esgreporting  #policy #policies #reporting  #targets  #controversies  #environmental  #social #governance  #corporate  #social  #responsibility  

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Today’s Bellier Telescope headlines: New Dutch government targets pension funds’ ESG priorities; Green bond issuance surges as investors hunt for yield   👉 Dutch pension funds are not legally required to prioritise financial returns for ‘sustainability impact’ in their investments, but that may change with a new right-wing government coalition in place in the Netherlands, institutional publication, Pensioen Pro reports. Right-wing parties across Europe are increasingly echoing the anti-ESG investing sentiment prevalent in Republican states in the U.S., predicated on the perception that sustainable investment strategies have underperformed traditional ones and hurt local industries dependent on fossil fuels.   Geert Wilders' far-right Freedom Party (PVV), winner of the Dutch general election, peddles the view that pension funds invest sustainably: “mainly to look good internationally,” over the backs of millions of pension members. Coalition partner, the liberal VVD said in response to a recent statement from the head of the €500 million AUM Dutch civil servants pension fund ABP, that the retirement plan would” “look at the total world in which it could invest through climate and biodiversity glasses,” that this ESG-framed policy could harm the pensions: "of many people who never chose it themselves." The prospective minister of social affairs in the new cabinet from coalition party NSC, said that for the elderly, a secure retirement income means a pension that has purchasing power at its core and provides adequate security.   A broad parliamentary majority supported a motion in April stating that pension funds should stop "activist and idealistic" investing and always put financial returns first. The motion proposed that members can have their say on ESG activism in pension fund bodies, but if retirement plans “get lost” in their investment choices, the regulator can intervene and calls for an examination of how pension fund supervisory frameworks can be tightened.   👉 Global sustainable debt issuance hit a record $273 bn Q1 this year, according to a report from the non-profit, Climate Bonds Initiative, as investors pile into green bonds and other debt tracking similar ESG themes as a way of signaling their environmental credentials, while also locking in an attractive yield, the Financial Times writes. Like more conventional fixed income, demand for sustainable debt has been boosted by high interest rates. But it has also been helped by what some fund managers argue is the erosion of the so-called ‘greenium’ – a discount in the cost of borrowing that issuers of green bonds can enjoy.  This means that, in many cases, investors can put money into sustainable debt without sacrificing much, if anything, in terms of yield.

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How we choose to invest our money impacts both our economy and our society. This is why we’re committed to using money as a force for good. Explore the detailed impact report of our Future Generations strategy on our website and find out how investing in the future of children makes a difference. #PositiveImpact #ImpactInvesting #ImpactExcellence #ImpactReport #MarketingCommunication

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❔ How can we live well without harming the planet? A good start is to stop pursuing economic growth as a goal. As our economies grow, they use more energy and resources. This is an important cause of ecological crises. To live well now and in the future and within planetary boundaries, chasing growth should become a thing of the past. Instead, we should transform our economies to provide a good life for people combined with low energy and resource use. ❗ That is why Triodos Bank supports the call for a post-growth transition. 🌍 The best way to ensure a high quality of life for everyone without exceeding the boundaries of the planet is to move beyond growth. 📃 Interested to read more? Check out our position paper: https://lnkd.in/eyH3SBEC

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Climate litigation works! 💠 Climate lawsuits are increasingly used to push governments and corporations for more decisive climate actions. 💠 Landmark cases, like those against the Dutch and German governments, have led to significant policy changes and commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (and the same might happen because of the ruling last week (https://lnkd.in/eEAgp8nq). 💠 Even when climate lawsuits fail, they can raise public awareness and influence future legal and policy outcomes. 💠 Litigation against corporations often results in financial repercussions and motivates better environmental disclosures to avoid reputational damage. 💠 Future climate litigation will likely focus on compensation for climate-related damages and ensuring governments meet their commitments to mitigate climate effects. I think it would be better if governments and companies respected our laws and that litigation was unnecessary. However, since it is clear that this is not the reality that we live in, I am grateful that we have NGOs, activists, and citizens who go to court. https://lnkd.in/ew8Sztpm

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What would pension fund members really say if they could tell their pension fund how to invest responsibly? In a pioneering project, Emmeline C. worked with a group of facilitators to find out directly from a mini public of 50 Pensioenfonds Detailhandel members on what was important to them in terms of their future and the future of society. Recommendations were then co-developed with the members. This is the very first deliberative mini-public to address responsible investing for a pension fund. It’s a big innovation – bringing member voice on investment decisions into an industry governed by trusteeship. The project addresses the wider conversation of how members can engage with, participate in and effectively influence the decision-making of their pension fund. Sophie Robinson-Tillett covers the initiative in this Investment & Pensions Europe (IPE): https://lnkd.in/eYQPBHm6 Cranfield University Cranfield School of Management

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How is climate change impacting the food value chain? Thijs Geijer wrote a comprehensive article about extreme weather events, constraints on water availability and resulting volatility in food prices and availability https://lnkd.in/e4r-sRSZ #sustainability #food #climaterisk #adaptation

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We should stop sustainable investing, argues Dick van Ommeren, Chair of the Management Board at Triodos Investment Management. Why? Because the words ‘sustainable’ and ‘ESG’ in fund names do not necessarily equate to value creation or problem solving. "Those who truly want to drive enduring transformative change for future generations, I encourage to do in-depth research to better understand ‘what’s under the hood’ of ‘sustainable’ and ‘ESG’ funds and to draw their own conclusions, which I hope will be to stop sustainable investing and to instead start investing with the aim of contributing to authentic and enduring transformative change that the world needs." Read his his column on our website. #ImpactInvesting #ESG #SustainableInvesting #TransformativeChange #ChangeFinance

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🌱 Aligning with True Transformative Change 🌱 We at Tejomay Green Energies wholeheartedly agree with Dick van Ommeren, Chair of the Management Board at Triodos Investment Management. Simply labeling investments as ‘sustainable’ or ‘ESG’ doesn’t necessarily equate to real value creation or problem solving. Those who truly want to drive enduring transformative change for future generations should dive deep into understanding the true impact of their investments. It’s time to move beyond surface-level sustainability and invest in authentic, transformative initiatives. At Tejomay, our focus is on grassroots-level change. We are dedicated to creating circular economies and green villages in rural areas. Our vision is to develop self-sustainable clusters of villages that support each other. Here’s how: 🌾 Agri-Waste to Bio-CNG: Converting agricultural waste into bio CNG. ♻️ Sustainable Farming: Using by-products from CBG production to enrich agricultural land, promoting organic farming. 🐄 Dairy Integration: Including dairy farming in the loop to complete the food chain and produce healthy food. Sustainability is not about forcing changes but about finding and addressing root causes to create a truly sustainable future. #ImpactInvesting #ESG #SustainableInvesting #TransformativeChange #ChangeFinance #CircularEconomy #GreenVillages #TejomayGreenEnergies

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Investors to increase allocations to climate solutions and 'brown-to-green' transition strategies: Robeco survey Lucian Peppelenbos Mark van der Kroft #climatechange #climatetransition #ESGinvesting #sustainableinvesting #assetmanagement

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Join us on 18 June for our investment webinar 'Navigating the climate transition from an investor perspective' where experts will help to: • Define transition and investment themes you should be aware of • Highlight the progress on climate transition in portfolios and sectors • Discuss the recent trends in the energy sector, including recent challenges • Provide practical examples of what investors are doing to manage their portfolio through the transition Register today https://bit.ly/4cdA6kZ #investmentwebinar

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Good Monday morning. Here is today's #sustainability news for technology partners. Our updates for July 22, 2024 include: 1. A student thesis is helping to improve #carbonfootpribt reporting at the University of Twente. 2. HSBC is launching a new business united, called #HSBC Infrastructure Finance, to assist the transition to a low carbon economy. 3. OpenAI escaped a #copyright lawsuit from #opensource programmers, but the case against GitHub & #Microsoft moves forward. M&A and financial news... 1. University of Massachusetts Amherst receives $6.4M grant to create a free Environmental Product Declaration tool for the steel industry. 2. Cloverleaf Infrastructure raises $300M from #privateequity investors #NGP and Sandbrook Capital. 3. Pinchin acquires Codegreen Solutions & Environmental Building Solutions (EBS) 4. Hillside Environmental Services & Infinitas Design merge to form HI Group

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We are glad to have been featured through our advisory work on Energy Entrepreneurs growth fund (#EEGF), A fund created in 2019 by Shell Foundation and FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, managed by Triple Jump in the Inclusive Business Investing Guide.   The "Inclusive Business Investing Guide," developed by IFC - International Finance Corporation, leverages sectoral experience from DFIs like British International Investment (BII), FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, and itself. This guide serves as a comprehensive resource for impact investors aiming to foster sustainable development and social impact for low-income populations that enhance livelihoods and provide essential, affordable goods and services. Other Key aspects of the guide include understanding inclusive business, establishing intentional investment approaches, incorporating inclusive business into pre-investment processes, managing impact, and utilizing advisory services and technical assistance. Interested in reading further? Check here: https://lnkd.in/d9k7RpaF #goodread #investing4impact #EEGF

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We are excited to announce that Triodos Bank and Triodos Investment Management are joining forces with Canada-based Fondaction and Fondaction Asset Management (Fondaction Gestion d’Actifs) with the aim to jointly accelerate positive change in global finance. Building on both our extensive track records, we are starting this collaboration to accelerate the pace of change by financing positive change on the one hand and advocating for the financial sector to become fairer, more inclusive, greener and more efficient, on the other. Jeroen Rijpkema, Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Triodos Bank: “We are delighted to enter into a partnership with Fondaction and put our collective experience and ambitions to work in creating positive change for the planet and society. As a sign of commitment, both parties foresee to invest in each other’s activities over the next two years. By joining forces, we can scale our impact and accelerate the changes that are so urgently required.” As part of this partnership, Triodos Investment Management and Fondaction Asset Management, will set-up a joint venture that focusses on addressing the finance gap for biodiversity and natural capital solutions in developed markets. The joint venture will focus on financing real assets through the development of a closed-end fund platform, which will invest private capital in projects and organisations active in biodiversity, nature, and climate resilience. Hadewych Kuiper, Managing Director of Triodos Investment Management, Member of the Management Board: “The need to address global challenges such as climate change and loss of biodiversity has never been more important. We strongly believe in the power of collaboration to truly make a difference as we cannot do it alone. As such, we are very excited to partner up with a like-minded investor such as Fondaction to jointly finance change and change finance.” For more information, please read the full press release on our website. #ImpactInvesting #SustainableFinance #ScaleWithIntegrity

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If a chief economist of ABN AMRO Bank N.V. explains her concerns on climate change impacts because "there is sufficient scientific evidence" and not plain ideology, we need to pay attention (https://lnkd.in/gDVcbrkC, interview by Sheila Sitalsing in de Volkskrant). Sandra Phlippen was a "risky hire" for the bank, but as a practice professor at University of Groningen she has a solid scientific background. "Not taking climate action is substantially more costly than investing in reducing emissions. We can afford some failures while implementing policies." I've shared some reflections on her inaugural lecture a few weeks ago. Recent news does substantiate a number of - evidence-based - statements she made. Today in Trouw: extreme weather make insuring transport and infrastructure supporting worldwide trade unaffordable (https://lnkd.in/gByFvtDb). And the Wetenschappelijke Klimaatraad (WKR) advises the new Dutch government to invest in carbon removal technology (https://lnkd.in/gRWfG92F). Last Monday: investments with a sustainable label still end up largely in oil, car manufacturing and clothing (https://lnkd.in/gkm3nr7V). But also, according to Sandra's lecture: there is no proof from a massive European exodus from companies to escape environmental taxes; the Emission Trade System did lead to a rapid decline in European carbon emissions, without a large number of bankrupts. Moving capital away from risky areas will leave vulnerable areas even more vulnerable, and policy is needed to avoid an increase in inequalities in an already unequal world. Investment in companies that can reduce transition hurdles (for instance, battery technology, or firms solving labour shortages) strongly contributes to long-term economic resilience. There is a strong call for strong regulation of trade, innovation and financial incentives. Not from ideological organizations, or concerned scientists or citizens. But from plain and major stakeholders in global trade and finance. Let's reinforce the evidence base that can generate the courage of decision takers to act accordingly.

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Reporting greenhouse gas emissions is more crucial than ever. Our ESG sub brand Holtara explores the impact of regulations aligning with the Paris Agreement's goals and increasing stakeholder demand on firms' carbon reporting. Read the blog by Simone van den Akker… #ESG #ESGregulations #CarbonReporting #GreenhouseGasEmissions https://lnkd.in/dzUPaY_G

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Remarkably Shell mentions 'ensuring future competitiveness and current market conditions' among the reasons to pause its European #biofuels facility in Rotterdam. Yes, prices dropped recently, but that should be a temporary phenomenon as ambitious 2030-targets will force #airlines to ramp up blending #biokerosine (#SAF) quickly and demand for #HVO from road #transportation seems to mount as well. Possibly deliveries from elsewhere are part of the explanation. https://lnkd.in/ewc8DKsA https://lnkd.in/e5ZdmKvT

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A Canadian pension fund is teaming up with a Dutch ethical bank to tackle the nature finance gap. Through this partnership, Fondaction and Triodos Bank will create a fund to invest private capital in companies and activities that promote biodiversity, nature, and climate resilience - with a focus on regenerative agriculture, sustainable forestry, and nature restoration. Fondaction’s CEO Genevieve Morin said collaborations between institutions that shared a vision and values was  essential to foster  the transformation needed to shape tomorrow’s economy. Nevertheless, the challenge remains:  finding “investable” opportunities on the ground. Triodos’ Managing Director Hadewych Kuiper said that although there was demand for these kinds of investment solutions, the limited number of suitable  activities means the partners will need time to identify a pipeline of investment opportunities before launch. The Nature Investment Hub celebrates novel partnerships like this. It is a strong signal of private sector interest  in investing in nature - and holds promise for Indigenous leaders and the conservation community across Canada who are  seeking long-term innovative finance for their activities.   We look forward to learning more about this new fund. In the meantime, we are continuing to help organizations determine when to apply conservation finance instruments and how to design initiatives to attract new types of investment. Read more: https://lnkd.in/en6JWx-Z

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