Pension fund more green thanks to participants
Participants in Pensioenfonds Detailhandel want sustainable investments, even if this yields less investment return. This is evident from research by Maastricht University in 2018, and was confirmed during a second study in 2020. A large majority want the pension fund to invest in a green and humane way, according to scientists Rob Bauer, Tobias Ruof and Paul Smeets of the School of Business and Economics.
Four sustainability goals
In 2017, Pensioenfonds Detailhandel committed itself to the 17 sustainability goals of the United Nations. From that moment on, the focus was on three of these goals (Fair work / economic growth, Climate action and Peace, justice and strong public services). Partly on the advice of Maastricht University, a fourth goal (Responsible production and consumption) has been added.
Real choice
In 2018, the participants in Pensioenfonds Detailhandel received a first online questionnaire. The researchers asked to indicate the direction for the future investment policy. The results showed that 67.9% of the respondents want the pension fund to invest more sustainably. As a result, the fund has radically adjusted its investment portfolio. In the follow-up survey in 2020, the participants again indicated that they expect the fund to continue to invest sustainably. Chairman of the Board Henk van der Kolk: “If our participants want it and if it works, we will expand our sustainable investments in the coming years”.
Also read
-
If you start working less, it will also affect pension accrual. You will have less to spend after you retire. Employees do not give this enough thought.
-
Fossil subsidies undermine climate policy, says Patrick Huntjens and other colleagues in an opinion article.
-
Obligation for energy label C for offices seems to have desired effect
