Investing in sustainable projects
And more developments that make the difference
Achieving adequate returns on managed assets is extremely important for us, as these form the basis for all current and future pensions. We make our investments after giving careful consideration to risks, costs and ethical principles.
Corporate social investing
TNO Pension Fund finds corporate social investing self-explanatory. Corporate social investing is also part of our investment policy. We endorse the ten UN Global Compact Principles covering human rights, labour standards, environmental responsibility and anti-corruption. We, moreover, also want to make the difference in the longer term.
We, in consultation with TNO, will select one or more UN Sustainable Development Goals. We will then seek appropriate investment projects.
Impact investing
Drawing up a multi-year ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) policy also enables us to make the difference in the longer term. We are now also going to invest in sustainable projects. We, in consultation with TNO, will select one or more UN Sustainable Development Goals. We will then seek appropriate investment projects. In adopting this approach, TNO Pension Fund will contribute to solving global problems such as poverty, inequality and climate change.
Longer list of exclusions
We have carefully reviewed where there is room for improvement. We will exclude more countries and companies that do not comply with the UN rules and principles. The latest update of our Corporate Social Investment Policy also reveals that the number of exclusions has greatly increased. We are making considerations to also exclude investments in tobacco products to include the companies that market tobacco. It's a goal we're striving for, but achieving it is somewhat complicated.
We have carefully reviewed where there is room for improvement. We will exclude more countries and companies that do not comply with the UN rules and principles.
Casting votes at shareholders’ meetings is a powerful means of expressing your opinion. We are going to do this more often.
Using voting rights to make a positive impact
We also plan to make more of the difference in another area than in the past. Casting votes at shareholders’ meetings is a powerful means of expressing your opinion. We are going to do this more often. The pension fund has to date cast its votes, via a proxy, only at the shareholders’ meetings of Dutch companies. This is going to change. The Board has decided to exercise the voting rights attached to all European shares. This is also a means of making a direct positive impact on organizations.
The above are the main points in our plans to also make the difference in the longer term.