UN Principles for Responsible Banking
Achmea Bank is an official signatory (May 2022) to the UN Principles for Responsible Banking - the sustainability framework for the banking sector, developed through a collaboration between banks worldwide and the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). By signing the Principles, we aim to be ambitious in our sustainability strategies, and to integrate and embed sustainability at the heart of our business, all over the guidelines enable banks to remain at the forefront of sustainable finance. More information on the Principles for Responsible Banking can be found on the UNEP FI website.
Guidelines for sustainable investing
As a major investor, Achmea wants to take its responsibilities. The knowledge and focus within our sustainable investment policy is bundled. Through our investments, we aim to create long-term social value. We do this by applying (international) guidelines for responsible investment. Below you can read which guidelines these are. We use various instruments to implement these guidelines in the investment process. This includes the exclusion policy, engagement, voting, ESG integration and impact investing. We also expect our service providers to act in line with these guidelines and to work with us to achieve our objectives.
Global Compact (UN)
Achmea tests its responsible investment policy against the Global Compact of the United Nations. We use these principles as a guideline when conducting engagement and completing part of the exclusion policy. Global Compact includes: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and the UN Convention against Corruption.
Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
Achmea has signed up to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). PRI encourages the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into the investment process and the exercise of responsible ownership through the equity portfolio. Here you will find the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).
Climate Agreement
Achmea supports the 2019 Climate Agreement. We do this, among other things, by investing in renewable energy and by appealing companies in which we invest, to take measures to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Engagement
We have translated these (international) treaties and initiatives into our Engagement Guidelines: concrete normative rules that we use as a guideline for the dialogue we conduct with companies. We use both general and sector-specific guidelines.
More information
All associated documents about our SRI policy can be found on the page Responsible Investment Guidelines.
Sustainability of services
Achmea's services, and therefore also Achmea Bank, will be climate neutral by 2050 at the latest. Or as soon as possible. We determine this on the basis of scientific data that helps us to define our goals as clearly as possible. We have the ambition to make sustainable solutions accessible to all Dutch people, both consumers and companies. We do this on the basis of adaptation, becoming resilient to the consequences of climate change, and mitigation, combating further climate change. We have adopted the following measures in the field of services and insurance:
- We develop services that help our customers to become resilient to the consequences of climate change. Examples of this are the ‘Groene Daken’ that we offer through Interpolis and the ‘Duurzaam Woongemak’ of Centraal Beheer.
- We also develop services that help to combat further climate change. This includes solar panels from Centraal Beheer, encouraging homeowners to become more sustainable via our mortgage, but also making the damage chain more sustainable (sustainability as part of contracting, together with suppliers) and making real estate more sustainable through Achmea Real Estate.
Making our business operations more sustainable
When it comes to making business operations more sustainable, Achmea is working together with all divisions, focusing on reducing the energy consumption of our office in Tilburg and the transition to sustainable energy sources. We also encourage working from home to reduce commuting. The business operations of Achmea Bank, part of Achmea, will be climate neutral in 2030. In concrete terms, this means that in 2030:
- The CO2 emissions are net zero (CO2 footprint) and the remaining gross CO2 emissions for 40 years are compensated with large-scale reforestation.
- Energy consumption (electricity and gas) has been reduced to a maximum and where possible we generate sustainable energy locally.
- We purchase 100% circular and energy-efficient products and materials.
We will be taking many measures in the coming years to achieve this. A selection from it:
- We enhance biodiversity at our own locations.
- We make the traffic mobility of employees more sustainable.
- In cooperation with partners/suppliers, we take measures against climate change in the procurement chain.
- We make the environment, where our locations are located, more sustainable by sharing knowledge and stimulating local (icon) projects and innovations.
This policy is described in detail and can be found below:
