In the Sustainability Report 2017, PDN explains its sustainability policy and accounts for the most significant results over the reporting year 2017. For PDN, the sustainability policy is a way of contributing to sustainable development in the world without putting pressure on the portfolio’s risk and return profile. The full sustainability report is included in the annual report and can be found on PDN’s website.
Sustainability in investments is a major aspect of the investment philosophy and an integral component of PDN's investment principles. In consideration of the fund’s place in society, the definition and implementation of the investment policy must be based on more than purely financial aspects. Aspects relevant to the sustainable and humane advancement of society are also observed.
We do not invest in activities in companies and countries that the United Nations, the European Union, or the Dutch government consider unacceptable or which run counter to the standards and values of the UN Global Compact's Ten Principles. Controversial weapons are also excluded from investment.
PDN uses Impact Investments to help guide us in achieving both attractive financial returns and social objectives. Our investment decisions are based on the UN's seventeen sustainable development goals.
The fund ensures total transparency in terms of pension capital investments. Our website features the names of all the companies the fund invests in.
Where possible, investments are managed and evaluated according to Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors.
We enter into a series of intensive dialogues with companies whose practices are not in line with the UN Global Compact's principles.
In 2018, PDN will be focusing on further integrating and refining the integration of sustainable investment in the portfolio. The fund will redefine the Investment Belief on sustainability.
In 2018, PDN committed to the Montréal Pledge. The Montréal Pledge is an initiative of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment, by which institutional investors like pension funds commit to publishing their CO2 footprint. The goal is to present a clearer picture of the climate change-related risks and opportunities to which the fund is exposed. In the continued implementation of the Pledge, the fund will formulate a climate change policy in 2018.
In 2018, PDN will conduct an investigation into the degree to which the investments contribute towards the achievement of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The fund will further formulate policy intended to help make the 17 SDGs more transparent and may select a specific focus for the fund within the SDGs.
Alongside the analyses and initiatives referred to above, in 2018 the fund will also be investigating opportunities to participate in other sustainability initiatives.