Our approach

We want to know what is happening in the social sphere in our investment portfolio. Therefore, the starting point of our SRI process is measuring the social risks and impacts. We measure the carbon footprint of our investments, the energy labels of our property and mortgage portfolios, and we screen and monitor our portfolios for any (potential) adverse impacts. The latter is done using international standards, such as the UN Global Compact, OECD guidelines and UN Guiding Principles. We also constantly work to obtain greater insight into our portfolios.

We exclude irresponsible activities from our investments and reduce their adverse impact. Achmea chooses to exclude investments if they are in conflict with generally-accepted social standards and with our own convictions, and there is no prospect of improvement. By definition, some economic activities do not align with Achmea as a company, such as tobacco, controversial weapons and highly-polluting fossil fuels. Nor, by definition, do we invest in countries and companies that structurally violate international standards.

You will find the exclusion policy and an up-to-date list of exclusions on this page.

Although companies that are excluded from investment may feel this in the long term (and will be obliged by the market to adjust their activities), in the short or medium term this has no immediate impact in the real economy. In order to have an impact on the real economy, Achmea uses a number of methods to exert influence on policy at the companies in which it invests. Our preferred method is to find solutions together with the companies in our portfolios. We are convinced that this promotes long-term value creation at the companies in which we invest.

Our SRI policy is implemented via an extensive engagement programme with the companies for which we identify social challenges and by attending shareholder meetings at which we cast our vote in accordance with our guidelines. Furthermore, we discuss (application of) the SRI policy with the service providers that implement our investment policy, such as asset managers. When granting mortgages we help and encourage our clients to make their homes more sustainable.

You will find more information on engagement and voting here.

The previous steps are focused mainly on avoiding or reducing adverse impact, but in this step we turn this around. Apart from a responsible investment result, some of our investments are explicitly aimed at making a positive impact on the local environment. We specifically seek to have an impact in the real economy. It is our belief that making an impact is only real if it is intentional and measurable, without any significant adverse impact on other social factors. Impact investments are applied within existing asset classes that share similar fundamental and risk/return characteristics to the impact investment. Wherever possible, Achmea strives to make a positive impact within each individual asset class. The size of the impact investment is appropriate within the size of the relevant asset class, as defined in the regular investment process, and depends on the available, relative market size of impact investments within this asset class.

We explain what we do in great detail on Achmea’s website. Here we set out our policies and publish a variety of documents and reports, including a half year SRI report, annual report, SFDR statement principle adverse impacts and active ownership report. An online system also provides insight into how Achmea has voted at shareholder meetings.

Click here to see a list of all the available documents and reports.