Our investments and project development activities always contribute to the SDG’s and to the Dutch economy.
Invest International supports international projects and activities of clients that contribute to the Dutch economy, particularly those that have a positive impact on global challenges in developed, emerging, and developing countries. In everything we do we live ‘impact first’. We see financial returns only as a necessity to make our operations sustainable. While realising our impact, we are committed to managing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks.
Two pillars
We were given two specific assignments by law.
- The first is to provide solutions to global challenges and create impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
- The second is to contribute to the Dutch Economy and its future earning capacity.
We’ve made the strategic decision that our ‘sweet spot for impact’ is where both assignments coincide. That’s what we mean when we say we are an impact investor in Dutch solutions for global challenges.
Although The Netherlands is a tiny country, it constitutes the 18th economy of the world. It has an open economy that thrives on innovation and sustainable, international trade. Companies contributing to the Dutch economy have a lot to offer in bringing smart solutions to make the world a better place. It is our purpose to foster these solutions and make the necessary investments feasible.
UN Sustainable Development GoalsImpact framework
Given the two pillars that underlie our identity and to ensure focus, we have chosen two primary SDGs:
Five secondary SDG’s
But although we underwrite all SDG’s we selected five secondary SDG’s that fit well with our strategy and market focus:
- Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
- Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)
- Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
- Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
- Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12).
For the coming years we will develop an integrated working method to deploy these SDG’s in everything we do. From measuring impact as part of our decision making for investments to how we report on our achievements to external stakeholders. Where possible we’ll make use of already available (international) standards and best practices.
Impact & ESG Policy of Invest International
The Impact & ESG policy (IESG) is a document defining Invest International’s guidelines for corporate social responsibility and sustainability. The purpose is to set requirements on our contribution to a sustainable economic, social and environmental development in the sectors we finance.
At a time of renewed urgency for investor action on climate change, the ESG policy sets out clear goals and guidelines on how we plan a plan of action to deliver on our mission – to invest in Dutch solutions for global challenges. At the heart of this impact investment strategy is our focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – and this policy is our blueprint for achieving them.
ESG policy principles
This policy is based on the following overarching principles:
1. Focus on increasing positive impacts and avoiding, minimizing, or mitigating adverse impacts (do no harm and do good principle).
2. Positively influence ESG performance of clients and encourage working towards full implementation of international standards through continuous improvement steps.
3. Apply the principles of proportionality and saliency (prioritizing the most salient risks) in what is expected from clients with regards to ESG.