Dutch Pension Manager APG Becomes Climate Bonds Partner

Giant Dutch pension asset manager Algemene Pensioen Groep (APG) have announced they will join the Climate Bonds Initiative Partnership Programme, effective immediately. APG is an international leader in sustainable and responsible investment practices.

APG is a Netherlands-based pension fund established under the Algemene Ouderdoms Wet (general old-age law), a 1956 Dutch law that installed a state pension for all elderly. APG manages pension assets of around 4.5 million Dutch citizens for its clients and administers over 30% of all collective pension schemes in the Netherlands. As of August 2015 assets under management (AUM) totalled about EUR 402bn ($US431bn)

The Climate Bonds Initiative is an investor-focused not-for-profit, promoting large-scale investment in the low-carbon economy. It is the only organization in the world working exclusively to mobilise the USD 100 trillion bond market for climate change solutions.

Herman Slooijer – Managing Director Global Credits at APG Asset Management: “APG has a longstanding commitment to sustainability as a core part of our investment beliefs. We share this with our clients, Dutch pension funds, who seek to increase their exposure to investments that address climate change and other societal challenges. Within corporate credits we can participate in green bonds, if these meet our risk-return requirements.”

“Partnering with the Climate Bonds Initiative is a practical step for APG to support the development of new green bond investment mechanisms, standards and certification schemes which will provide international investors, managers and issuers with a level of comfort and certainty over what constitutes a green bond.”

“As a long term, diversified institutional investor, integrity in green bond certification and transparency in future green bond markets are outcomes we support. Working with Climate Bonds to strengthen their Standards and Certification Scheme helps achieve these outcomes.”

Climate Bonds Initiative CEO Sean Kidney: “APG becoming a Partner has energised us. They are an international leader in developing strategies to address environmental sustainability and are a leading institutional investor voice in Europe on climate and carbon issues.”

“We’re looking forward to a very productive relationship and working together to help drive a rapid transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient economy as envisaged by COP21 goals and INDC objectives.”