Actiam has claimed to be the first Dutch asset manager to disclose the carbon footprint for all its investment funds.

The manager said the measure would contribute to its goal of reducing the CO2 emissions of all its holdings by 25% by 2025.

Actiam has also published the current carbon footprint measures of all of its funds on its website.

The company, which manages €23bn of pension assets, said that last year it had reduced its total carbon footprint by 2.25% relative to 2015.

Earlier this year, Actiam announced that it would fully exclude coal mining companies from its investment portfolios and index funds with immediate effect, and that it would start engagement with companies to promote transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources.

ABP, the €389bn civil service scheme, and BpfBOUW, the €54bn pension fund for the building sector, have already announced that they would reduce the carbon emissions of their equity holdings by 25% by 2020, while the €45bn metal industry scheme PME has set a similar goal for 2021.

Healthcare pension fund PFZW even aims at halving its carbon footprint ahead of 2020, through divesting its stake in 200 companies in the mining, steel and energy sectors.

ASR buys First Investments

ASR Asset Management is to take over Dutch specialist pensions asset manager First Investments.

The €550m manager First Investments was founded in 2006 and focuses on tailor-made solutions for matching and return-seeking investments.

In a joint statement, the companies said all staff of First Investments would join ASR Asset Management.

Jack Julicher, chief investment officer at ASR, said that the acquisition would further improve ASR’s position as a provider for institutional clients.

“During the past years, First Investments has protected the funding of its pension fund clients in a volatile market,” he said.

Henk Beets, director-owner of First Investments, said that ASR would enable his company to achieve its growth target.

“Our clients can expect a continuation of our tailor-made service against low costs,” Beets added.

Both players did not disclose the transaction amount involved.

Netherlands’ Actuary of the Year

Dirk Jonker, founder of human resources consultancy Focus Orange, has been named the Netherlands’ Actuary of the Year.

A jury of fellow professionals, headed by Ronald Latenstein, former chief executive of SNS Reaal, praised him for his courage, entrepreneurship and pioneering work.

The other nominees were Wichert Hoekert (Willis Towers Watson), Servaas Houben (Ennia Curaçao), and Sabijn Timmers (Triodos Bank).

Earlier winners of the best actuary award include:

  • Marc Heemskerk, Mercer (2016)
  • Amba Zeggen, independent (2015)
  • Falco Valkenburg, independent (2014)
  • Ad Kok, independent (2013)
  • Jan Tamerus, PGGM (2012)

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