VBDO - Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development

Tax: An Investor Guide

Tax transparency has become an essential aspect of responsible investment. The Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development (VBDO) updates this guide to reflect the evolving regulatory landscape and the growing expectations of stakeholders regarding corporate tax practices. Institutional investors […]

News - Oxari new VBDO member -
18/02/2025

VBDO welcomes ESG data analyst Oxari as the newest member. The organisation informs us: “Oxari believes that sustainability starts with insight. Transparent and reliable data is key to responsible and future-proof business practices. By joining VBDO, we reinforce our mission […]

News - VBDO’s AGM engagement themes 2025 -
17/02/2025

Since 1995, we have been a loyal visitor to general shareholders’ meetings (AGMs). Every year, we ask critical questions to the directors of around 40 Dutch-listed companies to promote sustainable business operations. The material environmental, social, and governance issues concerning […]

Opinion - ABP’s approach to responsible tax -
11/02/2025

This article is part of our recent publication, Tax: An Investor Guide. Astrid Durgaram is Expert Advisor Legal and Tax at Stichting Pensioenfonds ABP, where she advises on legal and tax matters regarding asset management, third-party agreements, and financial regulations. […]

"A great, open discussion" - Marcel Andringa, Executive Director

We had a good open discussion with VBDO about the implementation of our sustainable investment policy. They gave us specific points for improvement. Conversely, they were also open to our experiences and suggestions.

"VBDO brings the outside in" - Eric Huizing, VP Investments

We appreciate the work of VBDO. They bring the “outside in”; we are busy with the day-to-day business and then responsible investing often comes second. Through the role of “louse in the fur”, VBDO makes us aware of the fact that you should not only include the financial result in your decision-making process.

"A Driving Force" - Masja Zandbergen, Head of Sustainability Integration

The VBDO benchmark is one of the motivations for Dutch pension funds to seriously approach sustainable investment and continue to improve it.

Our mission

The VBDO is convinced that a more sustainable and responsible capital market leads to a healthier and more just world.

As an independent association, we are a passionate driver, motivator and knowledge leader for responsible investment and have been anchoring sustainability in companies since 1995.

VBDO helps organizations from a standpoint of respect and expertise in making choices that look beyond financial gain, but also consider social, environmental and governance aspects.

Read about sustainable investing

ItaSIF – The plastic crisis: how sustainable finance can drive change - 06/03/2025

In the last 20 years global output of plastic doubled, and most plastic waste was dumped into the environment. Plastic has huge impacts on marine biodiversity. Oil-producing countries opposed setting a plastic production reduction target at the late 2024 negotiation to put an end […]