Who we are

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 have been a passionate driver, motivator and knowledge leader for responsible investment. We have been anchoring sustainability in companies since 1995.

We use respect and expertise to help organisations make choices beyond financial gain and consider social, environmental, and governance aspects.

Activities

Progress through knowledge sharing is central to VBDO. We give substance to our mission by publishing benchmarks and theme studies, organising round tables, webinars and seminars and asking the right, critical questions at shareholders’ meetings. We embrace doing these activities in collaboration with other parties. Our members are made up of institutional and private investors as well as leading NGOs. We represent over 80% of the capital invested by Dutch investors and are regarded as an important and respected discussion partner by the media, politicians and others.

Driving change through engagement

As a lobby organisation, VBDO maintains an active and committed dialogue with the largest Dutch-listed companies. We attend approximately 40 AGMs (General Meeting of Shareholders) annually, asking critical questions about their sustainability performance. A VBDO spokesperson requests specific environmental, social and governance commitments during these meetings. Using engagement, we put sustainable business operations high on the board’s agenda and encourage companies to keep raising the bar.

Motivate with benchmarks

As a watchdog of the financial sector, the VBDO has a leadership position in developing and implementing benchmarks. These comparative studies make companies’ responsible, sustainable investment performance clear and transparent. Benchmarks utilise the competitive strength of the market. This means that organisations are motivated by public benchmark assessment to improve their performance concerning each other and themselves continuously. Our benchmarks are also issued in English. The best-known examples are our annual benchmark Responsible Investment by Pension Funds, the VBDO Tax Transparency Benchmark and our bi-annual benchmark Responsible Investment by Insurance Companies.

Knowledge sharing via thought leadership

As a network and knowledge center, the VBDO is always up to date with the latest developments in sustainable investment. We share this knowledge by organizing events such as round table discussions, seminars and masterclasses.

Our thematic studies, white papers and other publications are made publicly available and appear regularly in the national media and trade journals.

Our members

The VBDO is an association and thus promotes the interests of its members. Our members consist of institutional and private investors and NGOs; they have a vision of the world that firmly affiliates with our vision.

During our annual general meeting, all members can ask questions about and weigh in on the association.

You’ll find an exhaustive list of all our institutional members on our members page.

Our partners, local & international networks

VBDO is affiliated with a number of local & international projects and networks. In addition to our members, we work intensively with various partners;

Platform Living Wage Financials (PLWF)
Bottom Line!
ERIN (European Responsible Investment Network)
Eurosif
GSIA (Global Sustainable Investment Alliance)
Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA)

More information can be found on our partner and network page.