Kempen Capital Management (Kempen) has signed the Net Zero Asset Managers commitment, an initiative for a group of international asset managers to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in their portfolios by 2050. They select investments that are targeted to achieve net zero emissions by or before 2050, in line with worldwide efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The signing of this initiative follows the presentation by Kempen of its new climate change policy in November this year. In this new climate change policy, Kempen committed in the short, medium, and long term to becoming a net zero investor by 2050. Short-term objectives include more investments in green bonds, a sharper focus on active management of climate change obligations, and broader exclusions of coal and tar sands.
Lars Dijkstra, Chief Investment Officer at Kempen Capital Management, says:‘As a long-term investment company, we hold the view that climate change poses a systemic risk to the economy, society, and the environment. In this context, we want to clearly identify the risks and opportunities posed to our clients’ investments. Investors can play a key role in easing the transition to a low-carbon economy as well as in reducing the climate risks of the companies in which they invest. Kempen has been a longstanding proponent in the fight against climate change through active management and a long-term focus. By partnering with 30 other international asset managers in the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, we join forces and increase our impact.”
