Clarifying the Dutch pension sector’s role in the sustainability transition

Netspar research project financed by NWO

The transition to a sustainable economy is a major societal challenge that requires far-reaching changes to our economic system. The Dutch pension and insurance sector, which manages more than €2,000 billion, can play a crucial role in the sustainability transition by investing more sustainably and by stimulating companies to operate more sustainably. However, cooperation between pension providers (pension funds and insurance firms), pension participants and companies remains limited due to a lack of communication and mutual understanding. This project contributes to this societal challenge by investigating what the pension sector may and can do, and what participants want.

The project consists of the following WorkPackages:

• What are drivers of and barriers in sustainability decisions by individuals?
• How can sustainability preferences and beliefs of pension participants be elicited?
• How can pension providers effectively communicate about sustainability?
• How can pension providers effectively engage with companies on sustainability?
• How can pension providers adequately reckon with sustainable business models in their investment strategies?
• What is the legal context for pension providers to contribute to the sustainability transition?