Last month, the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU) held consultations with the board of ABP about the dearth of sustainable investment assets within the fund’s overall strategy. ABP’s approach was criticised recently by the Young Academy and Scientists4future, among others.

Justified demand

Completely justifiable, VSNU chairperson Pieter Duisenberg believes: “Universities and researchers think about the future every day, whether it’s about educating young people or researching solutions to social challenges. We want to be the driving force behind real progress.” 

One of the agreements arrived at with ABP is that the VSNU will put together a committee of scientists who can offer solicited and unsolicited advice on the issue. The members of this committee have now been appointed; it will be chaired by Dirk Schoenmaker, professor of banking and finance at Erasmus University Rotterdam.