Biodiversity has top priority for PME

Biodiversity is crucial for the continued existence of a healthy and resilient nature. Without sufficient variation in plants and insects, nature becomes increasingly vulnerable. This also has a negative effect on our future prosperity and quality of life. The decline in biodiversity is also a threat to our long-term investments, which is why PME, together with PMT and our fiduciary manager MN, has become a member of the international Partnership for Biodiversity Accounting Financials (PBAF).

Within PBAF, financial institutions work on joint definitions and a joint approach to measure and report on the impact of their investments on biodiversity. This produces a better understanding of what positive or negative impact investment choices have on biodiversity. It also shows the risks for returns and for the environment. This information helps PME make better and more considered choices for preserving and improving biodiversity. It creates uniformity and allows us to make relevant comparisons.

Marcel Andringa, member of the executive board of PME: "In addition to climate change, the threat to biodiversity is the next existential crisis humanity is facing. That's why I am proud we have joined the Partnership for Biodiversity Accounting Financials (PBAF). PBAF has the extremely important mission to create a joint approach to measure the impact of loans and investments on biodiversity. We believe the financial sector should play a key role in reducing the loss of biodiversity and contributing to the sustainable use, protection and recovery of nature. This is just one of the many steps PME takes to include biodiversity in our investment portfolio as a whole."

PME believes it is important to take action towards companies that are highly dependent on biodiversity and/or have a major impact on biodiversity themselves. PME, PMT and MN, together with a number of other investors, are in dialogue with companies about preventing deforestation in their supply chains. Deforestation is one of the largest threats to biodiversity worldwide. To this end, we use satellite images that produce up-to-date information on deforestation around the globe.