We have respect, for everything and everyone around us. Both in life and in our work. We strive for impact and are committed to achieving our goals, on all fronts and at all times.
This mindset aligns perfectly with our ESG policy. We do not invest in sectors or companies that have a negative impact on the environment or society. We also actively participate in several sustainability initiatives and map our companies' carbon emissions. Together with the management teams, we continuously devise initiatives to reduce these emissions.
When assessing potential transactions and after we have invested in a company, we consider ESG issues in all three areas.
In addition, Nordian is actively involved in and supports initiatives to help others, especially in situations where they could use such support. For many years, we have been a partner of OnlyFriends, a fantastic sports club in Amsterdam North for children and young people with disabilities. We are also an active partner of Forward Inc, assisting newcomers to Dutch society with their entrepreneurial plans. Nordian is committed to developing more female investment professionals and is therefore a partner of Female x Finance, among others.
Nordian is CO2-compensated since 2019. All companies in the Nordian portfolio, and Nordian HQ itself, have committed to measuring their CO2 emissions and reducing their output every year. Remaining emissions are compensated at the end of each year through a forestry partnership with LandLife.
‘This is not an intention or a long-term project, but a fact of everyday life in the Nordian group,’ says Gregor Beusmans, partner at Nordian and initiator of the program.
CO2 emissions of all portfolio companies are calculated every quarter by an independent specialist. Each portfolio company together with Nordian continually works on programs to reduce emissions. For example, through changes in the production process or switching to suppliers of green energy.
The emissions remaining at the end of the year are then offset by investing, through carbon credits, in projects that focus on forest planting and other sustainable goals.
To offset CO2 emissions over 2022, the Katingan Mentaya project has been selected. This project realizes both environmental impact (CO2 reduction through reforestation and by maintaining peatlands) and social impact (a.o. access to education and basic services, improvement of basic infrastructure for local communities, and microfinancing program for local women).
Since 2019, the cost of CO2 offsetting has been carried by our portfolio companies. Thus, they have a financial incentive to reduce CO2 emissions.
Why?
‘Worldwide, companies are the largest sources of CO2,’ says Beusmans. ‘With €320 million invested we are a mid-sized firm in the Netherlands, and a tiny factor worldwide. But we believe in the saying ‘Change the world and start at home.’ We’re doing this because we think it’s right.’
Investors have not been put off by the program, which after all – modestly – reduces the return on their investments. During the fund raising round for Fund III, most were actually very supportive.
The companies in the Nordian portfolio, active in various sectors from software to agriculture to ICT, have all signed up to the project.
"We continuously develop our product portfolio with sustainability in mind. In addition to these sustainable innovations, we work on good involvement with our employees and society. All stimulated by the ESG program of Nordian!"
