In our latest Member Good Practice Spotlight, we recognise Robeco for its data-driven and systematic approach to embedding biodiversity into stewardship and investment decision-making.
What does effective biodiversity stewardship look like in practice? Robeco offers a strong example. The firm demonstrates how investors can translate biodiversity ambition into measurable outcomes through active ownership and structured engagement.
Their approach combines:
- Large-scale, targeted engagement with around 300 companies annually, including dedicated nature-focused engagements
- Collaboration with global initiatives such as Nature Action 100, PRI Spring, and CDP Forests to amplify impact
- A proprietary engagement scoring framework to track progress and assess company performance over time
- A clear escalation strategy through proxy voting, including voting against management at high-impact companies where biodiversity performance falls short
- The use of internal tools such as the Biodiversity Traffic Light to evaluate companies across key drivers of nature loss and guide priority setting
By integrating biodiversity considerations into both engagement and investment processes, Robeco aligns portfolio decisions with nature-related risks and impacts. This structured and measurable approach reflects a mature model for embedding biodiversity into stewardship practices.
A practical example of how FfB Pledge signatories are turning commitments into action.
“Embedding biodiversity in stewardship is not just about risk mitigation — it’s about shaping the future resilience of our investments.”
– Peter van der Werf, Head of Active Ownership, Robeco
Read more about how Robeco advances nature-positive outcomes through active ownership and engagement, and explore the impact of our community.
Support for financial institutions on how to engage with companies
The objective of the FfB Engagement with Companies working group is to support financial institutions in integrating biodiversity into stewardship practices and corporate engagement. Members share experiences, discuss emerging approaches, and explore effective strategies to drive nature-positive outcomes through active ownership.
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