Bas Rüter

"SRI puts sustainable development back on the agenda of stock quoted companies."

As a sustainable investor, Triodos Investment Management seeks to invest in companies that function in line with its values and that deliver long-term value in harmony with society and the environment. A company that intends to deliver long-term value must effectively manage its relations with all stakeholders and be responsive to their needs and possibly changing demands. Triodos Investment Management believes that those companies that balance these interests effectively will deliver maximum value to all stakeholders, including their shareholders.

Where appropriate, Triodos Investment Management will seek to discuss issues with regard to social, environmental and ethical performance of companies. As a manager of a number of Socially Responsible Investment funds, we feel we have the power and the responsibility to encourage companies to improve their business practices. Large multinational companies have become so large these days that they can easily escape their (social and environmental) responsibilities by moving their business practices around the world. International laws are not keeping up in order to control or influence the behavior of companies. Because companies rely heavily on investors to finance their growth, the responsibility and role of investors to change the behavior of companies is becoming increasingly important.

Triodos Investment Management sees dialogue as a way to enhance the business performance and the ‘license to operate’ of companies. We address their business practices and impacts and suggest possible improvements. In exercising our power we exclusively focus on the long term strategy and planning of companies. We will not put pressure on companies to perform on the short term, thereby converting the attention of the companies away from their long-term survival.