VP Capital first investor in Benelux to obtain validation from SBTi

The SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) is a collaboration between CDP, the UN Global Compact, the World Resourced Institute, and the World Wildlife Fund. The initiative, which was launched in 2015, motivates companies to achieve, with their sustainability efforts, the ambitious goal of the Paris climate agreement to limit the global temperature rise to a maximum of 1,5°C. Last year, VP Capital signed the commitment to define the objectives. These concrete objectives have now been validated by SBTi. 

The climate targets relate to the emissions of VP Capital itself, the companies in which it invests directly (HAVEP, Batenburg Techniek, Mediahuis, Q-lite, VP Landbouw, and VP Textile), the real estate portfolio and listed companies. In addition to direct emissions, this also means VP Capital’s indirect emissions. In total, this means 85% of the entire invested capital. VP Capital was advised and guided in this process by sustainability consultancy Sustainalize. 

Sustainalize supported the company by clarifying the requirements to comply with SBT and partially calculating the CO2 footprint of their portfolio.

Guus van Puijenbroek, director of VP Capital: “We want to make a measurable contribution to the effective realization of the Paris Climate Agreement. By basing our goals on SBTi’s scientific methodology, we can work with our partners to accelerate sustainable progress. Our investments must become even more future-proof and contribute to our mission to create a positive impact on people and the environment. This is only possible by setting ambitious goals that contribute to solutions for planetary and societal challenges, without losing sight of our returns.”

In addition, VP Capital also wants to obtain a B Corp certification. By achieving a B Impact Assessment score of at least 80 out of 200, the family fund aims to meet the high social and environmental requirements that B Corp sets for the certification. B Corp not only considers environmental efforts in its assessment but also social aspects, such as inclusion. As its starting point, B Corp has initiated business for good so companies can both take the profit they make for the company and society into account.

VP Capital deploys its capital and network to enable sustainable progress for the next generations. The family office has also developed its own sustainability model to serve as the basis for the evaluation of potential investments. VP Capital also wants to inspire other (family) funds to think about their own investment approach and how they can use their capital for investments that have a positive impact on the environment.