Restrictions

NN's responsible investment (RI) criteria is based on our NN values and on the UN Global Compact, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

If we assess that companies severely and systematically violate these standards, we initiate an engagement process. When engagement is not considered feasible or is unlikely to change a company’s conduct or involvement in specific business activities, then we restrict companies as a last resort. Adding a company or product to our exclusion list removes our ability to influence environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. 

Types of restrictions

We distinguish between two types of restrictions: conduct-based and product-based.

Conduct-based restrictions

NN expects the companies it invests in to follow relevant laws and internationally recognised standards, such as the UN Global Compact, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. We believe in using engagement to create positive change and will only decide to restrict companies if engagement is not (or is no longer) feasible to change their conduct. This decision is made carefully and only where we believe it is a balanced and proportionate response.

For sovereign issuers, we apply our conduct-based criteria through a restrictions approach. Specifically, we do not invest in sovereign issuers that have arms embargoes issued against them by a UN Security Council. On a case-by-case basis, we may also decide to restrict sovereign issuers on other grounds.

Product-based restrictions

NN applies product-based restrictions to companies involved in the development, production, maintenance, or trade of controversial weapons such as anti-personnel landmines, cluster munitions, biological and chemical weapons, depleted uranium ammunitions, and white phosphorous weapons. Also, companies involved in nuclear weapon activities are also restricted under certain conditions. Furthermore, we also restrict companies that have demonstrable activities related to the arms trade with central governments or non-state actors under a UN or EU arms embargo. NN applies restrictions to companies involved in tobacco production, oil sands production, or thermal coal mining.

Extra restrictions

NN applies additional criteria for proprietary assets, including stricter exclusionary policy criteria and/or thresholds for product-based restrictions, such as for companies involved in nuclear weapons. We also have additional restriction areas, such as shale oil and gas, and arctic oil. Furthermore, we have implemented a phase-out strategy for companies involved in thermal coal. This means that we apply strict criteria for new investments while gradually phasing out current investments. We also have strict criteria for new investments in the oil and gas sector as outlined in our Oil and Gas policy. This approach ensures we invest in companies committed to sustainable business practices and reduces our exposure to fossil fuels.

Restrictions decisions

NN's Responsible Investment Committee is responsible for the decision to restrict a company, which it does based on a thorough assessment. The committee consists of representatives from NN Group's Management Board and senior management team and meets at least four times a year. For controversy-based exclusions, the Responsible Investment Committee is advised by our Controversy & Engagement Council.

If a company on the restricted list show improvements in their policies and business activities, they may be removed from the list and become eligible for investment again. For an overview of restricted companies, see NN Group’s Exclusion list.

oil and gas plant

Oil and gas 

NN Group acknowledges that urgent action is required to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and facilitate the transition to a low carbon renewable economy. In 2023, NN published an updated oil and gas policy that applies strict criteria built on our Paris alignment strategy for new investments in companies involved in conventional oil and gas across the supply chain. Read more details on our approach in the Oil and Gas policy for Proprietary Assets.

 NN Group adopts comprehensive oil and gas policy for own investments

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