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Five questions about the impact of the new sustainable finance strategy

News

Published: 03 May 2024

Flatgebouwen met veel beplanting

DNB launches its new sustainable finance strategy. Five questions about the impact on the economy, the financial sector and consumers.

1. DNB lays out its new sustainable finance strategy. What’s new? 

Climate change and the transition to a sustainable society are major and costly processes. Our new sustainable finance strategy specifies what we want to have achieved in four years’ time. By 2025, DNB wants to have sustainability integrated into all its tasks and into its own organisation - in collaboration with the sector, international organisations and sustainability experts. Implementation of the strategy will be coordinated by our new Sustainable Finance Office

2. The financial sector is actively engaged in sustainable finance. What does that entail?

Sustainability risks are taken seriously in the Dutch financial sector. The sector is cooperating well in this area, for example within the Sustainable Finance Platform in the Netherlands which is used for exchanging knowledge and expertise, conducting research and initiating new projects. These activities cover various themes: climate risks, biodiversity loss, SDG impact measurement and mobilising sustainable finance.

3. What does DNB do to further stimulate a sustainable economy?

We conduct research and provide advice to the government. A key priority of supervision is the financial sector's management of climate-related and environmental risks. We also aim to reduce carbon emissions from payments and ensure that payment systems are accessible to all. Where possible, we contribute to improving sustainability standards and regulations. In addition, we are committed to further greening the ECB's monetary policy. Furthermore, we are making our own investments and operations more sustainable in order to contribute to a sustainable economy.

4. DNB supervises banks, pension funds, insurers and other financial institutions. What does the new strategy entail for them?

We expect financial institutions to be aware of sustainability risks and to be able to manage them. We regularly investigate whether this is the case. We assess prospective board members for fitness and take their knowledge of sustainability into account. Furthermore, we will work together with financial institutions to find ways of putting sustainable finance on the map more effectively. For instance, by conducting pilots with the financial sector.

5. What will consumers ultimately notice? Will it for example be easier for people to obtain loans to make their homes more sustainable? Or will they be able to take out insurance against the risks of climate change?

It is important that everyone has access to clear information about how sustainable companies are, and that polluting products are made more costly due to carbon pricing. Then it will be up to everyone to make their own informed choices, and it will really pay off to make sustainable alterations to your home or purchase an electric vehicle. 

DNB seeks dialogue with all its stakeholders. If you have any questions or ideas, please send us an email

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