Aegon has been recognized for its best practices in the AEX ESG Index, a new Environmental, Social, and Governance index launched by the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange. Aegon is stepping up its approach to sustainability with a focus on climate change and inclusion and diversity.

Aegon has been recognized in the AEX ESG Index, a new Environmental, Social, and Governance index launched by the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange, for its best practices.

The AEX ESG Index identifies the 25 companies from the 50 constituents of the AEX and AMX indices that exhibit the best Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Euronext, a pan-European stock exchange group, says it is making more sustainable investment tools because investors and the market want them more.

ESG targets for Aegon as a whole
Aegon's shares are traded on the Amsterdam AEX and the New York NYSE. Aegon is now part of the AEX ESG Index, which shows that the company is paying more attention to sustainability. On May 12, CEO Lard Friese talked about Aegon's results for the first quarter of 2022. He emphasized that the company's responsibility went far beyond making money.

He said, "In line with our purpose of helping people live their best lives, we actively contribute to help protect our environment and society. We must take action to create real impact on the economy, the environment and society through our investments and our operations."

Aegon has identified two sustainability priority themes for 2021: Climate Change and Inclusion & Diversity. In this context, Aegon has embarked on a journey to achieve net-zero emissions from its investment portfolio by 2050. To strengthen and accelerate its sustainability ambitions, Aegon has established a Global Sustainability Board, a Global Corporate Sustainability Team, and Local Sustainability Boards in each of its markets.

"Our progress is increasingly recognized by our external stakeholders, as evidenced by the Responsible Investor of the Year award Aegon Asset Management received at the Insurance Asset Risk Awards 2022." said Lard Friese, CEO of Aegon

During the first quarter of 2022 Transamerica, Aegon's business in the US, introduced an innovative retirement plan that offers participants access to ESG investments. Aegon UK added three ESG funds to the investment options available to customers. Aegon Asset Management and Aegon UK had earlier partnered with the Global Ethical Finance Initiative (GEFI) to introduce the new Aegon Global Sustainable Sovereign Bond Fund at COP26.

Aegon is also progressing on its Inclusion and Diversity approach. Aegon the Netherlands, for instance, was the first Dutch corporate to launch an investigation into its own "glass ceiling" to identify the factors that prevent more women rising to senior positions.

Source: Aegon newsroom