Responsible Investment

Responsible investment is highly prioritized for NVP and its members. 

Sustainability and diversity are not only important social issues but can also contribute to the success of companies.
It therefore plays an increasingly important role in the selection and management of companies. An abbreviation often used in the investment world to denote sustainability is 'ESG' (Environmental, Social & Governance). It means that factors such as energy consumption, climate, health, safety and good corporate governance are taken into account throughout the entire investment process - from selection to exit.

Of course, NVP members also comply with current laws and regulations. To ensure ethical behaviour and promote mutual trust, members abide by a code of conduct and (international) professional standards and guidelines on sustainability and diversity. NVP and its members thus contribute to strengthening the relationship between private equity and venture capital firms, investors, portfolio companies and society. 

Sustainability and diversity
Responsible investment also means respecting sustainability and diversity. Sustainability includes all aspects related to the environment, social responsibilities and responsible governance (Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)). Diversity means that investors are committed to employing more diverse teams based on age, gender, culture, etc. The NVP offers several tools for this. 

Codes of conduct and professional standards
All (new) members of the NVP must adhere to NVP's code of conduct. It was first drawn up in 1986 and last updated in 2020. The code of conduct contains clear agreements on how members of the NVP should act. 

They use the Invest Europe Handbook of Professional Standards as the basis for the code of conduct. This handbook contains the most current principles on governance, transparency, accountability and reporting to investors. This handbook is regularly updated in consultation with both the private equity and venture capital firms and investors that are members of Invest Europe. 

In addition, there are other standards that private equity firms follow, such as standards set by institutional investors or standards set by the United Nations.