Sustainability - ESG
Driving long-term value creation
At AvH, we believe that sustainability supports long-term value creation across our diversified investment portfolio, combining the following aspects:
Environmental (E)
with climage change and energy transition as group-wide priorities
Social (S)
fosters adaptability and a future-proof skill set through talent management” and stakeholder engagement
Governance (G)
provides the foundation, embedding as responsible shareholder ESG in business culture.
Built on a foundation of family values and more than 150 years of entrepreneurship, our clear mission is to be the preferred long-term partner in building high-performing market leaders and contributing to a more sustainable world.
Our values and principles guide our approach as an active shareholder in engaging with each company within our investment portfolio. Beyond investing capital, we closely work together with leadership teams to enhance organizational resilience, facilitate transitions, and identify opportunities for growth.
ESG ratings & dashboard
Our ESG approach continues to be recognized by relevant rating agencies.
- Sustainalytics, with is primary focus on ESG risk and governance, confirmed its Negligible ESG risk rating (score 8.9), ranking it in the 5th percentile among sector peers.
- The UN PRI confirmed its 4-star rating for ‘Responsible Shareholder’.
- CDP maintained our B rating for ‘Climate Change’.
AvH is also included in the BEL ESG Index by Euronext.
Our ESG performance is measured against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are visualized in our ESG dashboard.
Our approach to ESG
As an active owner, Ackermans & van Haaren applies ESG through a business-focused lens. We embed it in the culture and business models of our portfolio companies and tailor it to their specific context. Guided by four group-level material topics and informed by ongoing stakeholder engagement, our approach builds resilience, supports effective risk management and drives long-term value creation across the portfolio.
Resilience & opportunity
We act because long-term value must continuously be built.
- Resilience-focused: We support management teams in shaping sustainable business models, grounded in governance, adaptability and future-readiness.
- Opportunity-led: ESG requires an innovative mindset. Good governance also improves the innovation approach. Climate change, energy transition and talent management are risks but strategic growth levers as well. Through them, we can also be part of the solution to societal and environmental challenges, including our investments in life sciences
Embedding ESG through active ownership
At AvH, we recognize that ESG is not a one-size-fits-all approach. As a multisector holding, we operate in a decentralized way, empowering each group company to lead within its own expertise. At the same time, we remain closely connected: as long-term and active shareholders with board representation, we strive to facilitate meaningful dialogue and to share insights across the group. Together, we integrate ESG into strategy, operations and business culture at our group companies, building long-term value.
4 materials topics as our group priorities
Our ESG ambition is shaped by four material topics having an impact on the AvH Group as a whole:
- Responsible Shareholder
- Talent Management
- Climate Change
- Energy Transition
These topics serve as common group priorities and are complemented by company-specific priorities. This approach reflects our belief that ESG must be tailored to drive meaningful, strategic impact.
Focused stakeholder engagement
At Ackermans & van Haaren, we regard stakeholder engagement as a key lever for building sustainable business models. We adopt a tailored approach that ensures relevance for our diverse stakeholder groups, from long-term family shareholders and investors to group company management teams, employees and partners. Their insights and expectations are considered in shaping our ESG priorities.
ESG stories at our portfolio companies
More stories
DEME
Video shows how DEME is addressing sustainability
DEME has conducted a double materiality assessment to look at how its activities impact the world and how environmental and societal changes affect its business. This two-way view helps DEME identify the most important topics and align them with its strategic goals.
V. Group
Towards a sustainable shipping industry
Earlier this year, our portfolio company V.Group released its ESG Disclosure for 2024. The ability to tackle and engage with ESG matters how V.Group believes it will be judged in the years to come.
Biolectric
Winner of Trends Impact Award 2025 for climate action
Our portfolio company Biolectric won the Impact Award 2025 for Climate Action (in the large company category), organized by Belgium's leading business weekly Trends. CFE, another portfolio company was nominated for the Circular Economy Award, and ended second.