What impact does Degroof Petercam have on biodiversity and nature?

For Degroof Petercam, the main biodiversity impacts – and also the biggest levers – are almost exclusively in our scope 3 activities: the investments we manage for our clients. As an asset manager, we consider it essential to inform our clients and to include biodiversity in our analyses and discussions, given its major impact on the economy.

What actions is Degroof Petercam taking to protect and enhance nature on its own sites?

Before our participation in the learning network, biodiversity was mostly discussed informally, without a clear plan of action. Today, we participate in Nature Action 100, an initiative where investors encourage companies to address biodiversity issues. Our approach is two-track: on the one hand, we aim to raise clients’ awareness of the risks and opportunities presented by biodiversity; on the other, we continue to actively encourage companies we invest in to take action.

What are the biggest challenges in integrating biodiversity into your business model?

Data. Finding reliable, accessible data and useful indicators is not obvious. Biodiversity is a very broad topic and cannot be captured in one or two parameters. For many companies, terms such as “endangered species” or “water consumption” remain abstract concepts, making it difficult to prioritize them. This makes the topic very complex, and sometimes polarizing.

How did The Shift’s community of practice help you take steps forward?

We entered the program with an awareness of the importance of biodiversity, but without a concrete starting point. The sessions provided us with a clear overview of emerging frameworks as well as the chance to learn from others with similar questions. The informal approach – sharing a coffee and hearing how others approach it – was very inspiring. It gave us insight and the desire to go further.

What are your plans around biodiversity in the near future?

Since our participation in the Action Lab, our asset management arm, DPAM, has committed to be an early adopter of theTaskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures ( TNFD) framework. By 2025, we will report on how biodiversity affects our clients’ assets. We have chosen a data provider that focuses specifically on biodiversity and are currently conducting analyses to gather insights. Based on those results, we will align our actions with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. What started at DPAM will also inspire other parts of the group. It is challenging, but the momentum is there.

What tips do you have for other companies looking to get started around biodiversity?

Start by identifying your current situation. In finance, this means identifying data providers. In industrial sectors, it’s best to start with life-cycle analyses. From there you can take small, concrete steps. And above all: seek dialogue with other sectors and colleagues. People really enjoy sharing their insights. This is not about secret recipes. Biodiversity is a challenge for all of humanity, not just your company. Collaboration is crucial.