Responsible Investment

Responsible Investment is embedded across Waterland’s investment lifecycle. As a long-term investor and active shareholder in European companies, we work with portfolio companies to identify sustainability-related risks and opportunities, strengthen resilience and support long-term positioning and value creation.

For more information on our approach, governance and portfolio progress, please see our Responsible Investment Report.

From ESG Foundations to Long-term Value

Our Responsible Investment approach has evolved from building strong ESG foundations to supporting measurable long-term value through sustainability. We work with portfolio companies to identify material risks and opportunities, strengthen resilience and improve performance.

Recognising that companies differ in size, sector and maturity, we apply a pragmatic and tailored approach. This includes portfolio-wide tools, training and playbooks, as well as targeted engagement to help companies address their individual priorities and opportunities.

Maturity

03

Value creation

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Value creation plan support, scalable playbooks, tailored guidance

02

ESG Integration

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Pre- & post-investment engagement, thematic planning, targets

01

Foundations

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Governance, data excellence, reporting & compliance, tools

Our Responsible Investment Journey

Since 2008, Waterland has progressively expanded its Responsible Investment (RI) approach, introducing new policies, governance structures, tools and engagement initiatives to support the integration of sustainability considerations throughout the investment lifecycle and help portfolio companies unlock value through sustainable growth.

Milestones

2008

  • Sustainability introduced as a core investment theme

2013 – 2014

  • Responsible Investment Policy & Committee put in place
  • Portfolio-wide ESG KPI monitoring started

2015

  • Became a UNPRI signatory
  • Internal ESG KPIs monitored

2021-23

  • Dedicated RI Team set up
  • Three SFDR Article 8 funds raised
  • Fund level sustainability-linked bridge facility contracted

2024

  • First RI Report published
  • Target of 100% of companies having a decarbonisation plan by 2030 set
  • Joined Climate International (iCI)

2025

  • Started targeted portfolio engagement with a focus on strategic value creation opportunities
  • Sustainability-linked value creation manager recruited
  • 98% ESG reporting completeness achieved for 35 key KPIs
  • 98% of companies in scope reported Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and 61% have a decarbonisation plan
  • Joined the ESG Data Convergence Initiative (EDCI)

Responsible Investment Policy

Waterland’s Responsible Investment Policy has been in place for more than ten years and is reviewed and updated regularly. This policy formalises our approach to:

integrating sustainability considerations into each stage of the investment lifecycle, from screening and due diligence through to ownership and exit

systematically identifying, monitoring, and managing ESG-related risks and opportunities that may affect the value of our investments

working with portfolio companies to mitigate risks, strengthen sustainability performance and support long-term resilience and value creation

Sustainability Highlights

Our 2025 results reflect the progress we are making across the portfolio through annual sustainability monitoring and targeted engagement.