On 12 November 2024, the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (Autoriteit Financiele Markten, AFM) published its Consumer Monitor Investors report (Consumentenmonitor Beleggers). The key message in the report is that not all asset managers and investment advisors comply with the obligation to ask investors about their sustainability preferences. Only 25% of investors investing with advice or through asset management are asked about these preferences, while 40% of these investors confirm that they consider sustainability to be important in their investment choices.

Sustainability preferences increasingly important for investors

The findings show that a third of investors make sustainable investments and that such investors mainly consider the name of the investment product to determine whether it fits their sustainability goals. For many of these investors, the desire to contribute to positive change in the world plays an important role. However, despite the fact that many investors are willing to include sustainability in their investment decisions, it appears that the industry still lags behind in actively soliciting these preferences. AFM emphasises that investment advisors and asset managers are obliged to ask investors about their sustainability preferences.

Information provision and sustainability

The report shows that independent investors mainly use (historical) price data and websites for their investment decisions. Only 5% of independent investors consult (f)influencers, a significant drop compared to 2022. It also appears that many investors still struggle to understand whether their investments meet their sustainability criteria. Over 40% of investors who consider sustainability important find it difficult to find information on the sustainability of their investments.

For more information and the complete Consumer Monitor Investors, please see the press release.