Axp Assignment

**AXP**

This assignment is part of the unique Academic Excellence Program (AXP). This program is a cooperation between MN and PGGM, two leading Dutch pension fund service providers. Students will get the opportunity to work alongside investment professionals, collaborate with other students and learn about institutional investing. On regular AXP-days all students in the program will come together in The Hague or Zeist to share ideas, learn from each other, attend presentations from investment teams and discuss job opportunities.

**Research topic**:
Biodiversity is the diversity of life on earth, and commonly broken down into three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity - each important and interacting with and influencing the other two. Biological diversity is crucial for the functioning of ecosystems and the services they provide to economies and societies, such as drinking water, pollination and climate regulation. The global decline in biodiversity is putting pressure on ecosystems and ecosystem services.

Within the investor community, there is an increasing sense of urgency to address both risks associated with biodiversity loss, and the impact of our investment portfolios on biodiversity. Companies in our investment portfolio are exposed to physical risks, transition risks and systemic risks, which can result in financial losses. Via key drivers of biodiversity loss, including changes in land use, overexploitation, pollution, climate change and invasive species, our investments have an impact on biodiversity.

A first step for investors is to map the dependencies, risks, impacts and opportunities associated with their investment portfolios. Despite significant advancements in the ESG data landscape in recent years, investors still need to get a comprehensive understanding of different data sources and usability, especially in the area of biodiversity. This research assignment focuses on collecting data to identify biodiversity impacts and risks within our investment portfolios, and developing methods to effectively utilize this data. The student will be tasked with:

- Development of a data framework in which all key drivers of biodiversity loss can be assessed, including:

- Identification of material sectors per driver of biodiversity loss;
- Identification and prioritization of relevant metrics for each sector.
- Developing methods for collecting relevant biodiversity data, prioritizing first-hand resources such as annual reports and available questionnaires like CDP, and evaluating current data provided by companies and data providers and its usability for investors.
- Developing a methodology to determine risk and impact exposure of our portfolio to (a selection of drivers for) biodiversity loss.
- Identifying opportunities for positive impact.

The specific focus of the assignment, and corresponding research questions, will be established in consultation with the student.

**Your work environment**:
The graduation student will be placed in the Responsible Investment team of MN. The Responsible Investment team consists of 15 specialists who advise clients on their responsible investment strategies, the integration of environmental, social and governance issues in investment decisions and the design and execution of MN’s active ownership programs. The student will work closely with specialists from the Responsible Investment, equities and corporate bonds’ teams.

**MN as an employer**:
MN is the third largest fiduciary and asset manager for pension funds in the Netherlands, including PMT, PME and Koopvaardij, managing approximately EUR 150 billion. Over 35.000 companies (employers) in various industries are affiliated with our clients, representing about 2 million pension fund participants in total. We invest globally in equities, government
- and corporate bonds, loans, real estate and private equity.

**As a MN employee, you can expect**:

- A monthly internship allowance;
- Emphasis on work-life balance and flexibility in working hours;
- Numerous opportunities for learning and personal development and a calendar filled with social events;
- Hybrid working environment as the default, with a modern office building in the center of The Hague. It is easily accessible by public transport and has in-house facilities for exercise, relaxation or a refreshing coffee from our in-house Barista;
- The internship should be scheduled within the first half year of 2025. For this assignment the main location will be MN in The Hague.

**Contact**: