Eleven Dutch banks, insurers and investment companies have signed a new ‘biodiversity pledge‘ in which they commit to making a positive contribution to biodiversity through their activities and investments.

In total 26 financial institutions in 10 countries, with €3 trillion in assets between them, have signed up to the agreement, which is being launched on the fringes of the UN’s 75th general assembly on Friday.

ASR, Volksbank, Aegon, Achmea, Rabobank and Triodos bank are among the Dutch signatories, but market leaders ABN Amro and ING have not, so far, joined.

The pledge was established by a group of European financial institutions which have been working actively as members of the Finance and Biodiversity Community.