The Dutch pension fund ABP, for those working in the public sector, has invested €11.5m in Next Sense a software developer that helps make buildings smarter and more energy efficient.

The Amsterdam-based company's software has already been installed in many buildings worldwide and has help achieved significant energy savings. The money from the investment will allow Next Sense to continue to grow both domestically and internationally.

Next Sense's software gives property owners insight into a building's energy consumption. Artificial intelligence can then adjust energy and lighting systems so that buildings use less energy.

This investment, which was made through ETF Partners, is a so-called impact investment. These investments have a clear aim of making a positive, measurable social and environmental impact.

ABP recently published a new investment policy, in which it pledged to make €10bn available for these types of investments in the Netherlands. Besides risk, return and cost, sustainability in particular plays a major role. This investment falls under the ABP Netherlands Energy Transition and Biodiversity Fund (ANEB).

According to ANEB senior portfolio manager, Lodewijk Meens, this investment fits well with ANEB's mandate.

"Next Sense's smart software brings buildings to life to innovatively control and optimise all systems in a building, realising significant positive environmental impacts. We are very much looking forward to working with Next Sense to make the built environment more sustainable,” he said.

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