Roland Mees
My purpose is to help individuals and institutions to take sustainable action. Since human beings seem to have problems with their motivation for these actions, institutions must implement policies. I contribute to help transforming banking into a force that facilitates sustainable action. A banking sector that uses its best efforts to preserve the planet for future generations is worthy to be trusted. Alongside my full time job, I obtained a PhD in Practical Philosophy at Utrecht University
Biography
In my working life as a banker, I am the architect, initiator and sales director of the Sustainability Linked Loan. This product couples the interest rate on a loan for general corporate purposes to the client’s year-on-year sustainability performance improvement. Such improvement to be measured by an ESG rating agency or through an audited set of material sustainability key performance indicators (KPIs).The first ever syndicated EUR 1 billion Revolving Credit Facility for Royal Philips NV won the GlobalCapital award for the Green/SRI Loan of 2017.
Education
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PhD, Utrecht University, 2017
MSc, Utrecht University, 1985
MBA, Erasmus University/Rotterdam School of Management, 1987
MA (cum laude), Utrecht University, 2010
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
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Fueled by many corporate scandals at the start of the 21st century, I felt the need to start a more reflective process in addition to the pragmatic reality of the organizations I worked for. During my studies in philosophy, I specialized in topics such as: managerial integrity, responsible banking, and the necessity of communicative action in organisational change processes. The research question of my MA thesis was: can the political requirement for a sustainable society be based on an account of the rights of future generations?
My MA thesis formed the kick-off for the PhD project that I started in 2011. I was intrigued by the observation that people in the affluent countries are hampered in their motivation to act sustainably, whereas they accept the outcomes of climate science and agree to the ethical requirement to change one's non-sustainable behaviour. The motivation problem for taking sustainable action comes to expression in the phrase: Eating less meat, but what's in it for me?
Personal Interests
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Since the age of seven, I am an enthousiast violin player. Having received a 'classical' education, since my days as a student in Utrecht, I play Hungarian gypsy music together with friends. I consider this music to be an integral part of Europe's immaterial cultural heritage that we must preserve for the future.
Websites
Books
Articles
Minder vlees, wat schiet ík daarmee op?
Published: Jun 01, 2018 by NRC (in Dutch)
Authors: Roland Mees
Subjects:
Philosophy
Many people in the affluent countries agree that they should do something themselves about climate change. However, if when it comes to taking action as an individual, they seem to be blocked. Why does this happen?
Banken tegen DSM: hoe duurzamer jullie zijn, hoe minder rente we rekenen
Published: May 30, 2018 by Trouw (in Dutch)
Authors: Koos Schwartz
Subjects:
Business, Management and Accounting, Environment and Sustainability
If DSM achieves or exceeds certain sustainability objectives, the group will receive a discount on the interest. If it does not achieve those goals, it must pay extra interest. ING is one of the fifteen banks that granted the special credit.
News
University of Groningen
By: Roland Mees
I am pleased to announce that, as of 1st September 2022, I have been appointed Professor of Practice of Business Ethics at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen (parttime).