Alwin B. Kool

Background

About Alwin B. Kool

I bring over 20 years of international experience at the intersection of sustainability, investments, and governance. Throughout my career, I have led numerous financial and ESG due diligence processes across diverse sectors, combining expertise as both an environmental specialist and an investment officer. My career began at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), where I spent five years working on global environmental policy and sustainability initiatives. This laid the foundation for my later work at FMO, the Dutch development bank, where I spent 15 years as Senior ESG Specialist and Senior Investment Officer. In these roles, I gained extensive experience in financing, structuring, and ESG risk management across emerging markets. In addition, I have served as an independent board member in organizations spanning banking, renewable energy, agriculture, and investment—roles in which I contributed governance expertise, board dynamics, and strategic oversight. I am also a Council Member of the Global Agriculture Forum, contributing to shaping international dialogue on sustainable food systems and agricultural innovation. As co-founder of the Dutch Seaweed Group, I help drive innovation in the seaweed industry, promoting low-impact farming and contributing to the protein transition. Currently, at Atradius, I am responsible for Environmental and Social Risk Assessments, ensuring compliance with OECD guidelines and IFC Performance Standards in areas such as labor rights, community health, and environmental sustainability. With a proven ability to navigate complex, multicultural environments, I maintain strong relationships with corporates, NGOs, and governments to foster innovation and deliver meaningful change. My passion lies in supporting organizations that combine entrepreneurship with social and ecological impact. Specialties Financial & ESG Due Diligence | Investments & Structuring | ESG Strategy | IFC Performance Standards | Corporate Governance & Board Advisory | Board Dynamics | DFI Financing | Agricultural Technology & Innovation | Cultural Transformation | Business Model Appraisal