BNP AM

The sustainable investor for a changing world

Stewardship: a future maker in action

We are committed to being a “future maker1”, using our investments and our ability to engage with companies and policy makers, to advocate for a low-carbon, environmentally sustainable and inclusive economy.

This is why we use stewardship – proxy voting, company engagement and public policy advocacy – to encourage companies and policy makers to improve their performance and accountability on sustainability topics. Promoting good ESG standards is an essential part of our ownership responsibilities. We believe that engagement is generally more effective than exclusion – although divestment can be a last resort.

Stewardship is part of the six pillars of our sustainability approach, and embedded in our Global Sustainability Strategy.

Meet Michael Herskovich, global head of stewardship

Our Stewardship approach is three-fold

Voting

A priority for us as part of our ongoing dialogue with the companies in which we invest is to promote good governance practices.

People

Engagement

Engagement related to voting

Thematic engagement

Engagement linked to ESG performance

Hands around globe

Public policy

We believe that engaging with regulators helps to shape the markets and companies in which we invest and the rules that guide and govern company behaviour.

Our key figures as of 31 December 2022

1 976general meetings voted in total
33%management resolutions opposed
90%support to shareholder proposals on climate

References

ESG = Environmental, Social and Governance

1 In our view, the world has two kinds of investors: future takers and future makers. Future takers stand by and watch how events unfold. Future makers use their influence to help shape the world around them.


Disclaimer

Past performance is not indicative of current or future performance.

Any views expressed here are those of the author as of the date of publication, based on available information, and subject to change without notice. This material does not constitute investment advice.

Investments are subject to market fluctuations and the risks inherent in investments in securities. The value of investments and the income they generate may go down as well as up and it is possible that investors will not recover their initial investment. There is no guarantee that the performance objective will be achieved.

Investing in emerging markets, or specialised or restricted sectors is likely to be subject to a higher-than-average volatility due to a high degree of concentration, greater uncertainty because less information is available, there is less liquidity or due to greater sensitivity to changes in market conditions (social, political and economic conditions).