Q1 2022 spotlight on

ESG AND DATA: THE NEED FOR CONSISTENCY
We assess the need for global consistency and guidelines on sustainable investment.
Highlights from Q1 2022
- We voted at
241
Annual General Meetings
+
84
Extraordinary General Meetings
on behalf of our clients
- We engaged with
31
issuers
for the purpose of raising ESG concerns or seeking further information
-
Examples of engagement with companies included matters such as:
- supply-chain management
- climate change
- human capital management
- food and nutrition
- compensation
- diversity
- board effectiveness
- disclosure
- strategy
Voting profile: Q1 2022
During the quarter, we exercised our clients’ voting rights at a total of 325 shareholder meetings.
Across all regions, votes were instructed against management recommendations on 570 separate resolutions, which equated to 54% of the 325 meetings.
1 In favour of management on all resolutions.
2 Against management on one or more resolutions.
Including abstentions and withhold votes where there was no option to vote against.
3 Took no action owing to share blocking.

0
took no action3

149
in favour of management1

0
abstained

176
against management2
Key issues of concern
ESG quality reviews
We conduct quality reviews analysing the separate ESG aspects of all companies our global sector analysts are considering recommending for investment. These quality reviews are undertaken by our responsible investment team who award an ESG rating score out of 10. Each quarter key issues of concern are identified and are closely monitored by our responsible investment analysts.
Emerging-market companies’ continued timidity in disclosing their approaches and targets in relation to corporate social responsibility and sustainability matters.
US executive compensation arrangements not being aligned sufficiently with performance.
US company auditors serving for multiple decades.
Article amendments which would limit or reduce shareholder rights.

