In this piece:
Dear Reader,
Boston Common’s Shareholder Engagement work in 2023 impacted companies worldwide. By leading initiatives and collaborating with stakeholders, we advanced corporate progress on ESG issues. But our efforts were not limited to corporations alone. We also addressed policymakers, advocating for increased standardization and enhanced corporate ESG disclosure practices that support investment decision-making.
Whether engaged in dialogues with portfolio companies or persuading policymakers to use influence responsibly, we aim to act as a resource, offering best practice insights and global peer comparisons on ESG issues. Our sustained engagement approach led to incremental progress and meaningful advancements in 2023, evidence of our role as experts and leaders on ESG issues worldwide. In 2023 and in the years ahead, we will continue to use our resources to create positive corporate change, activating investor capital toward solutions for people and the planet.
With Gratitude,
Managing Director, Head of Stewardship & Engagement
Report Highlights
Ethical AI
As co-leading, founding investors of the World Benchmarking Alliance Ethical Collective Impact Coalition, we have helped oversee a 58% increase in adoption of Ethical AI principles among benchmarked companies.
Net Zero
We engaged the highest relative contributors to portfolio emissions and companies without climate targets across all strategies, resulting in a 14% increase in internationally aligned targets since 2021.
Biodiversity
We developed a Biodiversity Policy and completed a biodiversity assessment, which will inform our ESG research and engagement priorities in 2024 and beyond.
UN PRI
In our latest assessment, the UN PRI awarded us a five-star rating in two core categories in 2023: Policy, Governance, & Strategy, and Active Fundamental.
Invest with Us
This piece is intended as an editorial review of a survey of risk considerations and does not constitute investment advice, a solicitation, or an offer to buy or sell any security. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investments involve risk, including the risk of loss of principal.
Company developments described in this report occurred during the period of our engagement but should not be assumed to have resulted from Boston Common’s activities. Where we believe our engagement contributed to a development, we describe the basis for that assessment.
References to third-party research, publications, and data sources are provided for informational purposes only. Boston Common Asset Management does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of third-party information cited herein. Readers should consult original sources and qualified professional advisors before making any investment decision.
