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Responsible investing: What does good engagement look like?

We consider what good investor engagement looks like.
September 2020
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Responsible Investment Team

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This year we are celebrating 20 years of running our investor engagement programme, having engaged with 5,588 companies on important environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

The way investors conduct engagement has transformed over the past couple of decades. From a niche approach largely confined to faith-based investors, engagement has developed significantly to become a mainstream investor activity. In fact, it’s largely part of what it means to be an investor in the 21st century.

We view engagement not only as a tool for identifying and managing risks, but also as a route to creating positive impact for the environment and society. In the coming decade, we expect a focus on the real-world outcomes of engagement, as we move towards the 2030 target date for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

So what do we believe good engagement looks like? Find out below.

Risk Disclaimer

The value of investments and any income derived from them can go down as well as up and investors may not get back the original amount invested.

Views and opinions have been arrived at by BMO Global Asset Management and should not be considered to be a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any companies that may be mentioned.

The information, opinions, estimates or forecasts contained in this document were obtained from sources reasonably believed to be reliable and are subject to change at any time.

Focusing our dialogue

Integrating ESG issues into business strategy
0 %

BMO GAM engagements at Board or senior executive level*

Comprehensive

Engaging companies across asset classes and geographies
0 %

countries covered by BMO GAM engagement **

World and flower icons

Impactful

Delivering positive outcomes
0

instances of positive change in ESG practices recorded since BMO GAM engagement began

0 %

outperformance from successful engagement1

0 %

Current BMO GAM engagement linked to the Sustainable Development Goals***

Bold

Backing up engagement with clear escalation strategies and a willingness to use voting power
0 %

BMO GAM votes cast against management in 2019

Collaborative

Working with other investors and wider stakeholders
0 US$

trillion****

Working with other investors and wider stakeholders
assets represented by the Climate Action 100+ initiative
* 2006-2019
** 2006-2019
*** 2019
****2020
1 Does not indicate BMO Performance. This statistic is based on an academic paper on engagement and financial performance. Source: Active Ownership: Dimson, Karakas & Li (2012)
Use our handy glossary to look up any technical jargon you are unfamiliar with.
Glossary
Discover more about the history of investor engagement and, importantly, what we believe it will look like in this critical decade for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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BMO Global Asset Management is a brand name that comprises BMO Asset Management Inc. and BMO Investments Inc. Certain of the products and services offered under the brand name, BMO Global Asset Management, are designed specifically for various categories of investors in Canada and may not be available to all investors. Products and services are only offered to investors in Canada in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements. Any information contained herein is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax or legal advice to any party.

®/™Registered trademarks/trademark of Bank of Montreal, used underlicence.
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