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ESG Voting Policy Overlay

Align voting to ESG principles, research & engagement

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New regulations and stakeholder pressure are creating the need for investors to demonstrate their commitment as responsible owners that view corporate accountability as a means of achieving greater long-term value. In Europe, the Shareholder Rights Directive II requires transparency around voting and engagement and, in North America, voting is considered part of investors’ fiduciary duty with engagement being a natural extension of voting proxies. This underscores the benefit of aligning voting and engagement activities.

 

Annual Reports

 

Morningstar Sustainalytics’ ESG Voting Policy Overlay supports a holistic approach to stewardship by providing voting recommendations that are based on:

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ESG Principles & Sustainability Signals

Our policy overlay is designed to provide investors with expert guidance on ESG focused shareholder resolutions and management proposals, looking beyond traditional corporate governance measures to align with Morningstar Sustainalytics ESG Principles or the SDGs.

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Investor Driven Research Signals

Based on the previous proxy season’s proposals and votes, we identify ESG topics that have strong support among investors. Morningstar Sustainalytics’ ESG Risk Ratings are then used to identify companies where the management of these issues is assessed as weak.

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Engagement Signals

As part of our Engagement Services, we explore all avenues of stewardship with a focus on constructive dialogue. An issuer’s willingness to engage and authentically work toward change objectives that are in the best interest of shareholders is a cornerstone of the vote recommendations driven by our policy guidelines.

 

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Net Zero Climate Governance

Many financial institutions have set the goal of reducing portfolio greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 and taking action to advance economy-wide decarbonation. We aim to support our clients by encouraging the most carbon intensive companies, beginning with large fossil fuel companies, to align corporate governance arrangements with climate targets consistent with Paris Climate Agreement goals.

 

Key Features and Benefits

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Comply with Stewardship Responsibilities

Choose your level of participation and where to focus your own efforts while leveraging Sustainalytics’ support to meet stewardship responsibilities and comply with relevant regulation.

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Holistic Stewardship Strategy

Seamlessly align voting and engagement activities to shared investor concerns, robust ESG principles and the latest ESG research.

Use Cases

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1. Portfolio Management

Voting seeks to influence corporate behavior in clients’ holdings and the societies in which they operate.

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2. ESG Integration

Voting on research signals enables fuller ESG integration and aligns messages across different products.

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3. Shareholder Collaboration

By voting in alignment with Morningstar Sustainalytics research and principles, clients will, together with likeminded peers, collaboratively advance their sustainability agendas.

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4. Stewardship

Voting demonstrates a commitment to be a responsible shareholder.

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5. Fiduciary Duty

Engaging with high risk portfolio companies is a key element of stewardship codes and guidelines for responsible investors, such as EU Action Plan on Sustainable Finance on Long Term Shareholder Engagement, the EU Shareholder Rights Directive II and more.

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6. Engagement

Voting supports engagements, which address material ESG issues that may end up on companies’ AGM agendas.

Deliverables

Voting recommendations

Post-AGM report on Engagement and Voting Activities

Industry Requirements

Given the global nature of our business, Morningstar Sustainalytics is working to implement equal measures across all its affiliates, such as to enable alignment with the industry requirements that apply to providers of voting recommendations in different jurisdictions. An overview of the measures implemented by Morningstar Sustainalytics is available here.

 

Morningstar Sustainalytics’ mission is to provide the insights required for investors and companies to make better informed decisions that lead to a more just and sustainable global economy. We believe that when investors and companies embrace ESG meaningfully, it will create long-term value that benefits all stakeholders, including shareholders. The cornerstone hereof is mutual trust, which is built on transparency. We have captured these values in a set of principles that are aligned to widely accepted norms, standards and sustainability objectives. For more information, please see Morningstar Sustainalytics' ESG principles.

Morningstar Sustainalytics’ ESG Voting Policy Overlay is intended to work in tandem with traditional corporate governance voting policies, supplementing it with guidance, analyses and recommendations on ESG topics. It can be used in combination with clients’ own policies or that of a third-party policy and provider. With regards to corporate governance voting items, Morningstar Sustainalytics supports the International Corporate Governance Network’s (ICGN) Global Stewardship Principles and Global Governance Principles as overarching guidelines on best practice.

Why Sustainalytics?

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A Single Market Standard

Consistent approach to ESG assessments across the investment spectrum.

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Award-Winning Research and Data

Firm recognized as Best ESG Research and Data Provider by Environmental Finance and Investment Week.

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End-to-End ESG Solutions

ESG products and services that serve the entire investment value chain.

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30 Years of ESG Expertise

800+ ESG research analysts across our global offices.

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A Leading SPO Provider

As recognized by Environmental Finance and the Climate Bonds Initiative.

Related Insights and Resources

ESG Shareholder Resolutions: The Big Three Still Hold the Key | Morningstar Sustainalytics

ESG Shareholder Resolutions: The Big Three Still Hold the Key

This 2024 report sheds light on the voting trends observed among asset managers and showcases the voting records of the Big Three index firms. It also highlights how shareholders are responding to the growing volume of resolutions addressing ESG themes.

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Getting to Impact: Integrating Double Materiality in Responsible Investment Strategies

Learn the key distinctions between financial, impact and double materiality and the related implications for issuers and investors.

Material Matters: The Role of ESG Materiality in Sustainable Investment Strategies

In this article we define ESG materiality and highlight what investors need to know when considering the materiality of ESG issues in their investment portfolios.

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On Location: ESG Engagement in Turkey and Saudi Arabia

Our Stewardship Team shares insights from a recent company engagement trip. Learn about the ESG-related progress being made by companies in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Related Solutions

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Thematic Engagement

Engage on the most challenging ESG issues, from climate change to human capital. 

Learn More
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Material Risk Engagement

Engage on the most material ESG risks identified by the ESG Risk Ratings. 

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Global Standards Engagement

Engage with companies that breach international norms and standards as identified by our Global Standards Screening research. 

Learn More