Engagement and Sustainability

International Equity

A strategy seeking attractively priced opportunities outside the United States.

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International Select

A concentrated portfolio of our highest-conviction international opportunities.

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Our analysis focuses on ESG risk in the following areas:

Corporate Governance

Corporate Governance

Is there an independent chairman; a classified board; a majority of independent directors; sufficient shareholder rights; dual class stock; and an appropriate code of conduct?

Environmental

Environmental

What are the environmental risks and how are they managed; what steps has the issuer undertaken to reduce its carbon footprint; are statistics verified by a third party?

Disclosure

Disclosure

Does the issuer produce a sustainability report and participate in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) — and is the reporting thorough?

Supply Chain Oversight

Supply Chain Oversight

How broad is the supply chain and where are suppliers located; does the issuer require suppliers to abide by good policies and what is the oversight process?

Employees

Employees

Is the workforce and management gender diverse; what are the safety processes and safety statistics; is executive compensation performance-based, and is it excessive compared to peers; are collective bargaining rights recognized; are there any concerns regarding forced or child labor?

Litigation and Regulatory Action

Litigation and Regulatory Action

What litigation and regulatory actions has the issuer faced in the past 5 years, and what do those actions say about the issuer, its processes and compliance oversight?

Importantly, the Team engages with issuers on deficiencies found through its proprietary research as we believe that proactive dialogue often serves as a strong complement to utilizing external ESG ratings on issuers. Additionally, we will engage with issuers following each proxy vote against management. We are able to manage client-specific restrictions in a customized mandate. Boston Partners currently manages over $17.6 billion in assets with sustainable and socially screened investments (as of 9/30/2024).

Three Circle Stock Selection Process

In February 2018, Boston Partners signed the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and established the Sustainability and Engagement Team (the “Team”).

The Team is led by Bill Butterly, Director of Sustainability and Engagement, and includes ESG analysts Katie Zona, Jonathan Corning, and Molly Clements.

For investors seeking to maximize potential returns while incorporating comprehensive sustainability standards at the same time, Boston Partners offers the Global Sustainability Strategy. All securities held by Boston Partners’ Global Sustainability Strategy must pass stringent ESG standards while also meeting the same rigorous fundamental financial analysis required for all Boston Partners’ holdings. 

Unique to Boston Partners, the Sustainability and Engagement team does not utilize third party research, rather the team relies solely on its own in-depth proprietary research to evaluate investments available for the Global Sustainability strategy.

Additional ESG Documentation