AXA IM offers path for stewardship that delivers positive outcomes for the environment and society
- 13 February 2020 (5 min read)
- In 2019, climate change accounted for over 40% of AXA IM’s total engagement with companies1 .
- 217 issuers engaged, 6,016 general meetings voted at, and 64,439 proposed company resolutions voted on in 20192 .
- Climate change, biodiversity loss, diversity and public health among the key areas for AXA IM’s stewardship team in 2020 and beyond.
AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) today announces the release of its 2019 Active Ownership and Stewardship Report, which asserts that while the past ten years have seen responsible finance take centre stage, the next ten will be the ‘decade of transition’ for several areas, particularly the environment and society.
Matt Christensen, Global Head of Impact Strategy and Responsible Investment at AXA IM, says: “The next decade will be defined by our ability as an investment and corporate community to turn thoughts, ambitions and desires into tangible action to solve global issues. This is how we can help ensure companies continue to create long-term value for shareholders, stakeholders, and society as a whole.”
In light of this, AXA IM will continue in 2020 to drive positive change at the companies in which it invests, focusing its voting power on key themes such as:
- Climate change: AXA IM will continue its active involvement in Climate Action 100+3 by focusing its engagement with companies in industries which have been slower to embrace the TCFD* framework, such as transportation.
- Biodiversity loss: AXA IM plans to intensify its engagements on such topic. By influencing companies to better monitor and disclose their practices linked to biodiversity and species extinction, AXA IM hopes to be able to promote better practices at the companies in which it invests and more widely in the market.
- Diversity: AXA IM will continue to push companies on diversity right across the business and pipeline, while strengthening diversity thresholds in some markets and expanding the number of markets that fall within the scope of its diversity policy.
- Public health: AXA IM will intensify its engagements on the issue of public health including through its position as the sole investor representative on the Access to Medicine Index’s External Review Committee4 . Such engagement is an important way that investors can deliver impact on sustainability issues. AXA IM will also continue its efforts on drug pricing and transparency.
- QVhBIElNLCAyMDE5IEFjdGl2ZSBPd25lcnNoaXAgYW5kIFN0ZXdhcmRzaGlwIFJlcG9ydCwgMTEgRmVicnVhcnkgMjAyMA==
- QVhBIElNLCAyMDE5IEFjdGl2ZSBPd25lcnNoaXAgYW5kIFN0ZXdhcmRzaGlwIFJlcG9ydCwgMTEgRmVicnVhcnkgMjAyMA==
- aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jbGltYXRlYWN0aW9uMTAwLm9yZy8=
- aHR0cHM6Ly9hY2Nlc3N0b21lZGljaW5lZm91bmRhdGlvbi5vcmcvYWNjZXNzLXRvLW1lZGljaW5lLWluZGV4L2Fib3V0LXRoZS1pbmRleA==
Yo Takatsuki, Head of Environmental, Social and Governance Research and Active Ownership at AXA IM, says: “Humanity is facing a fundamental challenge in the 21st Century. How do we secure sustained prosperity for the world economy while striking a blow against the likes of climate change, biodiversity loss, gender inequality and governance failure?
“At AXA IM, we believe investors can play a pivotal role in tackling these challenges and for us, active ownership is about making the most of our rights as an investor to engage companies in productive dialogue that makes a tangible difference. We have a duty to our clients, to our colleagues, and to wider stakeholders in society to monitor and engage with these companies for the entire time that we hold their stocks and bonds to help protect all our long-term interests.
“It is not enough to simply outline our intentions anymore, we must show exactly how we are driving change. Which is why, this year, we have outlined details of the 217 issuers with which we engaged in 2019 and on what topics to ensure we are fully transparent in presenting our engagement efforts.”
Read the AXA Investment Managers 2019 Active Ownership and Stewardship report.
| 2018 | 2019 | |
| Number of general meetings voted at | 5,932 | 6,016 |
| Number of general meetings where AXA IM did not fully support management | 2,467 | 2,777 |
| Number of votes on proposed company resolutions | 62,665 | 64,439 |
Press contacts
Ellis Ford
Ellis.Ford@axa-im.com | +44 20 7003 1225
Jamie Wynn-Williams
Jamie.Wynn-Williams@axa-im.com | +44 20 7003 2680
Hélène Caillet
Helene.Caillet@axa-im.com | +33 1 44 45 88 06
Notes to Editors
All data and statistics sourced from AXA IM as at 31 December 2019, unless otherwise stated.
* Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
About AXA Investment Managers
AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) is an active, long-term, global multi-asset investor. We work with clients today to provide the solutions they need to help build a better tomorrow for their investments, while creating a positive change for the world in which we all live. With approximately €801 billion in assets under management as at end of September 2019, AXA IM employs over 2,350 employees around the world and operates out of 30 offices across 21 countries. AXA IM is part of the AXA Group, a world leader in financial protection and wealth management.
- Visit our website: www.axa-im.com
- Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AXAIM
- Visit our media centre: www.axa-im.com/en/media-centre
Disclaimer
This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment research or financial analysis relating to transactions in financial instruments as per MIF Directive (2004/39/CE), nor does it constitute on the part of AXA Investment Managers or its affiliated companies an offer to buy or sell any investments, products or services, and should not be considered as solicitation or investment, legal or tax advice, a recommendation for an investment strategy or a personalized recommendation to buy or sell securities. The value of investments may fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested.
Due to its simplification, this document is partial and opinions, estimates and forecasts herein are subjective and subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee forecasts made will come to pass. Data, figures, declarations, analysis, predictions and other information in this document is provided based on our state of knowledge at the time of creation of this document. Whilst every care is taken, no representation or warranty (including liability towards third parties), express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information contained herein. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the recipient. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision.
Issued in the UK by AXA Investment Managers UK Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. Registered in England and Wales No: 01431068. Registered Office: 22 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ.
In other jurisdictions, this document is issued by AXA Investment Managers SA’s affiliates in those countries.