Impact Investing
Boston Trust Walden has been at the leading edge of impact investing for nearly five decades. Impact investing seeks to generate positive social and environmental impact alongside financial returns.
Since the 1970s, Boston Trust Walden has used active ownership strategies to address complex social and environmental issues.
As investors, we encourage the companies in which we invest to adopt better environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies and practices because we recognize companies that effectively manage sustainability risks are better positioned for success. Our active ownership initiatives span a range of issues and strategies with an aim to enhance the long-term prosperity of investors, businesses, the economy, and society.
How We Achieve Impact
Boston Trust Walden uses active ownership to strengthen the sustainability policies, practices, and public reporting of the companies in which we invest client assets. Our multi-faceted approach to active ownership is designed to amplify our impact across three issue areas: climate risk, equality, and governance. Our in-house team uses a range of tools and strategies to engage companies and policymakers both directly and in coalition.
ESG Analysis: Researching and integrating ESG factors into investment decisions
Company Engagement: Communicating directly with company management or boards
Shareholder Resolutions: Filing proposals for vote at company annual meetings
Proxy Voting: Voting on items in annual company proxy statements
Public Policy Advocacy: Engaging at the local, state, national, and international levels
Investor Collaborations: Partnering with stakeholders to accelerate and amplify impact
Thought Leadership: Raising the bar with respect to ESG analysis and active ownership
We believe well managed companies value input from investors and other stakeholders that aims to improve the sustainability of their business by limiting risk and protecting or enhancing shareowner value. Active ownership is a tool we use to further that aim.
Engagement Focus Areas
Boston Trust Walden focuses its active ownership efforts on climate risk and equality, and governance. In addition, we seek to be responsive to engagement opportunities that may arise, such as initiatives related to human rights and labor standards, deforestation, water risk, and animal welfare.
Impact Results
We report on the results of our active ownership efforts in our annual ESG impact report. We also share examples of actions we have taken on behalf of our clients to transform the systems that guide corporate decision-making and accelerate impact to address climate risk and persistent inequality.