CNS-Responsible-Investing 2024 - Flipbook - Page 24
RESPONSIBLE INVESTING
Engagement
At Cohen & Steers, we view engagement as a critical component of our investment process
and a key mechanism for driving long-term value creation. Our engagements are grounded
in fundamental research and focused on 昀椀nancially material ESG issues that may in昀氀uence
corporate performance, risk management, and resilience. While we prioritize companies held in
our portfolios, we also engage with others in our investable universe when we see opportunities
to discuss better practices. This re昀氀ects our broader commitment to supporting improved
standards and creating long-term value both within and beyond our holdings.
Our Approach
Our engagement e昀昀orts are led by investment
professionals, including portfolio managers and
research analysts, who are closest to the investment
thesis. We prioritize engagement topics based on their
potential impact on long-term shareholder value and
employ three complementary methods:
• Individual Engagement: Our primary method,
involving direct dialogue with company
management, boards, investor relations, and
occasionally regulators or underwriters. These
conversations focus on material ESG issues and
are tailored to company-speci昀椀c circumstances and
strategic objectives.
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COHEN & STEERS | RESPONSIBLE INVESTING
• Proxy Voting: As 昀椀duciaries, we vote proxies in
alignment with long-term client interests. ESG
considerations are fully integrated into our proxy
voting process, which is led internally by investment
teams based on proprietary research and
engagement insights. We do not outsource
proxy voting.
• Collaborative Engagement: While direct
engagement is our preferred approach, we also
participate in select industry groups and initiatives
that support best practices in areas such as
disclosure, governance, and climate risk. These
collaborations help us contribute to broader
conversations shaping the investment landscape.
