ESG in Action

Companies are beefing up their DEI initiatives to attract and retain employees amid increasing regulatory requirements. DEI can contribute to an inclusive corporate culture and provide firms with a distinct edge over less-proactive competitors. For investors, the key is knowing which criteria to look for when evaluating companies.

With the right policy guidance and financing, state-owned enterprises can help China make progress in its green reform agenda.

Climate change is intensifying. Models and scenario analysis combined with human insight can help measure the cost to companies.

Companies that integrate ESG goals with executive pay incentives are more likely to deliver on their responsibility pledges to stakeholders.

As the proxy season opens, the scope of shareholder activism is broadening. More companies are being asked to redefine themselves to benefit all stakeholders. Investor efforts to enhance shareholder value via proxy votes will need to be adjusted for this changing environment.

Gauging the potential impacts of climate change on a company’s valuation or portfolio performance is extremely difficult. At AB, we’ve partnered with Columbia University’s Earth Institute to conduct an extensive review of existing climate change scenario-analysis providers and their various approaches.

Investors seeking to promote improvements in corporate behavior can't stand on the sidelines. By participating in proxy votes, AB's equity investment teams aim to get ahead of activist shareholder trends while bolstering our engagement efforts on ESG issues.