Environmental Policy and Economics Speaker Series: A talk on “Measuring the Impact of Shareholder Engagement”

• When: October 24, 2012
• Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
• Location: River Building 5208, Carleton University
• Email contact: dperreault@sustainableprosperity.ca

You are invited to attend the second event of a new joint Carleton University and University of Ottawa speaker series. On Wednesday, October 24th, Dr. Tessa Hebb and Heather Hachigian will present a talk entitled: 

Measuring the Impact of Shareholder Engagement

Abstract: Large institutional investors in Canada are increasingly seeing the value in mobilizing shareholder rights to effect change in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards of companies in their investment portfolios. Engagement activities range from quiet conversations and private consultations, to minority shareholder resolutions and proxy votingbattles. The effectiveness of engagement, both in terms of enhancing shareholder value and improving the ESG standards of companies, is often cited as a reason to maintain ownership of a company rather than divest when company ESG standards are below acceptable levels. This paper argues that corporate engagement has the potential to produce a positive change in company behaviour. It asks what are the factors in engagement that lead to successful outcomes? The paper seeks to quantify observed positive change in corporate ESG standards that result from engagement.

To download/view a larger version of the
event poster, please click the picture below.