Climate change – engagement in action | �۶��Ƶ United States of America

We launched a three-year engagement program on climate change in 2018. The objective of our dialogue with 49 oil and gas and utilities companies is to support the transition to a low carbon economy.

From the start of the program through to the end of 2019, we've organized 128 meetings with the companies in the focus list. 29 of the 49 target companies have been engaged collaboratively through Climate Action 100+ (CA100+). We're also leading an increased number of CA 100+ coalitions: seven in 2019, compared to five in 2018.

In-depth analysis on the companies in the focus list has been completed to assess:

Alignment with the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) recommendations
Evidence of the Board's oversight of climate related risks and opportunities and integration in remuneration packages and board selection processes
Evidence of integration of climate change in risk management
Existence of scenario analysis and reflections on impact on the business model
Disclosure on strategy and initiatives for reducing GHG emissions
Disclosure of goals and progress to reduce normalized GHG emissions
Ensure consistency of indirect and direct lobbying activities on climate change with the Paris Agreement

Based on this original assessment we've identified tailored engagement objectives for each company in the list. After more than 18 months of dialogue with the companies, we have been able to assess progress against these objectives for 26 companies.

For the remaining 23, we decided to coordinate at least another additional meeting with management before being able to assess the current level of responsiveness.

The table below summarizes our measure of progress in the engagement focus list so far:

A summary of our measure of progress in the engagement focus list so far with 15% good with 50-75% of objectives met, 19% excellent with 75-100% of objectives met, 27% have been limited with 0-25% of objectives met and 39% where only some objective met (25-50%).

Case Study 1

Sector: Oil & gas

Region: Europe

Topics addressed: Strategy

Engagement

�۶��Ƶ AM has been engaging with the company within Climate Action 100+, alongside two other investment managers. The engagement has been focused on the company's strategy to transition to a low carbon economy.

Outcome

During the course of the dialogue, the company took significant steps to meet shareholders' requests on climate change. These included the development of an intensity reduction target, including scope 1,2 and 3 emissions, and the increase of climate change targets linked to executive pay. Management is expanding low carbon energy activities and intends to increase its market share in gas and electricity distribution in its local market.

At the end of 2019, the company committed to undertake a global review of lobbying activities by Q3 2020 and pursue positive lobbying dialogue on climate change. The company has also committed to net zero emissions by 2050 in alignment with the Paris Agreement, becoming the first oil & gas company to do so. Future dialogue will focus on actions which can deliver on these positive ambitions and enhanced information on scenario analysis.

Case Study 2

Sector: Utilities

Region: North America

Topics addressed: Strategy

Engagement

In 2019, we met with the CEO and CFO of the company as a follow up to an earlier meeting in 2018. We were impressed by the progress from the company over the last 12 months, including scenario analysis and targets aligned with below 2°C global warming, a first climate assessment report aligned with the TCFD expectations and increased uptake from consumers of energy efficiency programs.

Outcome

In December 2019, the company announced a plan to reduce carbon emissions by over 90% by 2040 compared to 2005 levels. In addition, they've announced a target of net zero methane emissions for the company's gas delivery system by 2030. Financial performance has also been positive. Future conversations will focus on the inclusion of climate targets in executive compensation and the potential commitment for net zero total emissions by 2050.

Case Study 3

Sector: Utilities

Region: Europe

Topics addressed: Strategy

Engagement

During 2019, we met with the company’s chair of the Supervisory Board and the head of sustainability on several occasions to discuss the implications of recent regulatory developments on retiring coal plants and the company's overall climate change strategy. Topics under discussion included:

Imminent acquisitions in the space of renewable energy
Science based targets
Executive remuneration linked to climate change targets
Oversight of lobbying activities on climate change

Outcome

At the end of 2019, the company set the target of net zero GHG emissions by 2040, raising standards for peers in the sector. The company has also committed to future disclosure in alignment with the TCFD recommendations and the introduction of climate targets in LTIP plans from 2021.

Finally, the results of a global review of lobbying activities on climate change will be shared with the market before the next AGM in 2020. Future dialogue will focus on the definition of a coal phase-out plan in alignment with the Paris Agreement. As a result of this engagement dialogue, we've increased exposure to this company through some of our active equity strategies.

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