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Investors in Ethical Funds back positive screening and engagement
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Socially responsible investors in Ethical Funds Inc. want their funds to focus on positive social and environmental issues more than negative screens, according to results of a new investor survey. On Sept. 14, Ethical Funds Inc. released results of a survey that assessed the social and environmental values of its 200,000 unitholders. The survey asked unitholders to rank the importance of socially responsible investment screening criteria. The survey provides some insight into the motivations of socially responsible investors in Canada. While efforts to screen out tobacco companies, weapons manufacturers and nuclear power companies are important, investors are placing greater importance on environmental issues, workplace conditions, and human rights. "Our investors have indicated that they want us to continue to exclude from our portfolios companies operating in the tobacco, weapons, and nuclear power industries," said Robert Walker, Vice President, SRI Policy and Research. "At the same time, they're telling us to focus more attention on the more profound social and environmental issues that today confront our society." The survey also confirms that investors want Ethical Funds to adopt proxy voting guidelines. When asked what investing responsibly means to them, 59% said "helping corporations act in a responsible manner." Investors want Ethical Funds to "use strategies like corporate dialogue, proxy voting, and shareholder advocacy to prompt companies to improve social and environmental performance," Walker said. For more information, visit Ethical Funds Inc.
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