Scroll Up Top
Print icon
Print
Philosophy

Engagement Philosophy

We believe engagement is an effective way to drive performance and positive change for the companies we hold in our portfolios. Leveraging our rigorous research process, we work directly with companies to improve corporate behaviors and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable society.

Engagement Approach

Calvert has a long history of collaborating with companies to encourage them to improve corporate behaviors and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable society.

Direct Dialogue

Through ongoing discussions with management or boards, we raise concerns and reach agreements to improve a company's ESG policies.

Proxy Voting

We use proxy voting to register support or concern about corporate governance, management, social or environmental issues.

Shareholder Proposals

When engagement has not made progress, we can add a question to the company’s ballot on an ESG topic for a vote of all shareholders, demonstrating broad-based investor concern about the issue.

Multi-Stakeholder Work

Calvert may use coalitions and partners to further amplify our voice and work for positive change in key issue areas.

Public Policy

Calvert seeks opportunities to collaborate with government and regulatory agencies, NGOs and influential public policy groups to educate and inform on the importance of responsible investing and ESG factors in legislative and societal frameworks.

Outcomes

Experience has taught us that active management with the companies we invest in can drive real-world outcomes and improve shareholder value.

Download our Engagement Report
Tools-of-Change-thumbnail_Active Engagement.jpg

Strategic Engagement Activities

We use the following strategic engagement activities to encourage positive change in companies:

  • Direct Dialogue
    We engages directly with management to raise concerns and identify opportunities to minimize a company's risk or transform an operational practice that our research indicates could lead an increase in shareholder value.
  • Shareholder Proposals
    In cases where direct dialog and other efforts go unheeded, we often file a shareholder resolution to encourage and influence operational progress. Sample topics we work towards: Greater Broader Diversity, Clean Water, Stewardship, Increased Sustainability Disclosure, etc.
  • Public Policy Initiatives
    We work with regulators and policymakers to ensure that they are informed about our position on critical issues such as shareholder rights, conflict materials and revenue transparency.

Proxy Voting

Calvert believes that proxy voting is the most direct means by which investors can influence corporate behavior. Calvert casts votes on a company's shareholder resolutions base on its proxy voting guidelines.

Visit the proxy voting database to view voting decisions for Calvert mutual funds and variable portfolios.

Proxy Voting Database

Engagement Coalitions and Partners

One of the most effective ways to drive positive change is through collaborative engagements. Calvert works with numerous organizations and investors on important engagement initiatives to help companies improve their performance on financially material ESG issues. Some of our engagement partners include:


Taking action to increase gender diversity on boards and senior management teams.

The Thirty Percent Coalition is a campaign group of business chairs and CEOs who are focused on boosting female representation at the board and C-Suite level in the world's biggest companies.


Elevating human capital management as a critical component in company performance.

The Coalition engages companies and other market participants with the aim of understanding and improving how human capital management contributes to the creation of long-term shareholder value.


Advancing the goal of expanded access to affordable and quality medicine by focusing on corporate governance practices and policies that support a fair, sustainable and transparent industry.

IOPA is a diverse coalition of global institutional investors that engages with opioid manufacturers, distributors and retail pharmacies on opioid business risks that have implications for long-term shareholders, communities and the economy.

Engagement Team

The team works directly with companies to drive positive change in areas such as setting GHG reduction targets, improving diversity, and adopting water stewardship policies. Those engagements can run for several months or years.

Meet the Team