Bank of Montreal (BMO) case study

Background As the financial services industry increases investments in digitisation, we are monitoring the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to ensure companies have robust oversight processes that include monitoring of potential algorithm bias to encourage an emphasis on protecting digital rights. We engaged with Bank of Montreal (BMO) in establishing comprehensive […]

Too risky to cover?

For decades, physical risk insurers and reinsurers have priced their premiums using complex probability models informed by past events. In some years, earthquakes and hurricanes might lead to bigger claims than expected, but over the long term, the pricing models would ensure that profits and losses were smoothed out. Yet the rapidity with which the […]

Public Engagement Report Q3 2024

Fast reading Insurers are exiting certain markets as physical climate risks rise and losses mount. EOS asks insurers to demonstrate how they embed climate-related considerations into their product design and pricing, as well as their capital adequacy decisions. With insurance losses from hurricanes Milton and Helene expected to run into the billions, and extensive flooding […]

Associated British Foods (ABF) case study

Background Associated British Foods (ABF) engages in the business of manufacturing and trading of consumer goods. One of its businesses, Primark, is among Europe’s largest clothing retail companies and accounts for almost half of ABF’s turnover. Historically, Primark clothing had a reputation for low cost and bulk provision of clothing with a limited lifetime and […]

AstraZeneca case study

Background AstraZeneca is one of Europe’s leading pharmaceutical companies, primarily focused on oncology, biopharmaceuticals, and rare disease. In 2014, as part of its defence against the Pfizer takeover bid, the company announced an ambitious revenue target. EOS identified robust succession planning for both the CEO and the chair as integral to the achievement of a […]

COP16 to challenge governments to deliver on Biodiversity Plan

Fast reading We expect to see progress towards the successful and comprehensive implementation of the Biodiversity Plan at COP16. Resource mobilisation and scaling up financing for nature from all sources will be key focus areas for negotiations. Financial institutions will address their nature-related risks and impacts through underlying changes at the companies they invest in […]

Dominion Energy case study

Background Dominion Energy is an American utility company that supplies electricity and natural gas to homes, businesses, and wholesale customers. It operates through its power delivery, power generation, and gas infrastructure business segments in 15 states serving nearly seven million customers.¹ We have been engaging with the company on its climate strategy since 2011, including […]

UN AMR meeting to tackle superbugs

Fast reading AMR is a systemic problem, often caused by the misuse or overprescription of antimicrobial medicines, particularly within livestock farming. There are growing regulatory and operational risks associated with AMR, ranging from its sale, use and efficacy, to discharge and wastewater pollution. EOS has been engaging with companies on AMR since 2017, alongside our […]

Sainsbury’s case study

Background Sainsbury’s is the UK’s second largest food retailer and we have been engaging the company since 2008. Oxfam research published in 2018 had found that supermarkets’ inaction on systemic issues within global food supply chains indicated that both companies and investors were exposed to unidentified levels of risk.1 Our engagement We raised supply chain […]

Disputes proliferate in fractious vote season

Shareholders attempting to exercise their rights found themselves frustrated this vote season as recalcitrant companies pushed back on investor escalation. Meanwhile, proxy contests increased in the US following regulatory changes, allowing shareholders to consider dissident nominees alongside the company’s preferred options, with a high-profile three-way battle at Disney. Biodiversity made a strong showing via resolutions […]