What does COP15 mean for investors and companies?
Fast Reading Global Biodiversity Framework includes four goals for 2050 and 23 targets. We advocated for the framework to require the alignment of public and private financial flows with biodiversity goals and targets. To support the implementation of the GBF, companies must reduce their contribution to the five main drivers of biodiversity loss. Hopes were […]
EOS 2022 Annual Review
Fast reading Engaging on the rising cost of living and sexual harassment Progress report on EOS’s Climate Action 100+ activities Q&As with engagers on deforestation, methane emissions and digital rights Case studies on LyondellBasell, Starbucks and Alibaba 2022 was dominated by food and fuel price inflation, creating a cost of living crisis as household budgets […]
Lifting the lid on packaging and food waste
Plastic packaging has a key role to play in the global food system, protecting perishable items and extending the shelf life of fresh produce. However, this is exacerbating the problem of plastic pollution, with progress to reduce plastic waste driven mainly by recycling, rather than the elimination of single-use plastic. Estimates published by climate action […]
Seven & i Holdings case study
Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. manage and operate group companies with a wide variety of business operations including convenience stores, superstores, food services and financial services. We have had a longstanding engagement relationship with Seven & i dating back to 2008 when we first challenged the company on board independence, diversity, and low profitability […]
JD.com case study
JD.com is a leading Chinese supply-chain-based technology and service provider, and is one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world with over 580 million annual active customers. In engagements with the company from 2018, we have raised our expectation for the separation of the roles of CEO and chair of the board, and questioned […]
Alibaba case study
We have engaged with Alibaba on corporate governance since 2015 and ESG strategy and reporting since 2017. With respect to the former, we first raised concerns about lack of shareholder communications in 2015 and insufficient board and committee independence in 2016, which the company acknowledged. Between the years 2018 to 2021, we engaged with the […]
Delta Electronics case study
We first engaged with Delta Electronics in 2020 when it was yet to commit to a longer-term net-zero target. It also had a significant proportion of migrant workers from Southeast Asian countries working in Taiwan and we were concerned about the human rights issue in the foreign migrant workers’ recruitment process. The company also had […]
LandMark Optoelectronics case study
LandMark Optoelectronics engages in the research, design, manufacture, and sale of laser epitaxial wafers and optoelectronics wafers. It specialises in the manufacture of wired communications machinery and equipment, and electronic components. We started our engagement with LandMark Optoelectronics on climate data disclosure and target-setting in 2018 by regularly meeting with the CFO. We requested the […]
Public declaration of voting recommendations
The ability to vote at company meetings is a fundamental shareholder right available to investors in most jurisdictions and is a key pillar of stewardship, enabling shareholders to hold companies to account and protect their long-term interests. EOS at Federated Hermes1 provides stewardship services to clients, including engagement and voting recommendations. Occasionally, EOS publicises certain voting […]
Why cheap palm oil is a price the planet can’t pay
Palm oil is used in 70% of cosmetic and personal hygiene products, including soap bars, toothpaste and face creams. It is also a key ingredient in staple foods such as bread and margarine, as well as treats such as chocolate, ice cream and biscuits. Its natural preservative qualities help to extend the shelf life of […]
