The President and CEO of Calvert Research and Management, John Streur, testified last week to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Read on to hear why Mr. Streur was on Capitol Hill, and how different components of Socially Responsible Investing are being advocated for at the national level.
– Katelyn
Washington – Yesterday, I had the privilege of testifying before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on the subject of “The Application of Environmental, Social, and Governance Principles in Investing and the Role of Asset Managers, Proxy Advisors, and Other Intermediaries.” The forum offered an opportunity to address how ESG investment strategies have evolved in recent years and to discuss public policy and regulatory matters relevant to our industry.
In my testimony, I discussed those topics, and outlined the business case for incorporating ESG considerations into the investment process. I also noted how corporate disclosure standards have evolved over time, and how when it comes to the issue of standardizing disclosures related to ESG risk factors, the United States could go further to ensure our capital markets continue to remain competitive relative to other developed economies around the globe. Finally, I provided insight into how Calvert conducts our structured engagement and how we use proxy advisory firms.
To read my testimony and view the hearing, click here.
Bottom line: I hope this opportunity to engage with policymakers further contributes to the public dialogue on how best to balance the ongoing competitiveness of U.S. capital markets, investment management firms and corporations with the need to ensure that our capitalist system achieves the most sustainable future possible.