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Our ESG approach

ESG is integral to how we invest. 

EXPLORE

A fully integrated approach

At Capital Group, ESG is part of our investment process, not a separate product. ESG issues are woven into The Capital SystemSM, as well as our fundamental research, due diligence and engagement. We believe our approach can help you achieve better results over time.

See how the three elements of our approach integrate ESG into our investment decisions.

How it works

We designed our ESG approach to identify the issues that can matter most to investors. It is built on three tightly woven parts: ESG investment frameworks, a multilayered monitoring process and engagement and proxy voting. Each element reinforces the others, which makes the system smarter over time.

Investment frameworks
Monitoring process
Engagement & proxy voting

Investment frameworks 
Analysts identify the ESG issues that are material to each sector.

30+

30+

Investment
frameworks

Investment frameworks

200+

200+

Analysts

14

14

Years of 
experience

Years of tenure

Annual data as of 31 December 2021.

We look beyond third-party data and spend thousands of hours on our own research. With an average 14 years of experience, our analysts understand the challenges of each industry they cover. They know the right questions to ask. Our sector-specific frameworks focus on the most important ESG issues when evaluating a potential investment.

Frank Beaudry, Capital Group analyst, explains how he identifies ESG issues that influence his investment decisions in the mining industry.

Research framework in action: US Health care services sector

Monitoring process 
We carefully screen securities for key ESG considerations.

We gather data from industry-leading third-party data providers, news reports and company statements, but that's just the start. To decide which investments raise potential ESG concerns, we overly our own propriety frameworks and deep research. Low-rated holdings are flagged for review, and analysts provide detailed insights on the particular issues.

The breadth and depth of our on-the-ground research coverage mean we dig deeper and don't always agree with conventional ratings.

Our monitoring process has four steps.

STEP 1

ESG data 
aggregation

ESG data aggregation

One database combines our own ESG research and third-party ratings, e.g., MSCI, Sustainalytics, and UN Global Compact assessments.

STEP 2

Identifying and
flagging risks

Identifying and flagging risks

Our system flags key ESG issues based on our sector-specific investment frameworks, as well as third-party data and standards.

STEP 3

Evaluation and documentation

Flagged holdings require enhanced research and review. Insights and engagement are recorded.

STEP 4

Assessment
and review

Assessment and review

If there are outstanding concerns, the Issuer Oversight Committee provides and additional layer of review.

Monitoring our 
global equity strategy

Portfolio holdings are subjected to ESG screens using multiple leading data providers and risk methodologies. Click the chart below to see the percentages of flagged and non-flagged holdings.

Data as of 31 December 2021
Source: Capital Group. Figures may not total 100 due to rounding. Donut chart reflects the total of all covered holdings at the issuer level. In other words, multiple issues by a company have been rolled up into that single entity and are aggregated at the asset level. Monitoring process comprises equity securities and corporate bonds. Certain holdings are currently not covered by third-party monitoring providers. Rank in overall portfolio is based on weight. Our process for equities and corporate bonds draws on six indicators from MSCI and Sustainalytics and flags issuers that present potentially higher ESG risk. These indicators capture materially lower ESG performance relative to peers, heightened governance risk and potential violations of international norms via the UN Global Compact.

Engagement & proxy voting
We gather more information with each new engagement

We believe ongoing dialogue and engagement with companies and issuers are stronger tools then exclusion when seeking long-term, sustainable results. Based on learnings from our monitoring process, our investment professionals engage with management teams to understand their goals. Building long-standing relations gives us an opportunity to positively shape and lead industry standards. And as a large, active asset manager, we can adjust our investment decisions based on our findings.

Proxy voting is integral to our role as investment stewards. Our investment professionals are central to determining votes, supported by a specialist Global Stewardship & Engagement (GSE) team. Read our proxy voting policies and procedures to learn more.

Our approach to investment stewardship applies to our own business practices and is implemented globally. Beyond our direct engagement with individual companies, we join international agreements and industry initiatives that address ESG themes and focus on improving our communities and environment.

20,000+

20,000+

20,000+

annual meetings

annual meetings

annual meetings

can provide powerful leverage with management teams.

Annual data as of 31 December 2021.

2,100+

1,850+

1,850+

shareholder meetings

shareholder meetings

shareholder meetings

at which we voted keep us engaged and influential on behalf of our investors.

Annual data as of 31 December 2021.

13

17

17

specialists

specialists

specialists

dedicated to governance and proxy issues. In 2021, our investment professionals had 965 ESG-specific engagements with more than 500 organizations in which we hold shares..

As of 31 December 2021.