Principles of Responsible Investing

We believe that engagement with our investee companies is essential to the extent to which it is necessary to ensure the delivery of preferred outcomes on any issues enhancing their enduring sustainability and valuation in the best interests of our customers. The extent of engagement will vary depending on several factors which include: the requirements as specified in customer mandates, issues that arise as part of our due diligence or analytical process with respect to ESG and financial factors, and the extent to which the issues identified have an impact on company valuation and sustainability.

If the achievement of our objective to enhance the sustainability of our investments appears difficult or impossible in isolation, we will actively seek to engage with likeminded investors to affect the required change. The extent of this engagement would be determined by the extent to which collaboration is required or possible in each specific circumstance.

The execution of proxies and voting instructions is the primary means by which share owners can influence a company’s operations and corporate governance. It is therefore important for share owners to exercise their right to participate in the voting process and make their decisions based on a full understanding of publicly available information.

The Cadiz Asset Management proxy voting policy is currently guided by the ISS International Proxy Voting Guidelines (last update Dec 2011) as well as the ISS SA Specific Guidelines (last update Feb 2012). These guidelines combined with the King III recommendations, the latest version of South Africa’s best practice code, as well as the recent changes to the Companies Act 2008, allow Cadiz Asset Management to lead the field of engagement and proxy voting. Proxy Voting Records 2020 – 2019 – 2018 – 2017 – 2016 – 2015 – 2014 – 2013 – 2012.

The United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment Initiative (PRI) is a network of international investors working together to put the six Principles for Responsible Investment into practice.

The Principles were devised by the investment community. They reflect the view that environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues can affect the performance of investment portfolios and therefore must be given appropriate consideration by investors if they are to fulfil their fiduciary (or equivalent) duty. The Principles provide a voluntary framework by which all investors can incorporate ESG issues into their decision-making and ownership practices and so better align their objectives with those of society at large.

The PRI Initiativewas created after the launch of the Principles to help investors to implement the Principles. The Initiative is managed by the PRI Secretariat and supports investors by sharing best practice, facilitating collaboration and managing a variety of work streams. The Initiative is incorporated as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee.

As institutional investors, we have a duty to act in the best long-term interests of our beneficiaries. In this fiduciary role, we believe that environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues can affect the performance of investment portfolios (to varying degrees across companies, sectors, regions, asset classes and through time). We also recognize that applying these Principles may better align investors with broader objectives of society.

Therefore, where consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities, we commit to the following:

• We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
• We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
• We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
• We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
• We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
• We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.

The Principles for Responsible Investment were developed by an international group of institutional investors reflecting the increasing relevance of environmental, social and corporate governance issues to investment practices. The process was convened by the United Nations Secretary-General.

The revised Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act requires pension funds to consider any factor that may materially affect the sustainable long-term performance of the fund’s assets. Cadiz Asset Management are signatories to the Code for Responsible Investing in South Africa (CRISA). CRISA gives guidance on how the institutional investors should execute investment analysis and investment activities and exercise rights to promote sound governance. To learn more, please read the CRISA FAQs.

We subscribe to the five key principles in the Code:

1. We incorporate sustainability considerations, including environmental, social and governance, into our investment analysis and investment activities as part of the delivery of superior risk-adjusted returns to the ultimate beneficiaries.
2. We demonstrate our acceptance of ownership responsibilities in our investment arrangements and investment activities.
3. Where appropriate, we consider a collaborative approach to promote acceptance and implementation of the principles of CRISA and other codes and standards applicable to institutional investors.
4. We recognize the circumstances and relationships that hold a potential for conflicts of interest and are committed to proactively managing these when they occur.
5. We aim to be transparent about the content of our policies, how the policies are implemented and how CRISA is applied to enable stakeholders to make informed assessments.

GLOBAL INVESTOR STATEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Cadiz Asset Management was one of 285 signatories worldwide of the 2011 Global Investor Statement on Climate Change. As investors we believe that it is important that the climate change and clean energy policy agenda is backed by a credible investment framework.

THE CARBON DISCLOSURE PROJECT (CDP)

The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is an independent not-for-profit organisation working to drive greenhouse gas emissions reduction and sustainable water use by business and cities. CDP reports on and aims to improve the disclosure of the carbon emission levels of major South African listed and unlisted companies.

To view our Conflict of Interest Management Policy click here.