Riverwater Partners believes Responsible Investing is in the best interest of our clients, our firm, our communities and our society. Therefore, we consider Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies, practices, and outcomes, alongside traditional investment criteria, when evaluating companies.
We seek best-in-class ESG efforts generally; and as active investors, we engage company executives and boards to improve their ESG efforts. It is our goal to promote greater impact over time with respect to improved corporate governance, fair treatment of all stakeholders, greater environmental stewardship, and ultimately, superior financial outcomes and real economy benefits.
ENVIRONMENTAL
We target companies working towards conserving energy and using renewables in their supply chains while avoiding firms with a history of poor environmental practices. We encourage companies to both actively measure their total environmental impact and set sustainability goals.
SOCIAL
We focus on investing in companies that encourage diversity in their workforce, have the best health and safety records in their respective industry, and engage in active discussion surrounding human rights and community issues.
GOVERNANCE
Good corporate governance ensures fair treatment of shareholders, customers and employees. In this realm, we look for diverse boards among the talent, race and gender spectrums. We prefer to invest in companies with separate CEO and Chairman roles, well-aligned compensation structures, non-staggered boards and those that have instituted sustainability reporting.
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ENVIRONMENTAL
We seek companies whose practices protect the planet. We consider energy consumption, water use, emissions reductions, waste reduction, recycling programs and attention to supplier environmental practices.
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SOCIAL
We seek companies that value all people. We consider fair treatment of employees, employee diversity, worker safety, product safety, supply chain human rights, and giving back to the community. We encourage companies to adopt policies and practices that treat all stakeholders fairly.
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GOVERNANCE
We seek companies with strong corporate governance practices. We consider executive diversity, board diversity, independent board chair/CEO roles, executive pay tied to performance, and stock ownership requirements. This diversity of thought and experience, as well as alignment of interests, ensures that companies work to protect people, planet and profit.
STRENGTH IN COLLABORATION
Collaboration with Responsible Investment thought leaders informs our practice and deepens our engagement.
RIVERWATER SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Our 2019 Sustainability Report highlights the ESG efforts and positive impact of our holdings, how we engage with our them to improve those efforts and our own sustainability efforts at Riverwater Partners.
RIVERWATER ESG GUIDELINES AND POLICIES
Proxy Voting Guidelines. (We actively use proxy voting as a tool to encourage companies to incorporate ESG principles and improve ESG efforts.)