At BMO Global Asset Management (GAM), we recognize the inextricable links between the health of our planet, society and economy. That’s why we believe that environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of business activities is a driver of long-term value creation and, alongside other factors, forms a part of our research and considerations for company selection. Tackling sustainability challenges is a global effort that addresses the world’s most urgent issues. As an asset manager, we take our responsibility seriously through our comprehensive responsible investment (RI) approach, which involves considering ESG factors, thoughtfully engaging with investee companies, consistently exercising our shareholder rights to vote, producing new insights through our thought leadership, and building responsible investment solutions for our end clients. We continued to make progress on our two core ESG themes of climate action and social equality this year, reaching several milestones1 in our engagement pursuits, adding key memberships and investor commitments, and publishing a number of thought leadership pieces on topics such as vaccine equity, carbon credits, hydrogen’s role in the net-zero transition and Indigenous rights. We look forward to expanding our research and outreach to advance progress on these important ESG themes.