HEC Research Papers Series,
HEC Paris

Abstract: We study climate-risk related engagements by one of the world's largest investors. Climate risk engagements represent a growing fraction of ESG engagements and are more frequent in high carbon emissions industries. We find that firms with greater carbon footprint and greater exposure to climate transition risk are more likely to be targeted. Following a climate risk engagement, targeted firms are more likely to commit to adopt a science-based climate target and to disclose climate-related information. Targeted firms also experience a reduction in their carbon emissions. However this reduction is limited to scope 1 and 2 emissions and its magnitude is inconsistent with net-zero targets. We also find that climate risk engagements are associated with greater voting support for management. Overall, our results suggest that shareholder engagement on climate issues can be an important tool in the fight against climate change.

Keywords: Shareholder Engagement; Climate Change; Carbon Emissions; ESG; Activism

JEL-codes: D62; G23; G32; G34; M14; Q54

57 pages, January 28, 2025

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