SDG Engagement Equity: 2021 H1 Report

Will Pomroy, Head of Impact Engagement – Equities and Lead Engager Small & Mid Cap Equities

Hamish Galpin, Director, Head of Small and Mid Cap, Lead Manager of Global Small Cap

18 August 2021

|Recent thinking

Launched in January 2018, the Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity Fund has the dual purpose of delivering attractive returns and measurable real-world impact.

When we were writing the commentary for our H1 report in 2020, few would have predicted that 12 months on many of us would still be working from home and Covid-19 infections would be rising again. Thankfully, there is now light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccines are being rolled out – quickly in some areas and much too slowly in others – but rolling out, nonetheless.

There are silver linings. The impact of the pandemic has led to a heightened interest in issues of sustainability, among investors and corporates alike. We have been pleased to see ever more of our investee companies coming forward with sustainability reports. More pleasingly, we have welcomed them reaching out to us for our input before publication and seeking our assistance in shaping both their approach and their disclosures.

We’re looking for much more than greater disclosure, of course. Nevertheless, this enhanced reporting is testament to the work that is taking place behind closed doors. It is genuinely heartening to note the real commitment of many management teams to making a real social and/or environmental contribution and their recognition that this fits well with their financial goals.

In our 2021 H1 Report, we reflect on our engagement efforts so far this year, present our investment review and take a deep dive into SDG 1 (no poverty). What progress did we achieve during the first six months of 2021?

SDG Engagement Equity: 2021 H1 Report