ESG Policy
Investment Approach and ESG Integration
Baillie Gifford European Growth Trust plc (‘the Company’) believes that it is in the shareholders’ interests to consider environmental, social and governance (‘ESG’) factors when selecting and retaining investments and has asked the Managers (Baillie Gifford & Co Limited as AIFM and Baillie Gifford & Co as portfolio manager) to take these issues into account.
The Managers’ approach to investment is based on identifying and holding high quality growth businesses that enjoy sustainable competitive advantages in their marketplace. To do this it looks beyond current financial performance, undertaking proprietary research to build up an in-depth knowledge of an individual company and a view on its long-term prospects. This includes the consideration of sustainability factors (environmental, social and/or governance matters) which it believes will positively or negatively influence the financial returns of an investment.
Whilst consideration is given to sustainability matters, there are no restrictions on the investment universe of the Company, unless otherwise stated within in its Objective and Policy. Baillie Gifford & Co can invest in any companies it believes could create beneficial long-term returns for investors. However, this might result in investments being made in companies that ultimately cause a negative outcome for the environment or society (see Section 172 statement below).
More detail on Baillie Gifford’s approach to sustainability can be found in its Governance and Sustainability - 2023 Principles and Guidelines document.
Our Adherence to Standards and Codes
The Company’s Managers are signatories to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment and the Carbon Disclosure Project and are also members of the International Corporate Governance Network. Baillie Gifford also became a supporter of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (‘TCFD’) in May 2020 has published its firm-wide TCFD-aligned report in June 2022 Baillie Gifford & Co TCFD Climate Report. The Company's own TCFD report can be found on the Company's webpage of the Managers' website. It explains the managers’ approach to addressing climate-related risks and opportunities through the investment process and describes a current view of how they may impact the portfolio. It also includes data and metrics to provide useful additional information. The Managers’ annual Stewardship Report, which explains how the 2020 UK Stewardship Code has been applied, can be found on the Managers’ website. The Company's Managers have outlined in the Statement of Climate-Related Intent and Ambition their commitment in relation to the investments they make for clients and their commitment to reducing emissions in their firmwide operations.
The Company considers that it does not fall within the scope of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (‘Act’) and it is not, therefore, obliged to make a slavery and human trafficking statement. In any event, the Company considers its supply chains to be of low risk as its suppliers are typically professional advisers. A statement by the Managers under the Act has been published on the Managers’ website.
Section 172 Statement and Due Diligence Policy on Principal Adverse Impacts
Having regard to the Company being an externally-managed investment company with no employees, the Board considers that the Company’s key stakeholders are its existing and potential shareholders, its externally appointed Managers and Secretaries (Baillie Gifford), other professional service providers (corporate broker, registrar, auditors and depositary), lenders, wider society and the environment when applicable.
Whilst the Company’s operations are limited, as third party service providers conduct all substantive operations, the Board is aware of the need to consider the impact of the Company’s investment strategy and policy on wider society and the environment. The Board considers that its oversight of environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters is an important part of its responsibility to all stakeholders and that consideration of ESG factors sits naturally within Baillie Gifford’s investment philosophy and process and with the Company’s aim of providing shareholders with capital growth.
The Managers believe that a company cannot be financially sustainable in the long run if its approach to business is fundamentally out of kilter with changing societal expectations. The Managers consider a number of potential adverse impacts in the context of its focus on long term investment performance. The Managers expect all holdings to operate in accordance with the principles and standards set out in the United Nations Global Compact. When a company’s performance on any material issues is significantly below what is expected, making it a material risk to the long-term performance of their business, and potentially society as a whole, the Managers will engage with management with the aim of improving the relevant policies and management systems. More detail on Baillie Gifford’s due diligence approach to consideration of principal adverse impacts can be found in its Principal Adverse Impacts Due Diligence document.
Stewardship
The Managers believe that they have a responsibility to behave as supportive and constructively engaged long-term investors. The approach favours a small number of simple principles which help shape interactions with companies: Prioritisation of Long-term Value Creation; A Constructive and Purposeful Board; Long-term Focused Remuneration with Stretching Targets; Fair Treatment of Stakeholders; Sustainable Business Practices.
The Managers believe that ‘active ownership’ is as important as selecting the right investments in the first instance. The Managers have adopted a set of guidelines to provide an insight on its approach to voting and engagement. More detail on these guidelines can be found in Our Stewardship Principles.
The Company has given discretionary voting powers to Baillie Gifford & Co. The Managers vote against resolutions they consider may damage shareholders’ rights or economic interests. A summary of votes can be found in the Company’s Proxy Voting Disclosure Report.