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EM Equity ESG Report 2024

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by RBC Emerging Markets Equity team Dec 10, 2024

We share our ninth annual Emerging Markets Equity ESG report.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) has formed part of our philosophy and process since the inception of the RBC Emerging Markets Equity Strategy (“the strategy”) in 2010, and we have continuously strived to expand our knowledge and efforts in this space. We have looked to invest in management teams that share this ethos, focusing on companies that promote a culture of excellence, who look to build strong relationships with all stakeholders and invest for the long term.

In this year’s report, we explore a range of topics extending across ESG factors. We also provide highlights of our activities as active owners, including company engagements, proxy voting, and case studies.

Given that we have been formally recording our engagements for several years now, we explore the question of how patient we should be with companies when assessing their progress and seeking positive improvements. We also assess the use of third-party ESG rating providers and why it is important to do our own ESG research.

We share highlights from our work on climate change, which is one of the team’s focus areas of engagement. After three years of conducting an annual net-zero assessment of companies in the strategy to assess exposure to climate transition risks as part of our investment philosophy and process, we are pleased to report progress in terms of company targets, disclosures, and strategy-level metrics. The strategy currently has a 79% lower weighted average carbon intensity (“WACI”) than the MSCI EM Index (based on WACI sales, Scope 1 and 2 emissions).1

Another topic of discussion is shareholder focus, which is a characteristic we look for in the companies in which we invest. We have generally observed a trend towards increasing shareholder focus amongst corporates in certain markets, which we believe can be an important indicator of management quality and drive share price returns.

Whilst our ESG analysis is primarily conducted at company level, being aware of material ESG factors at country level is useful for our overall portfolio strategy, and for positioning our portfolios in areas of structural growth while avoiding the risks. This year, we focus on developments within education, an important socioeconomic factor driving a country’s long-term economic development.

For our full report, please contact RBCGAMUSContact@rbc.com.

1. RBC GAM, MSCI ESG climate change metrics, MSCI®, as at 30 June 2024.

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Disclosure
This material is provided by RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) for informational purposes only and may not be reproduced, distributed or published without the written consent of RBC GAM or its affiliated entities listed herein. This material does not constitute an offer or a solicitation to buy or to sell any security, product or service in any jurisdiction; nor is it intended to provide investment, financial, legal, accounting, tax, or other advice and such information should not be relied or acted upon for providing such advice. This material is not available for distribution to investors in jurisdictions where such distribution would be prohibited.

RBC GAM is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) which includes RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (RBC GAM Inc.), RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc. (RBC GAM-US), RBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited (RBC GAM-UK), RBC Global Asset Management (Asia) Limited (RBC GAM-Asia) and RBC Indigo Asset Management Inc. (RBC Indigo), which are separate, but affiliated subsidiaries of RBC.

In Canada, this material is provided by RBC GAM Inc. (including PH&N Institutional) and/or RBC Indigo, each of which is regulated by each provincial and territorial securities commission with which it is registered. In the United States, this material is provided by RBC GAM-US, a federally registered investment adviser. In Europe this material is provided by RBC GAM-UK, which is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. In Asia, this material is provided by RBC GAM-Asia, which is registered with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong.

Additional information about RBC GAM may be found at www.rbcgam.com.

This material has not been reviewed by, and is not registered with any securities or other regulatory authority, and may, where appropriate and permissible, be distributed by the above-listed entities in their respective jurisdictions.

Any investment and economic outlook information contained in this material has been compiled by RBC GAM from various sources. Information obtained from third parties is believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by RBC GAM, its affiliates or any other person as to its accuracy, completeness or correctness. RBC GAM and its affiliates assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions in such information.

Opinions contained herein reflect the judgment and thought leadership of RBC GAM and are subject to change at any time. Such opinions are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be investment or financial advice and should not be relied or acted upon for providing such advice. RBC GAM does not undertake any obligation or responsibility to update such opinions.

RBC GAM reserves the right at any time and without notice to change, amend or cease publication of this information.

Past performance is not indicative of future results. With all investments there is a risk of loss of all or a portion of the amount invested. Where return estimates are shown, these are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as a prediction of returns; actual returns may be higher or lower than those shown and may vary substantially, especially over shorter time periods. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Some of the statements contained in this material may be considered forward-looking statements which provide current expectations or forecasts of future results or events. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve risks and uncertainties. Do not place undue reliance on these statements because actual results or events may differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Before making any investment decisions, we encourage you to consider all relevant factors carefully.

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© RBC Global Asset Management Inc., 2025
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