How benchmarking initiatives support investors with shaping companies’ sustainability strategies

Following WBA’s first evaluation in 2020, investors were identified as a key stakeholder group to engage with further if we were to facilitate the systems change needed to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since then, our engagement with this stakeholder group has grown significantly, with more than 50 investors representing over USD 13 trillion now part of WBA’s Alliance. Investors work with WBA by using our materials when engaging with companies, contribute to our methodologies, co-host events and by joining our Collective Impact Coalitions to hold companies accountable on key sustainability topics. However, what are the outcomes as a result of this engagement and what change has this led to?

Through interviewing a group of investors, including Aviva, Boston Commons, Fidelity International, Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM), Robeco and Scottish Widows, this report has sought to outline the exact mechanisms and processes with which WBA supports investors with their sustainability ambitions. The findings of the case study increase our understanding of the process through which WBA’s outputs, including engaging with stakeholders and Allies grouping around collective action, have contributed to companies changing behaviour and improving sustainable business practices, i.e. the outcome level of WBA’s Theory of Change.  

WBA hopes these examples will support other investors with understanding how they can use WBA’s work to support their engagement with companies and their own sustainability ambitions.