CFA Sustainable-Investing Exam
Sustainable Investing Certificate(CFA-SIC) (Page 31 )

Updated On: 9-Feb-2026

Institutional investors achieve their stewardship and engagement objectives in practice through which of the following?

  1. Engaging directly with companies only
  2. Utilizing proxy voting advisory firms only
  3. Both engaging directly with companies and utilizing proxy voting advisory firms

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Institutional investors achieve their stewardship and engagement objectives by both engaging directly with companies and utilizing proxy voting advisory firms. Direct engagement involves ongoing dialogue with company management and boards to influence corporate practices. Proxy voting advisory firms provide recommendations on voting matters at shareholder meetings, helping investors make informed decisions that align with their ESG priorities.



Which of the following ESG investment approaches is most likely applicable when investing in sovereign debt?

  1. ESG tilting
  2. Collaborative engagement
  3. Active private engagement

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

ESG tilting is an investment approach applicable when investing in sovereign debt. It involves adjusting the weightings of sovereign bonds in a portfolio based on ESG scores, thereby favoring countries with better ESG performance. This method aligns investment decisions with ESG criteria while maintaining diversification and managing risk within sovereign bond portfolios.



Stock exchanges can contribute to the growth of ESG market by:

  1. supporting companies to issue more ESG-oriented bonds.
  2. increasing the disclosure requirements on ESG data by listed companies.
  3. considering ESG factors when voting on behalf of shareholders at companies' annual general meetings.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Stock exchanges can contribute to the growth of the ESG market by increasing the disclosure requirements on ESG data by listed companies. Enhanced disclosure requirements ensure that investors have access to comprehensive and comparable ESG information, which is critical for making informed investment decisions. This promotes transparency and encourages companies to improve their ESG practices.



The Kyoto Protocol established emissions targets that are:

  1. binding on all countries.
  2. voluntary for all countries.
  3. binding only on developed countries.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Kyoto Protocol Emissions Targets:

The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that commits its Parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, based on the scientific consensus that global warming is occurring and that human-made CO2 emissions are driving it.

1. Binding Targets for Developed Countries: The Kyoto Protocol established legally binding emissions reduction targets specifically for developed countries, known as Annex I countries. These targets required these countries to reduce their collective greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5.2% below 1990 levels during the first commitment period (2008-2012).

2. Differentiated Responsibilities: The principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" underpins the Kyoto Protocol. This principle recognizes that developed countries have historically contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions and thus have a greater responsibility to lead in emissions reduction efforts.

3. Voluntary Participation for Developing Countries: Developing countries, referred to as non-Annex I countries, were not subject to binding emissions reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. Their participation in emissions reduction efforts was voluntary, reflecting their lower historical contribution to global emissions and their need for economic development.

Reference from CFA ESG Investing:

Kyoto Protocol Overview: The CFA Institute explains that the Kyoto Protocol's binding targets apply only to developed countries, with the aim of addressing climate change through legally mandated emissions reductions.

Principle of Differentiated Responsibilities: This principle is highlighted in the CFA curriculum as a fundamental aspect of international climate agreements, ensuring that countries' responsibilities are aligned with their contributions to the problem and their capacity to address it.

In conclusion, the Kyoto Protocol established emissions targets that are binding only on developed countries, making option C the verified answer.



In contrast to engagement dialogues, monitoring dialogues most likely involve:

  1. a two-way sharing of perspectives.
  2. discussions intended to understand the company, its stakeholders and performance.
  3. conversations between investors and any level of the investee entity including non-executive directors.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

In responsible investment, engagement dialogues and monitoring dialogues are two distinct approaches used by investors to interact with investee companies regarding ESG issues.

1. Engagement Dialogues: Engagement dialogues are proactive and involve a two-way sharing of perspectives between investors and the investee company. The objective is to influence and improve the company's ESG practices and performance. These dialogues often focus on specific ESG issues and seek to bring about change through constructive feedback and recommendations.

2. Monitoring Dialogues: Monitoring dialogues, on the other hand, are more about gathering information and understanding the company's operations, stakeholders, and overall performance. These dialogues are intended to provide investors with insights into how the company ismanaging ESG risks and opportunities. The focus is on ensuring that the company adheres to its stated ESG policies and commitments.

3. Nature of Monitoring Dialogues: Monitoring dialogues are typically more passive compared to engagement dialogues. They involve discussions that aim to understand the company's approach to ESG matters, its interactions with stakeholders, and its performance metrics. These conversations can occur at any level of the investee entity, including with non-executive directors, but are primarily focused on information gathering rather than influencing change.

Reference from CFA ESG Investing:

Engagement and Monitoring: The CFA Institute outlines the differences between engagement and monitoring dialogues, emphasizing that monitoring is primarily about understanding and assessing the company's ESG performance and stakeholder interactions.

Investor-Company Interactions: Understanding the nature of these interactions helps investors effectively manage their ESG integration strategies and ensures that they are well-informed about the investee company's practices.

In conclusion, monitoring dialogues most likely involve discussions intended to understand the company, its stakeholders, and performance, making option B the verified answer.






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