Leslie Samuelrich, Green Century Mutual Funds

In this episode, I speak with Leslie Samuelrich of Green Century Capital Management. Green Century Capital Management (Green Century) is the administrator of the Green Century Funds, a family of environmentally responsible mutual funds.

Green Century Mutual Funds and the Power of Shareholder Advocacy

Welcome to another episode of the Impact Financial Planners podcast with Bill Holiday. In this episode, we have a special guest, Jared Fernandez, a shareholder advocate with Green Century Mutual Funds. We’ll explore how Green Century is making sustainable and responsible impact investing easy for socially conscious investors who want to make a positive change through their investments.

Introduction to Green Century Mutual Funds

Green Century Mutual Funds is an environmentally responsible mutual fund company based in Boston. They focus on investing in environmental leaders and innovators, including companies involved in renewable energy, water efficiency, healthy food, and those excelling in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Their strategy is rooted in the belief that companies actively working to protect the environment can be more profitable in the long run.

Green Century offers three mutual funds:

1. Balanced Fund (their flagship fund)
2. Green Century Equity Fund
3. Green Century International Index Fund (the first responsible and diversified fossil fuel-free international index fund in the U.S., targeting developed international large companies)

The Role of Shareholder Advocacy

Shareholder advocacy is a vital component of Green Century’s approach, making up one of the three main prongs of their impact strategy. Jared Fernandez and his colleague, Jesse Waxman, are dedicated to advocating for positive change within the companies they invest in. They work on a range of critical issues, such as:

• Preserving tropical forests
• Promoting renewable energy
• Protecting pollinators
• Reducing food waste
• Promoting plant-based protein
• Addressing climate change
• Sustainable agriculture

Green Century goes beyond proxy voting, actively engaging with corporate sustainability teams and C-suite executives. They aim to create a tangible impact by convincing companies to adopt more sustainable practices, not just for the environment but also for their long-term profitability.

Assessing the Impact of Shareholder Advocacy

When evaluating mutual fund companies for their engagement in shareholder advocacy, consider the following factors:

1. Size and Scope: Look at the size and scope of the companies engaged and the issues addressed.
2. Associations and Collaborations: Check if the company is part of broader networks and collaborations focused on sustainability and responsible investing.
3. Shareholder Resolutions: See if the company goes beyond proxy voting and actively files shareholder resolutions to address critical issues.

Green Century’s Success Stories

Green Century has achieved notable successes through shareholder advocacy, such as:

• Securing a zero deforestation commitment from the world’s largest palm oil trader, Willmar International, reducing 1.5 gigatonnes of carbon pollution.
• Pressuring fast-food chains to eliminate routine antibiotic use in animal agriculture, leading to significant changes in poultry production practices.

Shareholder advocacy is a powerful tool to drive change in the absence of strong governmental regulations. It encourages businesses to adopt sustainable practices that benefit the environment and society while also mitigating financial risks.

Stay Informed and Engaged

To learn more about Green Century Mutual Funds and stay informed about their advocacy efforts, visit their website at www.greencentury.com. You can also sign up for their e-newsletter to receive updates on their progress and victories.

Thank you for joining us in this episode of the Impact Financial Planners podcast, brought to you by AIO Financial, the fiduciary financial planning firm specializing in sustainable, responsible, and impact investing. Your feedback is valuable, so please leave a review and rating on iTunes or subscribe to our YouTube channel. Feel free to reach out with any comments, suggestions, or questions. We appreciate your support, and together, we can create a more sustainable and responsible financial future.

This podcast is for informational use only. This is not an appropriate investment for everyone. As with any investment, please read the prospectus and discuss it with your financial planner.