Given the size of APG's equity portfolio universe, we need to consider optimal use of engagement resources, balancing the prospect of achieving successful engagement results from an investment (value creation) and RI policy perspective with other considerations such as market impact and clients' wishes. This requires us to be selective.

The nature of the concern and the gravity of the particular issue:

• High priority concerns include: violations of the UN Global Compact principles labour standards controversies, environmental harm, board and committee independence, audit concerns, remuneration concerns.
• Isolated incidents versus repeated patterns: A once-off incident (for example an oil spill or labour unrest) does not necessarily require engagement. We examine the way management responds to such incidents, and the effectiveness of management systems and other fundamental considerations such as the corporate culture surrounding safety.

Investment impact:

• Business impact - the likelihood the ESG issue identified may or could materialize into a significant business detriment;
• Investment relevance - likelihood the ESG issue could impact the share price in the short, medium or long term;
• Portfolio relevance - a combination of our stake and the company's value in our portfolio;
• The degree of leverage we believe we have (outlook for success);
  • size of our stake (% of equity);
  • relationship with the company;
  • track record with the company;
  • wider investor interest in the topic.

We have a database that has been in place since 2009 in which we track our engagement with companies as well as other relevant information. We also screen portfolios with respect to the UN Global Compact.

For each engagement we document the company's name, the engagement issues, our objectives, and whether they have been met or if progress has been made. We also document the engagement intensity-level, whether we are working collaboratively with other investors, the steps taken in terms of dialogues, meetings and written exchanges, and the steps to be taken in future. The internal database has been a very successful engagement monitoring tool that is used on a daily basis. The database is also accessible to and widely used by portfolio managers.

Engagements with companies on the basis of UN Global Compact violations require sign-off from the board-level Responsible Investment Committee. Progress of these engagement trajectories is evaluated regularly by this committee.