Our research
Our research is based on a fully transparent and holistic research methodology which is certified according to external industry quality standards.
We offer consistent, comparable data on over 80 different ESG research areas, including board practice, bribery and corruption, managing environmental and climate change impacts, human rights and supply chain labour standards. We also monitor company involvement in activities such as the manufacture of controversial weapons or animal testing.
Our standard research universe includes the ASX-300 and the NZ-50, however through the international partners alliance includes around 3,000 companies and covers major national and international indices.On a more focused basis and again through our international offering data is available on up to 7,000 companies. Furthermore, our research universe can be extended to provide bespoke coverage of additional companies and issues, dependent on client requirements.
Our global network of research partners further extends our coverage and keeps us abreast of responsible investment issues at the local level. CAER partners include research organisations in the United Kingdom, United States, France, Israel, Germany, Spain and South Korea.
CAER researchers and the EIRIS network around the world work to a common framework with clear and transparent indicators. The assessment methods used have been developed over time to reflect international and other external norms, and particular client needs. We don't provide consultancy services to the companies that are researched.
The research process
The core process begins with the data companies make public. These companies are then sent targeted questionnaires in areas where the public data is unclear. This results in considerable focused dialogue with companies, and also encourages them to address the issues of concern to investors and to improve their public reporting. Sector specialists within each team review the research conducted by colleagues before it is released.
Sources and methods
A wide range of other sources are used: NGO reports, media coverage, trade and other journals and data made public by regulators..
In addition to this we create and update the ESG approach to many areas of our research in dialogue with NGOs, companies and clients with a particular interest so as to establish both good and leading practice in a form useful to investors. Clients are then able to distinguish those companies addressing the issue from those that do not. In this way it is possible to grade separately those companies likely to be able to control the relevant risks and those who have built a leadership position around the issue.
Assessments in many areas distinguish policy, management systems, reporting and performance. Investors can then place different weight on each aspect of their ESG approach and identify what stage a company has reached on the issue.
