Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) is the practice of including non-financial criteria such as environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in investment decisions. In theory, by changing the criteria of capital allocation, SRI would motivate companies to improve their sustainable performance. It seems like a striking idea combining profits and sustainability through investment. But is it really possible? Does SRI really have the ability of influencing corporations' behavior? In order to answer this question, a qualitative research was conducted, where we analyzed factors that we consider paramount for the effectiveness of SRI in achieving this goal. First we tried to understand what are the motivations guiding the main stakeholders in SRI, namely corporations, financial institutions (FIs) and investors. Then we tried to get a picture of important constraints to the effectiveness of SRI such as professional expertise in the field, sustainable quality of the funds and transparency. Finally, we examined the main factors which might limit SRI from having a real impact in companies and we give suggestions on how to overcome those limitations. Our findings do not show any evidence that the motivations guiding stakeholders in SRI, or its present conditions of quality and transparency, would be able to deliver any significant corporate change through access to capital on financial markets. It is more likely, however, that the influence SRI has on companies' reputation brings about such change, rather than access to capital. Even then, the SRI market needs to be developed further and a minimal quality of SRI funds needs to be ensured. Further regulation can probably improve the balance between the quality and the economic appeal of SRI funds, thereby closing the gap between investors' financial expectations and the broader public interest. Moreover, change is required from investors towards a more active and involved attitude, as well as better cooperation between institutions and investors in order to cope with the current fragmentation in the SRI market.

L'engagement actionnarial permet aux gestionnaires d'actifs de prendre en compte les thématiques environnementales, sociales et de gouvernance des entreprises se trouvant dans leur portefeuille d'actions. Démarche peu utilisée jusque récemment en Europe, c'est une pratique qui commence à faire son chemin. Cette analyse vise à présenter les principaux outils disponibles à la mise en oeuvre de l'engagement actionnarial, à en identifier les points forts et faibles et, enfin, à en montrer quelques exemples concrets en Belgique ou en Europe.

Pratique originaire des États-Unis, l'engagement actionnarial vise à améliorer la manière dont les entreprises agissent sur les thématiques environnementales, sociales et de gouvernance (ESG). Encore peu utilisée jusque récemment en Europe, cette démarche commence à se répandre. Toutefois, le reporting des efforts fournis en la matière laisse encore à désirer. Les acteurs étudiés sur le marché belge peuvent mieux faire.