最初のスチュワードシップ・コードは、株主の長期的なリスク調整後リターンを向上するために、資産運用会社と企業とのエンゲージメントの質の改善を目指して、2010 年に英国で導入されました。2014 年の初めに、日本がアジアで初めてスチュワードシップ・コードを取り入れました。また、国際コーポレート・ガバナンス・ネットワーク（ICGN）は、グローバル・スチュワードシップ・コードを発表しています。
スチュワードシップ・コードには強制力はありませんが、企業が事業を続けるためには必要な条件との認識が高まりつつあります。例えば、日本最大の年金基金である年金積立金管理運用独立行政法人（GPIF）は、取引する運用会社に日本版スチュワードシップ・コードの受け入れを要求しています。
世界にプラスの効果をもたらしながらリターンを創出
Our stewardship policy
Sustainable investing is a key pillar of our corporate strategy. We are convinced that companies with sustainable business practices have a competitive advantage and are more successful in the long-term. An active approach to the stewardship of the assets in which we invest is an important part of our sustainable investing approach. Robeco fully supports the approach of stewardship and has put in place several robust policies to adhere to its responsibilities in this respect.
Carrying out stewardship responsibilities is an integral part of our sustainable investing approach. A central aspect of Robeco’ s corporate mission statement is to fulfill its fiduciary duty to clients and beneficiaries. We manage assets for a variety of clients with a variety of investment needs. In our activities we always strive to serve our clients’ interests to the best of our capabilities. Our stewardship policy is closely aligned with our investment mission, which is to use research-based, quality driven processes to produce the best possible long term results for our clients. Therefor our stewardship activities are aimed at long term value creation in our investee portfolio companies. Even though assets are managed with different strategies and investment objectives to fit clients’ needs, there is a companywide philosophy that companies (and countries) that act in a sustainable way towards the environment, society and all its stakeholders are likely to be more able to deal with a variety of issues in the future of their business or endeavors.