Describe the process(es) your organization has in place to ensure that your engagement activities are consistent with your overall climate change strategy[…]We have three main processes in place that ensure all of our direct and indirect activities that influence policy are consistent with our overall climate change strategy:
1) Procedural consistency: Generally, all of our Company's procedures are governed by our corporate governance policies and principles, such as the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines, which provide safeguards against practices that are inconsistent with the Company's objectives and govern direct and indirect activities external to the company (e.g., influencing policy).
2) CR Reporting Relationship and Internal Engagement: Additionally, our Vice President of Corporate Responsibility regularly interfaces with our Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and reports to our Chief Financial Officer. Through these meetings the VP of CR ensures that their knowledge of and participation in trade associations and advocacy is consistent with our overall climate change strategy.
3) Board Engagement: Further, through regular updates on ESG to the AvalonBay Board of Directors we ensure complete alignment at the top around the activities both internal and external (policy influence, for one) related to our climate change strategy.