By Ross Kerber

BOSTON (Reuters), – A landmark victory at Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE) was criticized for climate-related concerns in 2017. Last year, activist investor Engine No. 1. is expanding its focus to press companies about diversity and workforce issues by 2022.

Michael O’Leary oversees investment management at the San Francisco-based company. He said that portfolio companies will need more information this spring regarding their obligations to their employees, stakeholders and their worker demographics.

You saw how something could be seen not only as an idea but also as a key value-driver. O’Leary spoke in an interview about how, like with climate change, they expect that the concept will be extended to other topics such as workforce diversity and racial disparity.

Once thought to be immaterial, shareholder resolutions regarding environmental and social issues have gained more support as investors pay attention to higher temperatures worldwide and the ongoing national debate about race.

Engine No.1 nominated 3 directors. One won Exxon board seats last year through an activist campaign.

O’Leary will now be able to describe some engagements for Engine No. Transform 500 is the new exchange-traded fund that 1 launched over the summer. It has $285million of client cash and invests in 500 U.S. corporations.

Although the fund is small in comparison to the size of the industry, it is part of an increasing trend where asset managers stress the importance of proxy voting for companies that are concerned about environmental, corporate, or social governance issues (ESG).

The Index Funds Equal Weight Fund will tie its votes eventually to polls. This will lead to many critical votes, according to Michael Willis the lead manager of the fund. Investors are more attentive to ESG issues, and will probably cast frequent critical votes.

“Our belief is that individuals who are willing to take time to vote for change want to hear it,” he stated.

O’Leary was a Bain Capital social investment leader. O’Leary declined to speak with specific companies about ESG issues.

O’Leary claimed that almost all 14 of the Transform 500 ETF’s shareholder proposals related to environmental or social issues were supported by it. O’Leary was one of 35 Transform 500 ETF companies which cast proxy ballots. According to O’Leary, the support rate of 90% for such measures will likely persist into 2022.

For instance, he said the fund voted in favor of a proposal at Tesla (NASDAQ:) Inc to report on its diversity & inclusion efforts, a measure that passed with 57% support of votes cast.

Tesla representatives didn’t immediately reply to our requests for comment.