Responsible Investor

France’s €12bn ERAFP tenders for €865m in SRI convertible bond and real estate mandates

Huge ESG tender will follow fund’s SRI charter.

FREE Pension scheme members to be approached for info for 1000 fund climate investment response ranking

Pressure group to survey and rank 1000 global institutional investors starting in May.

8 steps to bring investors into the $1trn per annum needed to prevent dangerous climate change

Action is needed to make institutional funds flow: Sean Kidney shows how.

Environment, Feb. 7: Generation IM discloses stake in smart grid firm

RI’s regular review of environmental investing news

Giant Japanese investor seeks environmental social and governance managers for passive equities

Candidates must be signatories to the UN PRI

FREE UK Pension Protection Fund seeks responsible farmland and timberland managers

Candidates must manage assets “responsibly and sustainably”

Australian super funds advised to see ESG as a competitive advantage

New guidance from financial services body Finsia

Aviva Investors names new Chief Responsible Investment Officer

First details of new structure emerge after shake-up

RI Briefing, February 1: Man Group hopes others will follow its lead on UN PRI

RI’s regular review of responsible investing news

Environment, January 31: Institutional investors’ climate change group reacts to EU working paper

RI’s regular round-up of environmental investing developments

UK’s €10bn responsible investment-focused pensions lifeboat in bond move

Leading responsible investor seeking bond managers

Responsible Funds, January 27: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI’s regular look at responsible funds news

RI Briefing, January 25: Royal Bank of Canada in social and environmental initiative

RI’s regular review of responsible investing developments

Environment: Jan 24: Allianz’s Faber: Just 1% of institutional assets is 5x green climate fund

RI’s regular round-up of environmental investing developments

Fixed income giant PIMCO backs ESG to increase long-term portfolio quality

$1.3trn fund firm explains rationale for signing up to UN PRI

Group warns Bank of England over “systemic risk” of high carbon investments

Investors and campaign groups write to BOE Governor

Clean Investor, January 17: CDP chief named to Clean Development Mechanism panel

RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news

Conference report: US Pension funds report to INCR/UN summit on progress in climate investments

In the face of political foot-dragging, long-term investors say they are getting down to green business.

Flight to safety in European SRI and green fund sales reflects continuing market crisis

Cash funds best sellers in both sectors as downturn persists.

FREE Planned UN climate fund ‘won’t get $100bn’, says World Bank climate chief

Flagship climate fund was agreed at Durban talks

Responsible Funds, January 13: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI’s regular look at responsible funds news

Mercer says global institutional investors starting to address climate risk

Consultant’s follow-up to groundbreaking 2011 climate change research

Global investor groups issue first ever joint action plan on corporate responses to climate change

Statement to be issued on January 12 conference at UN in New York.

Clean Investor, January 10: French state investor signs Tunisia carbon credits deal

RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news

Responsible Funds, Jan. 6: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI’s regular look at responsible funds news

RI Briefing, December 21: Microfinance transparency project winds down

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

France’s FRR re-tenders €600m in ESG mandates

SRI briefs awarded in 2006 up for review.

Stake institutional investors mull Climate Change Capital sale ‘deal’ reports

New-York listed Bunge reported to be close to CCC buy-out

Responsible Funds, Dec. 16: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI’s regular look at responsible funds news

Pension-backed NIBC fund expands German wind portfolio

The latest in a string of transactions

Clean Investor, December 13: Carbon Disclosure Project seeks partnership with exchanges, regulators

The regular round-up of clean investing news

ESG USA: US investor groups issue fracking risk recommendations for oil & gas companies

List compiled after lengthy risk engagement with companies.

UK government sets up £200m interim Green Investments team, seeks fund managers

Green Investment Bank gets a step closer

Ceres: US climate negotiating team should take their cue from investors

Looking at the Obama administration’s resistance to a new binding global agreement

FREE S. Korea contributes to new UN Green Climate Fund start-up costs

“Main global fund for climate change finance” gets approval

RI Briefing, December 7: Hedge fund giant signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Sweden’s AP2 responds to NGO’s “land grab” comments

Comments made in Parliament by non-governmental organisation

Clean Investor, December 6: Deutsche Bank on Durban climate talks

The regular Tuesday round-up of clean investing news

Responsible Funds, Dec. 2: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI’s regular look at responsible funds news

Climate Change Capital in talks with investors over capital raising

Company confirms in discussions with investors

Clean Investor, November 29: NYSE and Bloomberg team up on clean energy indices

RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news

UK government calls on pension and sovereign wealth funds to invest in offshore wind

Ministers make the case to potential investors

FREE What now for the SRI team at Henderson facing redundancy?

Could a sale to a third-party or a spin-off be on the table?

Responsible Funds, November 25: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI fund launches, closes and asset data.

Former UNPRI Chair steps into lead investor/climate change role

Ole Beier Sørensen of ATP steps down.

FREE Green bond standard launched to verify environmental impact and eligibility

Bonds that pass will be given the label ‘Climate Bonds’.

Equity market slump continues to pound mainstream and SRI fund sales

SRI funds down by €938.2m for the month.

RI Briefing, November 23: Deutsche reviews asset management business

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Clean Investor, November 22: Dutch institutions buy into onshore windfarm portfolio

RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news

Boards not taking water risks seriously despite growing short-term risk: CDP Water Report 2011

Warning comes on day Dell announces profits warning because of Thai floods.

Danish pension fund doubles African sustainability assets to €80m in a year with new commitment

PensionDanmark makes sustainable agriculture investment.

Clean Investor, November 15: Quebec pension fund backs major wind project

RI’s regular look at environmental investing developments.

FREE Alpha for ‘high sustainability’ companies after 3 years, says major Harvard/LBS research report

RI talks to the professors behind long-term corporate sustainability findings.

Responsible Funds, November 11: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI fund launches, closes and asset data.

Clean Investor, November 8: Clean tech investments by NBIM, Generation IM

The round-up of clean investing news

Australian super funds to price carbon in portfolios as legislation passes

Investors welcome passage of landmark clean energy legislation

S&P-Dow Jones index merger creates ESG benchmark powerhouse

Index titans seal merger agreement

Responsible Funds, November 4: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI fund launches, closes and asset data.

FREE Bank of America chief to co-chair new UN sustainable energy group

Senior figures appointed by Secretary General

It’s vital institutional investors are included for financing a low carbon future

Reform which stimulates investment in climate change could be key to long-term sustainable growth

Clean Investor, November 1: Climate Advocacy Fund targets ANZ on emissions

RI’s regular look at clean investment

UK charity launches £20m bond as regulator clarifies ethical investment guidance

Innovative bond programme developed with Investing for Good

Responsible Funds, Oct. 28: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI fund launches, closes and asset data.

European SRI and green fund sales slump as market crisis drags on

Green funds down for third month in a row.

FREE Assets in sustainable alternative investment funds leap 16% to $80.9bn – US SIF

Sign that sustainable and responsible investing is increasingly mainstream

Clean Investor, October 25: PGGM, Triodos in offshore wind tranmission sale

RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news

Responsible Funds, Oct. 21: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI fund launches, closes and asset data.

Asset owners testing climate change theme through PE fund-of-funds route

First closes indicate growing appetite from investors.

SSGA says Europe’s green bond market could reach $1.4trn by 2020 as it launches strategy

Global CIO Rick Lacaille unveils new bond product at UNEPFI conference.

$20trn investor group calls for financial incentives to invest in low carbon assets, ahead of Durban

Long-term policy and clear carbon reduction targets outlined in statement.

Clean Investor, October 18: Munich Re named world greenest major company in Newsweek rankings

RI’s regular Tuesday round-up of clean investing news

CDP: majority of FTSE 350 companies way below government C02 reduction targets

A third fail to respond at all to annual carbon survey.

Clean Investor, October 11: GRI proposes new sustainability reporting approach

RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news

New €100m Dutch green bank could issue bonds

Investment proposal planned for next year

Sweden’s AP2 votes against three-quarters of pay proposals at foreign firms

New Corporate Governance report released

Investor seeks probe into Uganda forest ‘land grab’ accusations

Response to Oxfam allegations against New Forests Company

Major US companies reporting climate change strategies, says CDP

Findings of Carbon Disclosure Project’s S&P 500 report

Clean Investor, September 20: New Japan carbon efficient index launched

RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news

Investors “woefully inadequate” on climate as CDP reports disclosure/performance link

CDP Chairman Alan Brown in broadside at investment community.

Clean Investor, September 13: Danish pension funds back Africa green energy fund

RI’s regular Tuesday round-up of clean investment news

Clean Investor, September 6: Bank close to $300m green bond issuance

RI’s regular Tuesday round-up of clean investing news

OECD calls for ‘loud, long and legal’ govt policies to boost pension fund green investing

Current allocations less than 1% according to international body.

Sweden’s AP1 to raise allocation to ‘real assets’ to combat climate change

Leading institutional investor absorbs Mercer report

UK names advisory board to £3bn Green Investment Bank, includes UKSIF chief

Bank plans to start lending early next year.

Property funds report green performance en masse as asset owner initiative gathers steam

Survey covers assets now worth $1trillion.

Clean Investor, August 30: UN Secretary General calls for clean energy revolution

RI’s regular Tuesday look at clean investment developments

California power company issues second wind bond, green bond investor standard expected within days

Certificate will allow investors to check whether green bonds meet C02 reduction levels.

UK launches £40m social impact bonds to support deprived families - aims for pension products

Trial based on bond for lowering prison reoffending rates in Peterborough.

Clean Investor, August 23: Institutions back €300m German wind/solar fund

RI’s regular look at clean investment news

Clean Investor, August 16: Church investor group welcomes Niger Delta oil spills report

RI’s regular Tuesday round-up of clean investing developments

Clean Investor, August 9: Trillium, Calvert muster shareholders for climate motion at US food group

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Clean Investor, August 2: Pension fund-backed infra venture buys German solar plants

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

FREE Shanghai Stock Exchange launches sustainability development index

40-stock index to focus on low carbon, resource efficiency

Clean Investor, July 26: Co-operative AM buys into Indian energy firm… to engage on environment

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

RI People & Appointments, July 25: UK’s Miliband joins cleantech investor as advisor

RI’s regular Monday round-up of people news

FREE Clean Investor, July 19: institutional investors back new low carbon bond group

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

“Continued investor interest” in World Bank green bonds as Dutch FMO snaps up €20m

Development bank invests in five-year bonds to help reduce climate change

The ‘surprise package’ within Australia’s Clean Energy Future bill

The new climate change legislation is much more than just a carbon pricing scheme.

Clean Investor, July 12: Macquarie’s forest offset project gets backing

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Triodos Renewables launches £15m public share issue for wind investments

Placing of 8.3m shares to public

Clean Investor, July 5: SWIP eyes renewable energy, energy efficiency, water & food

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Clean Investor conf: IIGCC’s Sørensen says investors don’t use CDP data, proposes ‘ownership’ shift

CDP rejects claims its data is ignored.

Clean Investor conference: Minister sees ‘big appetite’ for Green Bank from institutional investors

Greg Barker, UK Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, tells conference he is “hopeful” for 2012 start despite legislative hurdles.

US development finance body OPIC puts half a billion into renewables

Major climate change initiative from US government body

Clean Investor, June 28: Corporate Renewable Energy Index launched

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

FREE Shifting climate policies from C02 emissions trading to green investment

The focus on C02 trading has been a policy mistake.

FREE SAM/Robeco research finds positive relationship between sustainability and financial performance

New ‘Alpha from Sustainability’ white paper

Canadian pension fund starts C$6.5bn class action against Sino-Forest, Ernst & Young

Investor takes on crisis-torn Toronto-listed Chinese forestry firm

Clean Investor, June 21: Dutch pension-backed fund buys German wind farms

Norwegian govt fund embroiled in Indonesia illegal logging allegations

Investor facing scrutiny from NGO

What’s behind the private equity rush to ESG?

The PE sector has been quick to adopt the UNPRI and ESG.

FREE Investors join companies in calling for European GHG emissions cuts

Declaration ahead of EU meetings next week

Majority of investors say climate change is ‘material’ risk, but green investments remain low

Most asset owners yet to formalise climate policy in manager hires.

Responsible investors flagged governance concerns at Sino-Forest

Shareholders engaged with forestry firm before scandal

Clean Investor, June 14: First close for new Unigestion-Ethos environmental fund

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

World Bank green bonds to be offered to Merrill Lynch clients

Bonds to aid low carbon will be marketed over Merrill’s Global Wealth Management platform

Legal & General, Osmosis launch passive environmental fund

Launch follows innovative carbon tracker fund for BT Pension Scheme

The changes needed to ensure the sustainability of private equity and commitments by pension funds

A limited partner outlines where PE and investors need to work together to drive ESG forward.

HSBC’s Canada asset management arm closes climate fund

Decision based on small fund size and low take-up

FREE European SRI fund sales take a beating, losing €1bn in a month

Green and norms-based funds stay positive despite market turmoil.

First green bonds standard weeks away, Californian State Treasurer joins board

Certification will verify CO2 reduction of climate bonds.

Clean Investor, June 7: Natixis unveils emerging markets climate change fund

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

KKR private equity titan Roberts says ESG is “good business and right thing to do”

Long-term value should outweigh short-term cost says KKR founder.

UK’s CDC to consider running third-party pension fund assets

ESG takes centre stage at development finance institution in government revamp

Clean Investor, May 31: UK government commits to Zouk, HG Capital cleantech funds

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Sweden’s AP2 and TIAA-CREF form agricultural real estate venture

Pension giants target grain production in the US, Australia and Brazil

RI Briefing, May 25: iShares launches sustainable ETFs on Dutch market

RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news

Swiss sustainable investment vehicle SPG to transfer assets to Globalance

Assets to be transferred from SAM to Reto Ringger’s new venture

New Green Investment Bank to prioritise offshore wind, waste, energy efficiency

Investments to start from April 2012

Canadian pension funds face First Nations opposition to timber acquisition

Injunction sought by tribal group

Dutch pension fund forms €390m ESG-themed infrastructure pact

Innovative public private partnership deal announced

Ludgate Investments director Meir to leave

Ex-Pioneer UK chief departs cleantech investor for “family reasons”

RI Interview: Gates Foundation’s latest social investments create odd bedfellows

Responsible Investor talks to the Gates Foundation about its program-related investments.

Clean Investor, May 17: UNEPFI seeking comments on forestry investment proposals

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Giant UK pension scheme backs new Legal & General carbon fund

New fund has input from FTSE and Trucost

Norwegian government fund assesses 432 companies on water risk

Investor says just 50 firms report on supply chain water risks

RI BLOG: ESG goes big at Milken conference: Erika Karp, Global Head of Sector Research, UBS

Sustainable finance was all over the discussion at the 3,000 strong Milken conference in Los Angeles last week.

Clean Investor, May 10: Mongolian wind farm is 3,000th Clean Development Mechanism project

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

French SRI assets grow by 35% in 2010

Growth driven by SRI conversion of funds.

Clean Investor, May 3: UN green climate fund - climate bonds - EIB investments

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Green funds continue 2011 sales surge

SRI funds also return to black in February.

Clean Investor, April 26: Business leaders back UK green bonds

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Australia’s first climate change resolution gets 8.5% backing

Super funds step up to challenge Woodside Petroleum on carbon price assumptions

Clean Investor, April 19: Icelandic pension funds in geothermal deal

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Norwegian govt fund giant adds €630m to one of world’s largest green allocations

GPFG says no change on climate risk approach following research, however.

NBIM says companies failing on climate change risk management

Mixed results also on children’s rights and water management

Clean Investor, April 12: CalPERS targets renewable power generation

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

UN Principles for Responsible Investment to look at fixed income ESG integration

New bonds “work stream” being formed

Catalyzing the global green bond market

Investing in green bonds can push the kind of environmental and financial logic underpinning the retrofit of the Empire State Building.

Clean Investor, April 5: Fresh water shortage “becoming a business growth risk” - DEG

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

€5trn investor group presses global top 500 companies on greenhouse gases

Change in empahsis by Carbon Disclosure Project

Implications of the Japanese nuclear disaster:  An ESG research perspective

Financial pressure and public scrutiny on companies who build and operate nuclear plants.

Clean Investor, March 29: Impax sets up US subsidiary

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Danish pension funds in €800m offshore wind farm deal

PensionDanmark and PKA in 15-year contract with DONG Energy

UK’s new Green Investment Bank gets asset boost, borrowing powers

Plan to leverage more than €20bn in green infrastructure investment

IFC adds $50bn+ to UNPRI as it becomes first multilateral development bank to sign up

World Bank private finance arm sets out three priority commitments for PRI membership.

Clean Investor, March 22: World Bank to sign water pact with US

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

World Water Day: A drought in your portfolio?

Investors should understand the water exposure in their portfolios

Norwegian Global Fund’s environmental assets exceed €3bn

Giant investor now has nine environmental mandates

Clean Investor, March 15: Hermes EOS takes 7% of electric fuel cell firm

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

RI interview: Kevin Parker, Global Head, Deutsche AM: Declaring victory on green investing

Investors are starting to allocate assets to the green theme in a big way, says DeAM chief.

Clean Investor, Tuesday March 8: China outlines clean energy ambitions

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Clean Investor, March 1: ASrIA proposes Asia Investor Group on Climate Change

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Sustainable assets rise to 30% of managed mandates at Swiss private bank Sarasin (amended)

Basle-based Sarasin now has €10.5bn in sustainable assets

Comment: Mercer’s climate report: groundbreaking, but will pension funds step up?

Major portfolio surgery required to switch allocations to climate sensitive assets.

Clean Investor, February 22: Co-op sets €1.2bn renewable energy investment target

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Breakfast with Barroso: what the giant P8 pension funds talked about in Brussels

Investors also met with the US Ambassador to Belgium.

P8 and P80 pension groups co-ordinator, Aled Jones, departs from Prince Charles-backed initiative

P8 set up to be switched to Brussels office of Cambridge Sustainability Leadership Programme.

Norwegian Global Fund excludes Malaysian logging firm

Giant fund now excludes a total of 51 companies

CP3, UK/Asian govt climate fund, issues mandate for asset manager as part of UN $100bn plan: P8/P80

Fund-of-funds house sought for sizeable Asian green infrastructure portfolio.

RI Briefing, February 16: Eurosif on ESG challenges of infrastructure

Credit ratings of US chemical firms could be hit by EPA emissions moves: WRI/S&P/APG report

Standard & Poor’s starts looking at carbon risk for corporate bond ratings.

Mercer advocates massive institutional shift to climate sensitive assets

Results of major report in collaboration with leading investors

Clean Investor, February 15: Railpen quizzes managers on climate change

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Huge investor group met with EC chief Barroso in low carbon push ahead of Prince Charles speech

Institutional and corporate delegation presented to EU in advance of speech criticising climate change deniers.

Co-operative Asset Management in ESG tie-up with KKR

Co-op hails “innovative partnership”

Swiss pension fund issues bond mandate excluding arms, tobacco

CHF100m mandate also targets revenues from gambling, nuclear energy and genetically modified organisms

Clean Investor, February 8: Alberta fund giant makes massive forestry move

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Giant NZ Super fund hires first manager in novel $300-500m farm investment programme

Fund moves into what it says is an ‘under-developed’ asset class.

Clean Investor, February 1: Allianz hails renewable energy’s “attractive returns”

European SRI fund sales jump €1.3bn in a month - green fund sales drop

Green themed and norms-based retail funds lose €382m in same period.

Major Dutch pension funds, TIAA-CREF launch microfinance principles

40 investors sign up to new Principles for Investors in Inclusive Finance

Call for greater transparency on climate change engagement

Climate Principles progress report published

Clean Investor, January 25: LAPFF issues climate change guide for trustees

RI’s new regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

SAM gets €800m asset boost as parent Robeco transfers funds

Move reflects aim to make Swiss firm Robeco’s ESG centre of expertise

Denmark’s Lærernes Pension awards ESG bond mandate to giant US manager

Teachers’ fund taps State Street Global Advisors

RI interview - James Gifford, UNPRI: fees, growth, public policy and global expansion

UNPRI executive director maps out its strategy in a crucial year.

Clean Investor, January 18: NBIM raises stake in wind power firm

RI’s new regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

WWF funds arm partners with Cheuvreux to launch Green Tech index: Amundi licenses ETF

Plans for US and Asian version of green tech sales benchmark.

Clean Investor, January 11: ATP-linked venture firm in cleantech investment

RI’s new regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

The threat of water risk in the US municipal bond market

Report says US utilities face moderate to severe water shortfalls in the coming years.

UK Environment Agency awards £80m emerging markets mandate

France’s Comgest replaces Scottish Widows for ESG-based portfolio.

What the Indian interest scandal allegations will mean for microfinance

Some microfinance developments seem to mirror the sub-prime crisis.

SNS Asset Management among first houses to launch dedicated impact investing unit

SNS Impact Investing will group the fund manager’s microfinance, agriculture and water funds.

ATP’s influential investment chief Graven Larsen leaves fund

Deputy CIO Henrik Gade Jepsen takes over.

Positive signs from Cancun despite US institutional investor absence

Emerging markets showing the way on low carbon investment.

French dairy giant Danone experiments with sustainability-linked coupon for corporate bonds

Project currently on hold because of KPI quality.

PGGM steps up backing of offshore wind infrastructure with direct stake in UK farm

Pensions manager invests alongside Ampère Equity Fund in which it already has a €100m stake.

Investors should engage on unconventional oil risks – Ceres

“Every investor has to take a strong look at these risks” – NY’s DiNapoli

EBRD and Deutsche Bank team up to issue green bonds

€18m issue aimed at Japanese investors