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Fund giant says it engaged with managers to “induce” them to sign up
RI’s regular review of environmental investing news
Accounting for natural capital, conflicting water demands and the shifting debate on climate change
RI’s regular review of governance developments

Canada’s Teachers gets specific on remuneration

Western Union seeks to omit shareholder resolution from ballot

House proposal would oblige companies to identify and report risks.

Sustainable Value Creation in Sweden reports second year findings.

Pharma giant commits to “future dialogue”
15 most blacklisted companies listed by large investors.

Government issues measures to address pay “disconnect”

Lawyers exploit Dutch Court of Appeals to get shareholder damages.

Shareholder resolutions tabled at 40 blue chip companies

German company faces ‘reputation risk’ say investors as DoJ reviews Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Environmental risks ahead as government policy tightens.
RI’s regular round-up of people news

Flagship climate fund was agreed at Durban talks
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement developments
Number of companies profiting from sustainability lower but rising.

MEPs say the “pendulum has swung” in favour of controversial tax

PM Cameron says there is a market failure on pay, so let the ‘market’ decide!

Goal to make engagement “more rewarding” for investors and companies
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

New provisions under the Dodd-Frank Act

ISS founder says proxy firms are the only service sector not “suborned” by corporate management.

Divestments over non-compliance with Global Compact

Increased levels of accountability and transparency are needed if Japanese companies are to attract long-term shareholders.
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Canada urged to sign up to industry transparency initiative
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Ethical advisory group “not prepared to sanction” investment

List compiled after lengthy risk engagement with companies.

Pension fund meeting with HP’s sustainability chief

FMC Corp. and Potash Corp. excluded over Western Sahara operations

Norges makes its first ever ‘proxy access’ move

One of six strategic focus areas for influential investor

Local Authority Pension Fund Forum conference told of risks
RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement news
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Shareholders make their views known at media company

Survey of 4,000 companies finds mistakes and omissions

Investor pressure ahead of next week’s AGM

US SIF fears diminished ESG reporting

Engagement guidance released alongside new Corporate Governance Code

Hotels in spotlight ahead of London games

Responsible investors backing protest movement

Voting alert follows engagement and evidence before Parliament

Vote at giant fund’s investment committee formalises procedure

Index titans seal merger agreement

Anna Hazare’s campaign could start to break the cycle of graft.
RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement developments

Senior figures appointed by Secretary General

A mixed bag of good intentions, but fewer concrete policy measures.

More than 40 global corporations named as participants by IIRC

Country-by-country reporting will encourage accountability and governance of natural resources, says EU.

Sweeping “Responsible Business” proposals from European Commission

“Strong signal” to directors pushing for change, says CalPERS’ Simpson

Union-affiliated CtW widens scrutiny on News Corp. director
RI’s regular Monday review of people news

Giant pension fund to attend AGM and back Christian Brothers’ motion

Software giant says it appreciates discussions with shareholders
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

But letter to EU Commissioner, Michel Barnier, warns on legal conflict.

ISS and Glass Lewis recommend director no votes.

Decision follows engagement with company
RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement news

An incomplete or uncertain regulatory environment can increase risk for both companies and investors.
Engagement could be a turning point for marine engagement.

Report says shareholders can’t measure potential risks to their investments.

ACSI recommendations follow phone hacking scandal
Investment bank defeats investors over bonus billions
RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement developments

Plaintiffs’ assumptions “faulty” says judge

Legal decision in credit-crisis related case

Letter to companies organised by UKSIF

Findings of Carbon Disclosure Project’s S&P 500 report
Group targets both listed and large unlisted firms

“Engaging shareholders and empowering them to take action on executive pay”

CDP Chairman Alan Brown in broadside at investment community.
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news

Some of world’s largest pension funds in plea over proxy access

UK Business Secretary says government will seek EU support to block any changes.
RI’s regular Tuesday round-up of clean investment news

Chief executive sends email response to campaigners

Investor group supports academics’ petition to SEC

US institutional investors in potential multi-billion dollar case
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Two-year engagement relating to VW acquisition
RI’s regular review of governance developments
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Voting on executive pay a “distraction” says giant investor

Super funds and wealth managers give investor perspective on ESG

OTPP teams up with activist hedge fund JANA at S&P owner

Investors taking on top pay have so far been silent on pay at the other end

“If it appears in the proxy it’ll get a good vote,” says US faith investor.

But more transparency still needed, says governance forum

Treaty “directly relevant” to the long-term financial interests of investors
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Florida’s SBA casts vote against re-election of Marc Bolland at today’s AGM

New “stewardship” guidance from €1trn investor forum

Shareholders can’t say they weren’t warned!

US funds file amended complaint in wake of scandal

CDP rejects claims its data is ignored.

The former UK Financial Services Secretary talks activism, engagement and converting sceptics on the value of better stewardship.

Government confirms role of asset owners in major systemic review

“We want to use our influence as shareholders”

Exchange cites pressure from global investors
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Investor facing scrutiny from NGO
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Declaration ahead of EU meetings next week

Responsible investors see case for climate change report
Ceres/Tellus Institute project gets underway

Monetary Authority consultation calls for “constructive relationship” with companies

Company takes unusual step of publishing internal investigation details.

Internet giant argues against board sustainability committee
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Investors show support for resolutions

Responsible investors query National Association of Manufacturers’ sustainability stance

Tougher standards to protect human rights and social development

Strong support for a shareholder proposal opposed by management
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Global firm sets up governance team for market “in flux”

Signatories sought for letter challenging oil major

Levi Strauss kicks off investor-corporate sustainable round table with supply chain commitment.

Funds collaborate with business groups in new sustainable economy roundtable

Investor votes on climate change, pharmaceutical prices, executive pay

Investigation followed complaint from investor.

Investors have opportunity to hold firm to account
Regulators may start to challenge corporate ‘explanations’.

EFAMA also seeks role in responsible investment standards
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
UPDATE: A look at some of the most important environmental, social and governance (ESG) resolutions at forthcoming US shareholder meetings, in chronological order for May 5-17

FRC wants “workable alternative to quotas”

New York Common Fund files shareholder resolution for June AGM.

Exclusions amid treaty ratification and increased ESG focus

Investor takes “pragmatic” view of companies’ operations
RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Influential asset owners refused to back Sir William Castell

“Landmark” shareholder vote at company meeting

Super funds step up to challenge Woodside Petroleum on carbon price assumptions
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
Australia’s first climate change AGM resolution at Woodside Petroleum takes place on April 20.

43% of votes against Castell – CBIS

Environment committee chief and remuneration also rejected

CalPERS and Florida SBA also vote against environmental committee chief
SEC gives OK to New York Pension Funds’ AGM proposal
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Successful transparency initiatives indicate a growing sense of urgency and responsibility in confronting problems in natural resources rich countries.

The Flexible Purpose Corp. is being pushed in the Senate

Long-awaited Green Paper on Corporate Governance from European Commission

Investors table questions on pay and climate change
RI’s round-up of the most important corporate governance and shareholder engagement news.

Influential advisors take oil major to task over remuneration and safety.
RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Belgian governance chief’s intervention ahead of EU Green Paper

South Korea and Israel added to investment universe in review
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.

Decision follows exit from index in 2010

Companies seek SEC OK for omitting investor filings from the proxy.
Report outlines how institutional investors are using engagement strategies

Government review suggests changes to corporate governance code

Shareholders get opportunity to remove directors over remuneration

AGM is first ever advisory vote on remuneration following investor campaign.

Co-op hails “innovative partnership”

Expect a directive on mandatory ESG disclosure, says Christensen

Battle lines drawn for proxy season

Investor group favours UK-style engagement at oil major

Global Compact gets tough on firms
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.

Investor also expresses concerns over proxy voting

Financial Reporting Council consults on corporate reporting and audit

Ethical investor becomes the latest institution to exit mining firm

Call comes as US funds get lead plaintiff status

Project currently on hold because of KPI quality.

Global investors team up to quiz oil major on risk management

New proposals under Dodd-Frank Act

Influential responsible investor initiates dialogue with oil giant

EU appears minded to seek greater ESG disclosure by companies as UK MPs aim to toughen director reporting duties.

Bursa Malaysia launches programme to promote ESG integration

$16trn investor-backed initiative quizzes companies on water usage

Investors could be better able to assess national tax activities, says EU.

New initiative alongside corporate governance green paper

Public and globally accepted pay principles could avoid the need for blunt legislation.

US retailer blacklisted by €3bn industry-wide scheme

€22bn buffer fund moves into agriculture and timber alongside its existing green bonds allocation.

Response to “subjective” decision by Dow Jones/SAM

Investors and corporate peers need to push laggards towards best practice.

Plaudits for HSBC, Reckitt Benckiser, RBS, Scottish & Southern and Tesco

Third-quarter earnings report released

Investability of New Europe companies improving rapidly on ESG factors, says study.