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Asset Managers
Growing investor support for coalition on shale gas link to methane emissions
Growing backing for Scottish Widows’ initiative
Renewable energy covered bonds proposed to tap €2.5trn market
Potential new channel for private sector low-carbon investment
$2trn investor coalition calls for mandatory corporate sustainability reporting
Group steps up call ahead of next month’s Rio+20 summit
RI ESG Briefing, May 22: Pfizer, Potash removed from sustainability index
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
SRI funds delivering “strong and competitive returns” – Canadian study
New research from Canada’s Social Investment Organization
RI People & Appointments, May 21: UN PRI seeks Head of Research & Public Policy
ESG movers and shakers
$1trn investor group unites to back best practices on gas “fracking”
Group of 55 global major investment institutions
RI ESG Briefing, May 16: Mutual funds falling short on climate change voting - Ceres
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
SRI retail fund sales recover slightly, green funds flat - Lipper stats
Asset flows for February 2012
40% back union pension fund’s proposal for independent chair at J.P. Morgan
Dutch pension giant PGGM votes against Dimon as director
Luxembourg seeks leading role in responsible investment funds
Plan to make RI the “third pillar” of Grand Duchy’s funds industry
More German asset owners sign up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment
PRI continues to gain traction in Germany
Northern Trust plans to introduce passively managed ESG investments
Long-term goal is to integrate the UN PRI framework
RI People & Appointments, May 9: APG seeking Governance & Sustainability Specialist
ESG movers and shakers
Support grows for Investors Against Genocide proposal at J.P. Morgan
Ongoing campaign gets backing from major institutions
Responsible Funds, May 4: New Sparinvest ethical emerging markets fund
The round-up of responsible funds news
MSCI and Barclays partner on global ESG bond indices
New index series aims to fill gap in the market
Nearly half of German investors plan to engage on ESG - survey
Union Investment survey also shows UN PRI gaining traction
RI ESG Briefing, May 3: Aviva loses non-binding remuneration vote
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
RI ESG Briefing, May 2: Christian Brothers on Parliament’s Murdoch verdict
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
Danish listed clean energy investment fund founder and CEO exits
New team at Copenhagen-listed investor
RI ESG Briefing, May 1: New York City funds to vote against Wal-Mart directors
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
The missing shareholder links in France’s AGM reforms
French SIF responds to the recent corporate governance consultation.
$650bn US asset management giant signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment
Venerable fund firm backs UN PRI
RI People & Appointments, April 30: Canadian funds hire BP exec for forestry role
ESG movers and shakers
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Major institutional investors back IFC’s first US-targeted green bond
New $500m US-targeted bond is well-received
Pension-backed water fund in breach of London exchange listing rules
Possible change to “premium” London listing
RI ESG Briefing, April 27: Strathclyde fund hires GES for “two-way” engagement
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
Rabobank looking at “strategic options” for fund arm Robeco
Bank mulling future of responsible investment subsidiary
RI ESG Briefing, April 26: UK eyes renewable energy trading
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
Tessa Tennant wins Joan Bavaria Award for Building Sustainability into the Capital Markets
Award presentation kicks off Ceres conference in Boston.
RI ESG Briefing, April 25: Ex-BP CEO Browne calls for extractives transparency
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
RI ESG Briefing, April 24: New intergovernmental biodiversity body established
The round-up of ESG news
Korea sovereign fund backs new EIB Climate Awareness Bonds
Asian giant among new investors in climate bonds
RI People & Appointments, April 23: South Africa investment chief joins Global Compact board
ESG movers and shakers
Responsible Funds, April 20: responsAbility fund backs Central American co-ops
The round-up of responsible funds news
RI ESG Briefing, April 19: New Canadian board diversity database launched
The round-up of ESG news
French investor calls for CEO/Chair split and oversight committee at SocGen
Corporate governance rising on French investor agenda.
RI ESG Briefing, April 13: Generation IM backs waste-to-energy firm’s financing
The round-up of ESG news
Swiss pension fund backs new Rothschild quantitative responsible investment strategy
Rothschild teams up with sustainability firm Conser Invest
RI ESG Briefing, April 10: French state fund issues responsible investment charter
The daily round-up of ESG news
Proxy preview: Shareholder ESG proposals at major US companies
Investor environmental, social and governance proposals
Swiss private bank Sarasin excludes controversial weapons
Swiss move comes as UK investors reportedly impose “blanket ban”
RI People & Appointments, April 10: responsible investors on new SEC panel
ESG movers and shakers
Responsible Funds, April 5: SAM celebrates five years of Healthy Living and Climate funds
The round-up of responsible funds news
UK pension fund eyes agriculture, timber in long-term fiduciary mandate
Potential 10-year contract with supplier
RI ESG Briefing: Principles for Sustainable Insurance set for Rio+20 launch
The daily ESG news round-up
Scottish Widows building coalition to tackle methane emissions
Says US environmental watchdog keen to work with investors
RI ESG Briefing: As You Sow report on ESG at solar photovoltaic companies
The daily round-up of ESG news
$1.6trn investor group engages with authorities on Canadian oil sands monitoring
Letter sent to federal and provincial ministers
RI People & Appointments, April 2: Sustainalytics’ Germany MD joins life insurer
ESG movers and shakers
RI ESG Briefing: Investors write to energy firms on shale flaring
The daily round-up of environmental, social and governance news
Asia investor group lays out plans for boosting regional asset owner climate change activity
Peer funds globally to help with Asia promotion.
RI ESG Briefing: Allianz takes renewables investment to €1.3bn with wind farm deals
The daily round-up of environmental, social and governance news
UK government seeks fund managers for non-domestic energy efficiency infrastructure
Focus is likely to be debt funding, says green investments team
Call for investors to support sustainable stock exchanges
Exchanges see “investor ambivalence” – report
RI People & Appointments, March 26: New role for former UNEP FI head Clements-Hunt
ESG movers and shakers
Responsible Funds, March 23: Netherlands’ SNS merges sustainable equity fund
The regular round-up of responsible funds news
RI ESG Briefing: Danish pension fund’s Deepwater Horizon-related case dismissed
The daily round-up of environmental, social and governance news
Leading responsible investor says engaging with banking fixed income counterparties on ESG
Investment banks rated on social performance for risk.
Responsible Funds, March 16: €6bn UK local authority fund eyes food waste investment
RIs’ regular round-up of responsible funds news
RI Briefing, March 14: Dutch bank signs up as UN PRI goes past 1,000 signatories
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Shareholders and campaigners call for legal clarity on fiduciary responsibility
Mis-interpretation leads to erroneous focus on short-term returns
NAPF Conference Report: reconciling short-termism and stewardship
The tension between long-term aspirations and short-term pressures
Pension fund-backed ‘long-term/sustainable’ model mandate set for formal launch
International Corporate Governance Network project
Denmark’s ATP says new UK DC arm to have responsible investment at core
Interview with Chair and CEO at Now:Pensions
RI Briefing, March 7: Global CEOs commit to Women’s Empowerment Principles
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Private equity firms expect ESG pressure from investors to grow – PWC survey
Survey of 17 private equity firms
RI Governance, March 1: Danish pension fund divests mining firm over pollution
RI’s regular review of governance news
Environment, February 28: New carbon indices launched for Australia, Europe and Japan
RI’s regular review of environmental investing news
Investors await Kay Review into long-term decisions making and markets
Fiduciary duty a possible area of focus
The €6bn ESG mandate tender you should know about…
France’s Ircantec revamps entire portfolio on RI lines.
Investors step up annual board vote threat on 30% female exec representation
World’s largest fund manager among new 30% Club signatories
Responsible Funds, February 24: New manager at LGT sustainable global equity fund
The round-up of ESG funds news
Dutch pension giant backs massive $1bn Mexican wind farm project
Investor says project is in line with ESG criteria
RI Governance, February 23: South African state investor takes stand on exec pay
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement developments
RI Briefing, February 22: Global Investor Survey on Climate Change
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
We must end quarterly capitalism: Mindy Lubber
Short-sighted, short-termism is the financial markets’ Achilles heel
European SRI funds slow down sales slide, green funds continue to lose assets: RI Lipper stats
Asset flows for December 2011.
UK county council pension fund awards €71.5m timberland mandate
Fund puts 2% of assets into timberland
Study looks at pay, headcount and gender balance at SRI firms
Survey from recruitment firm
Investor support grows for CDP-backed corporate ‘Carbon Action’ initiative
$10trn of assets now back call for energy cost cutting
RI People & Appointments, February 20: SNS names Active Ownership Specialist
ESG movers and shakers
RI Governance, February 16: Co-operative AM presents case study of Murdoch engagement
RI’s regular round-up of governance news
Giant LA fund wants UN PRI signatory for emerging markets mandate
Fund managers should consider becoming a signatory or incorporating principles
RI Briefing, February 15: Principles for Investors in Inclusive Finance: first year case studies
RI’s regular roundup of ESG news.
Global investors push SEC on “unfinished business” of proxy access and credit ratings agencies
Letter calls for regulator to “complete” investor protection work.
Environment, February 14: Pension–backed low carbon VC fund to liquidate portfolio
Key news in environmental investing
Investors to write to ECB chief Mario Draghi on carbon risk of indexed assets
European Systemic Risk Board urged to carry out an assessment on regulatory bind.
Mercer to launch ESG-screened version of global asset manager database
Clients will be able to screen GIMD for ESG
OP-ED: Just 9% of ESG strategies get top Mercer rank: that’s a wake-up call for the UNPRI…
My 3 recommendations for pension fund trustees to spur ESG quality.
RI People & Appointments, Feb. 13: New investment chief at Australian Ethical
The round-up of ESG movers and shakers
RI Governance, Feb. 9: Finland’s Ilmarinen appeals ‘minimum dividend’ judgment (update)
RI’s round-up of governance and engagement news
France’s €12bn ERAFP tenders for €865m in SRI convertible bond and real estate mandates
Huge ESG tender will follow fund’s SRI charter.
RI Briefing, February 8: New UK social impact bond in pipeline
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Denmark’s ATP “gratified” asset firms Goldman Sachs AM and PIMCO signed UN PRI
Fund giant says it engaged with managers to “induce” them to sign up
Environment, Feb. 7: Generation IM discloses stake in smart grid firm
RI’s regular review of environmental investing news
RI People & Appointments, February 6: UN PRI seeking Director of Global Development
ESG movers and shakers
Social funds buck market as top performer hits 10.25% for 2011: RI publishes Cedrus top perf stats
Top 5 performing funds data across 11 sustainability themed asset segments.
Responsible Funds, February 3: the round-up of ESG funds news
RI’s regular look at responsible funds news
RI Governance, Feb. 2: MSCI’s governance earnings slip in fourth quarter
RI’s regular review of governance developments
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
Aviva Investors’ SRI team seeks to stay together with new parent
Team leader Michaelis confirms intention
Aviva Investors cuts London SRI equity desk amid wider job cull
Formation of new Global Responsible Investment Team
UK’s €10bn responsible investment-focused pensions lifeboat in bond move
Leading responsible investor seeking bond managers
RI People & Appointments, January 30: New chairman at Finnish pension giant
RI’s regular round-up of responsible people moves
RI Briefing, January 25: Royal Bank of Canada in social and environmental initiative
RI’s regular review of responsible investing developments
Corporate Knights’ corporate sustainability ranking launched with Kiernan’s Inflection Point input
New ‘Global Responsible Investment Network’ formed
US fund manager offers free RI training to asset owners
RI Academy programme proposed to hundreds of pension funds and their trustees.
Reto Ringger’s Globalance taps ex-Deutsche wealth chief for board
New top appointment at SAM founder’s new venture
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
RI People & Appointments, January 23: ex-UN PRI operating chief takes up mission investing post
Ri’s regular round-up of people news
Group warns Bank of England over “systemic risk” of high carbon investments
Investors and campaign groups write to BOE Governor
RI Governance & Engagement, Jan. 19: Tokyo exchange planning governance changes
RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement news
Siemens faces investor call at Jan 24 AGM to quit US Chamber of Commerce over bribery issue
German company faces ‘reputation risk’ say investors as DoJ reviews Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Investors braced for key UK executive pay proposals next week as Fidelity enters debate
Long-awaited government pay proposals to be unveiled by Business Secretary Vince Cable
RI Briefing, January 18: UN PRI signatory managers sought by Danish pension funds
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Clean Investor, January 17: CDP chief named to Clean Development Mechanism panel
RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news
RI People & Appointments, January 16: US SIF names four new board members
RI’s regular round-up of people 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.
Responsible Funds, January 13: the round-up of ESG funds news
RI’s regular look at responsible funds news
RI Governance & Engagement, Jan. 12: CalSTRS votes against entire Aberdeen AM board
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement developments
British Columbia investment giant hires corporate engagement manager
Canadian investor hires engagement specialist from mutual fund firm
RI Briefing, January 11: SAM looks at obesity crisis & investment opportunities
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing developments
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
Threadneedle names new Head of Governance and Responsible Investment
€75bn funds firm hires from rival Aviva Investors
RI People & Appointments, January 9: New operations chief at APG
RI’s regular round-up of people news
Responsible Funds, Jan. 6: the round-up of ESG funds news
RI’s regular look at responsible funds news
RI Governance & Engagement, Jan. 5: Funds take legal action over failed brokerage MF Global
RI Briefing, January 4: €5bn charity sector fund signs up to Stewardship Code
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
EXCLUSIVE: Goldman Sachs Asset Management makes responsible investing commitment
GSAM signs up to UN PRI and plots ESG integration process.
Clean Investor, December 20: Clean Development Mechanism under review
RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news
RI People & Appointments, Dec. 19: J.P. Morgan seeks Director of Environmental Performance
RI’s regular round-up of people news
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
RI Governance & Engagement, Dec. 15: US pension funds take on drilling firm Nabors over pay
RI’s regular look at governance and engagement news
Pension-backed NIBC fund expands German wind portfolio
The latest in a string of transactions
RI Briefing, Dec. 14: $4bn set to go into impact investments - JP Morgan
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
RI Interview: Francois Passant, new Eurosif head on Brussels and changes to the SRI market survey
Evolution not revolution, says former Vanguard exec.
Clean Investor, December 13: Carbon Disclosure Project seeks partnership with exchanges, regulators
The regular round-up of clean investing news
Henderson SRI team’s talks with management end
Six-strong team will be made redundant after talks reach no outcome.
UK government sets up £200m interim Green Investments team, seeks fund managers
Green Investment Bank gets a step closer
RI People & Appointments, December 12: New class actions head at ISS
RI’s regular round-up of people news
RI Governance & Engagement, Dec. 8: Australian govt looks at role of AGMs
RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement news
RI Briefing, December 7: Hedge fund giant signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Clean Investor, December 6: Deutsche Bank on Durban climate talks
The regular Tuesday round-up of clean investing news
RI People & Appointments, Dec. 5: Switzerland’s Ethos seeks Enviro & Social Sustainability Head
RI’s regular round-up of people news
Responsible Funds, Dec. 2: the round-up of ESG funds news
RI’s regular look at responsible funds news
RI Briefing, Nov. 30: Global Reporting Initiative names new chairman
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing 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
RI People & Appointments, November 28: JP Morgan’s environmental markets MD departs
RI’s regular round-up of people news
US industrial group freed to omit Walden political spending proposal
Dispute over mailing date
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.
RI Governance & Engagement, Nov. 24: New engagement on Canadian oil sands
The regular round-up of governance and engagement developments
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
US sustainable investment forum raises concerns over integrated reporting (amended)*
US SIF fears diminished ESG reporting
Clean Investor, November 22: Dutch institutions buy into onshore windfarm portfolio
RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news
Misinterpreted fiduciary duty driving short-termism, says Fair Pensions
Beneficiaries can drive long-termism and stewardship, says campaign group
AEGON makes major new RI statement for €413bn group assets
Insurer to make third party managers RI compliant.
RI People & Appointments, Nov. 21: top asset management exec joins BSkyB board
RI’s regular round-up of people news
Responsible Funds, November 18: the round-up of ESG funds news
RI fund launches, closes and asset data.
Church investors meet with FTSE-listed hotel chains over Olympic trafficking
Hotels in spotlight ahead of London games
EU issues resumé of responses to corporate governance green paper
Document indicates thinking of industry respondents on the main reform questions.
US sustainability investor Calvert axes UK asset manager from sub-advisory role over performance
F&C mandate replaced by multi-manager structure.
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.
RI Briefing, Nov. 16: Pensions guru Ambactsheer: sustainable investing can buck headwinds capitalism
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
TUC: manager voting survey indicates shareholders “not doing their job properly”
Challenge comes as UK government reiterates exec pay legislation threat.
RI People & Appointments, Nov. 14: former SAM research head sets up new firm
RI’s regular round-up of people moves
US asset management firm comes out in support of Occupy Wall Street
Responsible investors backing protest movement
Responsible Funds, November 11: the round-up of ESG funds news
RI fund launches, closes and asset data.
RI Governance & Engagement, November 10: NBIM takes on Goldman over mortgage securities
RI’s regular review of governance news
RI Briefing, November 9: GRI launches sustainability disclosure database
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Clean Investor, November 8: Clean tech investments by NBIM, Generation IM
The round-up of clean investing news
Major new study of financial ethics published by St Paul’s Cathedral institute
Cathedral at heart of ‘Occupy London’ protests releases timely survey
RI People & Appointments, November 7: UN PRI marketing chief steps down
RI’s regular Monday people round-up
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.
RI Governance & Engagement, Nov. 3: €10bn UK fund tenders proxy voting
RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement developments
Bishop meets institutional investors on executive pay as Church softens Occupy London stance
Plans for Church group to examine the ethics of finance.
RI Briefing Nov. 2: Threadneedle announces controversial weapons investment policy
RI’s regular round of responsible investing news
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
Brazilian banking giant Itaú launches sustainability and governance ETFs
New exchange traded funds from giant banking group
RI People & Appointments, Oct. 31: UKSIF Leadership Programme appointments
RI’s regular round-up of people news
Responsible Funds, Oct. 28: the round-up of ESG funds news
RI fund launches, closes and asset data.
RI Governance & Engagement, Oct. 27: Australia pilots Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
RI’s regular round-up of governance news
RI Briefing, October 26: Trucost launches sustainability app
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Clean Investor, October 25: PGGM, Triodos in offshore wind tranmission sale
RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news
RI People & Apppointments, Oct. 24: International Integrated Reporting Committee names CEO
RI’s regular round-up of people news
Investor group calls for James Murdoch to leave Sotheby’s and GSK boards
Union-affiliated CtW widens scrutiny on News Corp. director
Asset owners testing climate change theme through PE fund-of-funds route
First closes indicate growing appetite from investors.