Growing investor support for coalition on shale gas link to methane emissions

Growing backing for Scottish Widows’ initiative

$2trn investor coalition calls for mandatory corporate sustainability reporting

Group steps up call ahead of next month’s Rio+20 summit

New York City funds increase pressure on Wal-Mart over Mexican bribery allegations

Letter to fellow shareholders as proxy firms weigh in

RI ESG Briefing, May 22: Pfizer, Potash removed from sustainability index

The round-up of environmental, social and governance news

RI People & Appointments, May 21: UN PRI seeks Head of Research & Public Policy

ESG movers and shakers

Campaign group As You Sow rebuts Exxon Mobil over fracking risks

Group issues detailed response to energy giant

$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

PRI makes top-level hire of NYC Pensions Director for US signatory push

Asset owner recruitment will be at heart of new Network Manager role.

More German asset owners sign up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment

PRI continues to gain traction in Germany

Support grows for Investors Against Genocide proposal at J.P. Morgan

Ongoing campaign gets backing from major institutions

Aviva CEO Moss steps down after shareholder pay revolt

New interim chief aims to “regain the respect” of shareholders

Big US pension funds take on Wal-Mart over Mexican bribery allegations

CalSTRS sues while New York funds rally fellow investors

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

New Zealand Superannuation fund plots major forestry move

Responsible investor talks with Harvard Management Co. over Kaingaroa estate

RI ESG Briefing, May 1: New York City funds to vote against Wal-Mart directors

The round-up of environmental, social and governance news

CalPERS says investors must put ‘F’ for financial reform into ESG

Fund lays out five principles for its own market health agenda.

RI People & Appointments, April 30: Canadian funds hire BP exec for forestry role

ESG movers and shakers

Major institutional investors back IFC’s first US-targeted green bond

New $500m US-targeted bond is well-received

Six major US funds take “extraordinary action” over real estate firm’s governance

$685bn asset owner group writes to fellow shareholders

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

RI ESG Briefing, April 26: UK eyes renewable energy trading

The round-up of environmental, social and governance news

CalPERS’ first ESG report and new PRI framework show progress of responsible investment reporting

The age of transparency is slowly emerging

Faith investors respond to Walmart Mexico bribery reports

Statement from Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility

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

RI ESG Briefing, April 19: New Canadian board diversity database launched

The round-up of ESG news

Dutch pension fund giant explains why it voted against Citigroup pay

More details from investor on unexpected annual meeting result

UK pension fund group says banks could be breaching law by overstating assets

Risks identified over IFRS accounting standard.

RI ESG Briefing, April 18: Shell invites SRI investors to visit Nigeria operations

The round-up of ESG news

Foreign investors take stand against Volkswagen chief Piech at AGM (Update)

At least four non-domestic institutions oppose election to board

Pension funds vote down Citigroup executive pay as bank loses AGM vote

Unexpected defeat at shareholder meeting for banking giant

New York City funds make diversity disclosure agreements at Goldman Sachs, MetLife

Focus shifts to advertising industry

RI People & Appointments, April 16: CalPERS names ethics chief

ESG movers and shakers

Goldman sets out opposition to shareholder proposal on political lobbying

Points to new policy developed after shareholder engagement

RI ESG Briefing, April 13: Generation IM backs waste-to-energy firm’s financing

The round-up of ESG news

Norwegian pension fund drums up support for US governance campaign

Investor presentations on ‘proxy access’ proposals

BP AGM: almost 12% of votes go against remuneration report

Oil major facing investors almost two years after Deepwater Horizon

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

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

Investors’ “fracking” proposal at ExxonMobil gets SEC go-ahead

Shareholder motions on “fracking” and sexual orientation

Asset owners call for global debate on materiality in financial reporting (Update)

Response to European regulatory consultation

$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

US faith investor votes at BP AGM (Corrected)

Corrects story

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 puts off decision on corporate emissions reporting

Carbon Disclosure Project: “surprised and disappointed”

RI ESG Briefing: ISS fires employee for supplying confidential client data

The daily round-up of environmental, social and governance news

Call for investors to support sustainable stock exchanges

Exchanges see “investor ambivalence” – report

RI ESG Briefing: Danish pension fund’s Deepwater Horizon-related case dismissed

The daily round-up of environmental, social and governance news

Institutional investor-backed Royal Bank of Scotland legal action goes forward

Action group delivers claim against bank and directors

Norwegian fund giant’s environmental investments slip

Environmental mandates return -22.8% in 2011

RI profile: How one of Switzerland’s largest pension schemes invested CHF130m into microfinance

PK Post’s Rolf Maurer explains how the fund made the strategic move.

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

Environment, March 13: Norway fund buys into California water project

RI’s regular round-up of environmental investing news

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

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

Investors get high-level support for Draghi letter on climate ‘stranded’ assets

Appeal to ECB Chief goes out today.

Florida pension giant brings global proxy voting in-house

Mirrors shift to combined global equity portfolio

Environment, February 28: New carbon indices launched for Australia, Europe and Japan

RI’s regular review of environmental investing news

Corporate political spending the big issue for proxy season – As You Sow

Proliferation of shareholder resolutions since Citizens United

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.

SEC should back corporate political spending disclosure to investors – Commissioner

SEC Commissioner backs shareholders’ right to information

Investors step up annual board vote threat on 30% female exec representation

World’s largest fund manager among new 30% Club signatories

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

Study finds obstacles to implementing faith-based investment

A “lack of tools and services” for religious investors

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

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

Private equity giant Carlyle working with Dutch pension funds on ESG

Firm reveals “working partnerships” with funds

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

California may force companies to disclose political contributions

Proposed legislation before California State Senate

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

RI People & Appointments, Feb. 13: New investment chief at Australian Ethical

The round-up of ESG movers and shakers

Dell, Intel and Motorola under fire from NYC funds on supply chain labour rights

Adopt voluntary standards or face AGM votes, funds tell tech companies.

RI Governance, Feb. 9: Finland’s Ilmarinen appeals ‘minimum dividend’ judgment (update)

RI’s round-up of governance and engagement news

Major pension fund-backed offshore wind farm set for official launch

Walney project shows role of institutional investors

New York City funds in positive engagement over clawbacks at banks

Withdrawal of shareholder proposal follows “informative and productive” discussions

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

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

Candidates must be signatories to the UN PRI

RI Governance, Feb. 2: MSCI’s governance earnings slip in fourth quarter

RI’s regular review of governance developments

Ontario Teachers fund writes to 665 companies outlining exec pay expectations

Canada’s Teachers gets specific on remuneration

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

Ending Wall Street’s big sleep on sustainability

A recent closed meeting of investors looked at moving from words to action.

Norwegian pension fund meets resistance in US shareholder rights campaign

Western Union seeks to omit shareholder resolution from ballot

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

A third of Swedish companies making little sustainability progress despite local investor pressure

Sustainable Value Creation in Sweden reports second year findings.

RI Governance, Jan. 26: New proxy consultant launches in UK

RI’s regular round-up of govenrance and engagement news

Shareholders withdraw Pfizer lobbying resolution as company agrees to dialogue

Pharma giant commits to “future dialogue”

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

RI’s regular review of responsible investing developments

US fund manager offers free RI training to asset owners

RI Academy programme proposed to hundreds of pension funds and their trustees.

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

New Dutch class action pay-out could lead investors to chase US claims in the Netherlands

Lawyers exploit Dutch Court of Appeals to get shareholder damages.

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

Bank of America seeks to omit NY funds’ proposal on mortgage foreclosures

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.

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

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

RI People & Appointments, January 9: New operations chief at APG

RI’s regular round-up of people 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

SEC planning rules on disclosure of investors’ executive pay votes

New provisions under the Dodd-Frank Act

UN Environment Programme shutters Climate Neutral Network web portal

300-member low carbon project shelved

RI Governance & Engagement, Dec. 22: New York City funds hold big banks to account

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

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

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

€55bn investor group presses Canadian government on extractives

Canada urged to sign up to industry transparency initiative

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.

Asset owners seeking stewardship assurance from fund managers - watchdog

Stewardship becoming integral to investment mandates, says FRC

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

RI People & Appointments, December 12: New class actions head at ISS

RI’s regular round-up of people news

New UK workplace pension giant to use ESG research from EIRIS

NEST also backs Stewardship Code and UKSIF

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

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

South African pensions body signs major ESG implementation agreement

Framework will help fund trustees build capacity to meet new regulations.

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

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

Comments made in Parliament by non-governmental organisation

NYC funds withdraw Hewlett-Packard sustainability proposal after engagement

Pension fund meeting with HP’s sustainability chief

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

The regular Tuesday round-up of clean investing news

Norwegian government fund seeks to nominate directors at big US firms

Norges makes its first ever ‘proxy access’ move

RI People & Appointments, Dec. 5: Switzerland’s Ethos seeks Enviro & Social Sustainability Head

RI’s regular round-up of people news

NBIM to publish written expectations on board accountability

One of six strategic focus areas for influential investor

MP warns investors about News Corp. computer hacking allegations

Local Authority Pension Fund Forum conference told of risks

RI Governance & Engagement, Dec. 1: Class action lawyers looking at Olympus

RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement news

Giant UK coal mining pension funds sign up to Stewardship Code

Latest asset owners to issue compliance statement

RI Briefing, Nov. 30: Global Reporting Initiative names new chairman

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

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

RI People & Appointments, November 28: JP Morgan’s environmental markets MD departs

RI’s regular round-up of people news

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

California pension giant votes against entire BSkyB board

Investor pressure ahead of next week’s AGM

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

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.

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

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

PensionDanmark makes sustainable agriculture investment.

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

LAPFF opposes James Murdoch’s re-election as BSkyB chairman

Voting alert follows engagement and evidence before Parliament

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