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Consultants
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
RI People & Appointments, May 9: APG seeking Governance & Sustainability Specialist
ESG movers and shakers
MSCI and Barclays partner on global ESG bond indices
New index series aims to fill gap in the market
RI ESG Briefing, May 1: New York City funds to vote against Wal-Mart directors
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
German institutional shareholder advisor VIP critical of Deutsche Bank CEO plan
Further pressure on banking giant in run-up to AGM
RI People & Appointments, April 23: South Africa investment chief joins Global Compact board
ESG movers and shakers
Pension funds vote down Citigroup executive pay as bank loses AGM vote
Unexpected defeat at shareholder meeting for banking giant
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
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 People & Appointments, April 2: Sustainalytics’ Germany MD joins life insurer
ESG movers and shakers
RI ESG Briefing: Allianz takes renewables investment to €1.3bn with wind farm deals
The daily round-up of environmental, social and governance news
ESG Asia conference: Singapore Exchange to survey 100 largest companies on ESG reporting
Study to be carried out by KPMG.
RI People & Appointments, March 26: New role for former UNEP FI head Clements-Hunt
ESG movers and shakers
Sustainalytics to buy Asian ESG research rival
Deal for Responsible Research expected to close in May
Leading investment consultant calls for better ESG mandates
Owners need to show leadership, says respected industry figure
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.
Shareholders and campaigners call for legal clarity on fiduciary responsibility
Mis-interpretation leads to erroneous focus on short-term returns
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
Florida pension giant brings global proxy voting in-house
Mirrors shift to combined global equity portfolio
Corporate political spending the big issue for proxy season – As You Sow
Proliferation of shareholder resolutions since Citizens United
RI Governance, February 23: South African state investor takes stand on exec pay
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement developments
Study looks at pay, headcount and gender balance at SRI firms
Survey from recruitment firm
RI People & Appointments, February 20: SNS names Active Ownership Specialist
ESG movers and shakers
Institutional Shareholder Services employee suspended in kickback probe
ISS says it is taking the matter “extremely seriously”
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
MSCI: Environmental, Social and Governance Trends to Watch in 2012
Accounting for natural capital, conflicting water demands and the shifting debate on climate change
RI Briefing, February 1: Man Group hopes others will follow its lead on UN PRI
RI’s regular review of responsible investing news
RI People & Appointments, January 30: New chairman at Finnish pension giant
RI’s regular round-up of responsible people moves
RI Governance, Jan. 26: New proxy consultant launches in UK
RI’s regular round-up of govenrance and engagement news
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
RI People & Appointments, January 23: ex-UN PRI operating chief takes up mission investing post
Ri’s regular round-up of people news
RI People & Appointments, January 16: US SIF names four new board members
RI’s regular round-up of people news
Mercer says global institutional investors starting to address climate risk
Consultant’s follow-up to groundbreaking 2011 climate change research
UK government indicates binding pay vote on the way: but will it work?
PM Cameron says there is a market failure on pay, so let the ‘market’ decide!
RI People & Appointments, Dec. 19: J.P. Morgan seeks Director of Environmental Performance
RI’s regular round-up of people news
RI People & Appointments, December 12: New class actions head at ISS
RI’s regular round-up of people news
RI People & Appointments, Dec. 5: Switzerland’s Ethos seeks Enviro & Social Sustainability Head
RI’s regular round-up of people news
Giant UK coal mining pension funds sign up to Stewardship Code
Latest asset owners to issue compliance statement
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
The risks of failing to act effectively on executive remuneration
It is worth considering the High Pay Commission’s proposals in detail.
RI People & Appointments, November 28: JP Morgan’s environmental markets MD departs
RI’s regular round-up of people news
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
RI Briefing, Nov. 16: Pensions guru Ambactsheer: sustainable investing can buck headwinds capitalism
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
RI People & Appointments, Nov. 14: former SAM research head sets up new firm
RI’s regular round-up of people moves
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
RI People & Appointments, November 7: UN PRI marketing chief steps down
RI’s regular Monday people round-up
Ethix SRI Advisors nabs RepRisk exec for Denmark expansion
Swedish ESG house expands footprint with key hire
Clean Investor, November 1: Climate Advocacy Fund targets ANZ on emissions
RI’s regular look at clean investment
RI People & Appointments, Oct. 31: UKSIF Leadership Programme appointments
RI’s regular round-up of people news
GMI’s CEO departs less than a year after merger
Executive Chairman steps in as interim CEO.
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
RI Governance & Engagement, Oct. 20: OTPP votes against News Corp.’s James Murdoch
RI’s regular Thusday review of corporate governance and engagement news
Mercer boosts responsible investment consulting team
Consultant nabs leading pension industry sustainability figure
Hermes EOS the latest investor body to line up against News Corp.
Pressure intensifies on embattled media giant
RI Governance & Engagement, Oct. 13: Pension suit over Goldman pay gets thrown out
RI’s regular roundup of governance news
News Corp. hits back at proxy firms as California pension giant votes against directors
Major institution rejects director candidates as company fights back
UK voting advisor Manifest teams up with Australia’s SIRIS
Melbourne branch office for corporate governance firm
RI People & Appointments, Oct. 10: Tributes to Australian RI pioneer Erik Mather
RI’s regular round-up of people moves in the responsible investment field.
RI Briefing, October 5: Finnish asset owner giant ramps up RI stance
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
RI People & Appointments, October 3: Vigeo names UK business development head
RI’s regular Monday morning round-up of people news
RI Briefing, September 28: Quebec fund signs up to UN PRI
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news
Sustainalytics and Korea’s Sustinvest announce strategic partnership
Will work together on new products for Korean market
RI Briefing, September 21: Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility celebrates 40 years
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news
RI People & Appointments, Sept. 19: ICGN names three new board members
RI’s regular Monday round-up of people news
Institutional Shareholder Services gets new president
MSCI’s corporate secretary Gary Retelny takes over from Stephen Harvey
RI Governance & Engagement, Sept. 15: new European corporate governance head at BlackRock
RI’s regular look at governance and engagement news
RI Briefing, September 14: Canada’s OTPP signs up to UN PRI
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news
RI Briefing, August 31: Denmark’s Codan launches CSR measurement project
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
RI People & Appointments, August 29: Canadian fund giant BCIMC seeks Shareholder Engagement Manager
RI’s regular round-up of people news
Investor giant CalPERS wrestles with real-life challenge of ESG
Discussions ahead of a formal ESG implementation plan to be presented to the CalPERS board later this year.
RI Briefing, August 24: €3.6bn UK fund criticised over tobacco holdings
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news
European SRI and green fund sales suffer as market tumbles: RI Lipper stats
Green fund sales down in rare fall this year.
Clean Investor, August 23: Institutions back €300m German wind/solar fund
RI’s regular look at clean investment news
RI People & Appointments, August 22: Niklasson joins Investec as Head of ESG Research
RI’s regular Monday review of people and appointments news
RI Briefing, August 17: Japan’s SRI market now worth €7.8bn - SIF-Japan
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news
RI Briefing, August 10: Lothian pension fund awards ESG-themed mandates
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
RI People & Appointments, August 8: Environment Agency fund hires Rathbone Greenbank’s Mansley
RI’s regular Monday round-up of people news
RI Briefing, August 3: India launches responsible business guidelines
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
RI Governance & Engagement, July 28: Manifest survey finds FTSE 100 CEOs’ pay soars
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
RI People & Appointments, July 25: UK’s Miliband joins cleantech investor as advisor
RI’s regular Monday round-up of people news
RI Briefing, July 20: Report sees $125bn in sustainable investment in Sub-Saharan Africa
RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.
South Africa launches responsible investing code for institutional investors
New voluntary Code for Responsible Investing in South Africa (CRISA) unveiled
RI People & Appointments, July 18: First CEO named for Global Impact Investing Network
RI’s regular Monday round-up of people news
RI Briefing, July 13: SustainAbility concludes ‘Rate the Raters’ project
RI’s regular round up of responsible investing news
RI People & Appointments, July 11: Former ASrIA head joins HSBC in climate change role
RI’s regular Monday people round-up
Six asset owner reps vie for two seats on new PRI Advisory Council
Voting open to all 900+ PRI signatories
RI analysis: institutional investors, ESG and News Corp.
Time for institutions to step up engagement?
RI Briefing, July 6: Report calls for tax breaks for long-term investors
RI’s regular round up of responsible investing news
Bob Monks makes additional investment in Trucost
Shareholder activist backs environmental data firm
Clean Investor, July 5: SWIP eyes renewable energy, energy efficiency, water & food
RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news
RI People & Appointments, July 4: UNPRI Chairman joins advisory board of clean tech finance firm
RI’s regular Monday review of people news
RI Governance & Engagement, June 30: ISS in proxy voting deal with Deutsche Börse’s Clearstream
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
RI Briefing, June 29: Calvert Foundation’s new ImpactAssets
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
Ethos calls for sweeping revision to Swiss corporate governance regime
Pension fund-backed group’s dismay over executive pay rises
Sweden’s AP7 seeks proxy voting service provider
State fund issues RFP for 2,500-company portfolio
RI People & Appointments, June 27: Mercer’s Ambachtsheer wins lifetime achievement award
RI’s regular Monday review of people news
UK institutional investment groups set up “mechanism for collective engagement”
Institutional Investor Committee sets up new high-powered Advisory Council
RI People & Appointments, June 20: Exchange exec named head of investments at NZ Super
RI’s regular Monday review of people news
Storebrand named sustainable asset owner of the year in FT/IFC awards
Environment agency wins Special Commendation
RI Governance & Engagement, June 16: Call for Shell to exit Syria
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
Bloomberg, TIAA-CREF support new Global Initiative for Sustainability Ratings project
Ceres/Tellus Institute project gets underway
RI People & Appointments, June 13: South Africa’s King to chair integrated reporting committee
RI’s regular Monday review of people news
RI Briefing, June 8: EVCA includes ESG factors in new handbook
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
Clean Investor, June 7: Natixis unveils emerging markets climate change fund
RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news
RI People & Appointments, June 6: APG names new ESG Head
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves.
RI Briefing, June 1: Germany’s DZ Bank launches sustainability ratings
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
Clean Investor, May 31: UK government commits to Zouk, HG Capital cleantech funds
RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news
UK share voting advisor avoids wind-up order over tax debt
Proxy firm reaches voluntary arrangement with creditors for repayment.
Ernst & Young buys Proxy Governance assets
Global firm sets up governance team for market “in flux”
RI People & Appointments, May 23: Ex-NBIM chief ‘to head new firm’
RI’s regular Monday review of people news
RI Governance & Engagement, May 19: Investors target companies over human trafficking, slavery
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
Investors and advisers at odds in SEC probe of compensation committees
Dodd-Frank consultation also covers executive pay advisers
RI People & Appointments, May 16: KLD founder Kinder wins Bavaria award
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
Japan nuclear crisis firm TEPCO removed from sustainability indices
Deleted over environmental management and health & safety failings
Clean Investor, May 10: Mongolian wind farm is 3,000th Clean Development Mechanism project
RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news
RI People & Appointments, May 9: asset management executive joins proxy voting firm
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
Sustainability ratings house to open Paris office
Move reflects importance of French SRI market
RI Briefing, May 4: Vontobel and Hermes cooperate on voting and engagement
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
RI People & Appointments, May 2: New chairman at Dansif
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
RI Briefing, April 27: Putnam Investments signs up to UN PRI
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
RI Briefing, April 20: AFL-CIO unveils Executive PayWatch site
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
NASDAQ sustainability index available as an investable portfolio
NASDAQ OMX CRD Global Sustainability Index joins FOLIOfn & Charles Schwab platforms
Clean Investor, April 19: Icelandic pension funds in geothermal deal
RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news
Sustainalytics hires Vigeo international business head for new Paris office
Antonio Celeste jumps ship to Dutch/Canadian ESG house.
Clean Investor, April 12: CalPERS targets renewable power generation
RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news
BlackRock taps Thomson Reuters’ ASSET4 for global ESG data
Further sign of ESG integration as global asset manager adds data
Index firm STOXX launches global ESG indices with Sustainalytics data
New “fully transparent” offering mapped to KPIs for ESG 3.0
RI Briefing, April 6: FTSE launches ESG ratings service
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
EU wants a “critical mass” of shareholders taking engagement seriously
Long-awaited Green Paper on Corporate Governance from European Commission
RI People & Appointments, April 4: HESTA searching for Fuller replacement
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
Government guidance needed to clarify fiduciary responsibility, says FairPensions
Companies Act-style provision recommended for institutional investors
RI People & Appointments, March 28: SocGen boosts SRI broker research team
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
RI Briefing, March 23: Global sustainable finance organisations hold strategic meeting
RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.
World Water Day: A drought in your portfolio?
Investors should understand the water exposure in their portfolios
Mercer ramps up responsible investment push with senior ESG hires
Investment consultant hires UN PRI’s Pollice and HESTA’s Fuller
RI People & Appointments, March 21: SIF’s DeSimone joins Sustainable Investments Institute
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
UN Principles for Responsible Investment plans radical changes to board
Fund managers and service providers to get seats on new Advisory Council
FTSE4Good deletes software giant Oracle over human and labour rights
South Korea and Israel added to investment universe in review
RI Governance & Engagement, March 11: Latest legal moves in US proxy access battle
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
RI People & Appointments, March 7: Dr. Aled Jones to head new Global Sustainability Institute
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
RI Governance & Engagement, March 4: UK panel reviewing BP reporting
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
RI Governance & Engagement, February 25: Shareholders lodge 360 US AGM resolutions
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
Australia legislates to give shareholders more say on pay
Shareholders get opportunity to remove directors over remuneration
Almost 40% of shareholders vote down Novartis board package at AGM after first ever say-on-pay
AGM is first ever advisory vote on remuneration following investor campaign.
Swiss pension fund issues bond mandate excluding arms, tobacco
CHF100m mandate also targets revenues from gambling, nuclear energy and genetically modified organisms
Proxy voting processor Broadridge’s quarterly earnings plunge almost 80%
Firm hit by “unprecedented” decline in revenues
RI People & Appointments, February 7: SocGen names Head of Sustainable Development
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
UK proxy firm Manifest planning to enter US market
Move follows closure of Proxy Governance International
RI Briefing: January 19: Oil sands firms “poor” on pay and ESG risks
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of resposible investing news
UK Stewardship Code signatories double but hedgies stay away
Wellcome Trust among six new asset owners to back code
CalSTRS backs latest US corporate governance merger
Audit Integrity teams up with Corporate Library and GovernanceMetrics
Comment: NAPF misses the point on Stewardship?
NAPF fails to rally vital asset owner role in underpinning the Stewardship Code.
Second investment consultant signs up to UK Stewardship Code
Aon Hewitt to encourage clients to support code
Swedish AP funds name ESG analysis providers
€86.5bn buffer funds complete procurement
Bloomberg to launch water data and analysis service
Media giant adds to ESG service offering
Aviva Investors poaches EIRIS research head
Maier to head up corporate responsibility at €294bn asset manager
RI Briefing, November 8: FRR, Northwest & Ethical, LD Pension, Oikocredit
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Deadline extended for UK Sustainable City Awards
Corporation of London sets November 15 as new cut-off
Controversial mining firm added to Dow Jones sustainability index
Swedish and Canadian pension funds had targeted Goldcorp over Guatemala operations
Sustainability key to groundbreaking joint mandate tender by £9.9bn UK local authority group
Sustainability questionnaire part of advisor selection as seven regional funds work together to save money.
Hermes EOS considers opening US office after Joffe leaves for Goldman
Engagement firm recruiting new North America exec
Twelve UK asset owners sign up to new Stewardship Code
“Critical mass” of investors emerging
NZ Superannuation Fund looking at ‘Positive Investment’
€8.8bn state fund also considering footprint of total portfolio
Carbon Disclosure Project unveils FTSE 350 climate leaders
Plaudits for HSBC, Reckitt Benckiser, RBS, Scottish & Southern and Tesco
MSCI’s governance revenues hit by declines in proxy research, voting
Third-quarter earnings report released
ESG now integrated at $6.8trn of assets globally, UN PRI says
United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment progress report
EIRIS formally launches engagement service
EIRIS Engagement Service set for global roll-out
NYSE calls for probe into proxy firms
Final report of exchange’s corporate governance panel released
RiskMetrics founder Berman leaves MSCI
Departure ahead of schedule as integration takes shape
GES, Manifest form responsible investment partnership
“Holistic solution” as ESG consultant and proxy firm link up
Investor confidence continues to drain from green funds
RI screened funds bounce back, however, during June.
Norway’s KLP reviewing ESG providers
€22bn Norwegian manager issues request for proposal
Former ISS Chief Executive named interim chief at XBRL firm
Connolly takes role as CEO steps down
ESG factors make inroads in fixed-income portfolios
As bond assets grow so does the demand for ESG-related product.
UN Principles for Responsible Investment tops 800 signatories
Over 200 asset owners have now signed up
RI People Moves, August 30: PREI, BP, SEC, Calvert Foundation
RI’s regular round-up of industry people moves.
ISS/RiskMetrics Australia chief Paatsch quits
Prominent governance voice departs MSCI arm
RI Briefing, August 19: LD Invest, Ceres/INCR, CalPERS, Istanbul SE
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment stories
EIRIS profits slip but says client base growing
Company strikes up research partnerships in Israel and South Korea.