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

Energy giant becomes first listed company to back new German Sustainability Code

Blue chip backing is a major boost for new code

Campaign group As You Sow rebuts Exxon Mobil over fracking risks

Group issues detailed response to energy giant

RI interview: Michelle Edkins, BlackRock: leading the shareholder spring?

The governance chief of the world’s biggest fund manager talks say-on-pay and better board oversight.

40% back union pension fund’s proposal for independent chair at J.P. Morgan

Dutch pension giant PGGM votes against Dimon as director

Broker survey reveals more than half would look more long term in absence of quarterly numbers

Citi analysts encouraged to comment on pros and cons of 3-month reports.

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

Ongoing campaign gets backing from major institutions

RI interview: Anne Simpson, CalPERS: building a global coalition of asset owners on governance

How an informal group of the world’s largest asset owners is seeking to change the corporate governance landscape.

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

RI ESG Briefing, May 2: Christian Brothers on Parliament’s Murdoch verdict

The round-up of environmental, social and governance news

German insurers debate voluntary cluster bomb exclusion

Lack of agreement by industry players

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

$685bn asset owner group writes to fellow shareholders

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

German institutional shareholder advisor VIP critical of Deutsche Bank CEO plan

Further pressure on banking giant in run-up to AGM

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

New German corporate sustainability code gaining momentum

Energy giant RWE says it is considering signing up

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.

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

French investor calls for CEO/Chair split and oversight committee at SocGen

Corporate governance rising on French investor agenda.

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

Focus shifts to advertising industry

Goldman sets out opposition to shareholder proposal on political lobbying

Points to new policy developed after shareholder engagement

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

RI interview: Teresa Fogelberg, GRI Deputy CEO: Rio+20 report or explain on corporate sustainability

GRI believes its proposal could be adopted in Brazil.

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

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

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

ESG Asia conference: Singapore Exchange to survey 100 largest companies on ESG reporting

Study to be carried out by KPMG.

ERAFP takes major French step with shareholder voting and engagement policy

Move comes as AMF regulator consults on AGM process.

What corporates, analysts and exchanges think of Blood and Gore’s ‘Sustainable Capitalism’ manifesto

RI asked the finance industry what it made of Generation’s much-discussed thought paper.

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

Action group delivers claim against bank and directors

RI Governance, March 15: New York City funds in director nomination push at two firms

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

UK starts six-week consultation on final binding shareholder pay vote laws

Final review to examine impact, costs and benefits.

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

Proliferation of shareholder resolutions since Citizens United

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

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

UK CEOs paid ‘excessive’ short and long-term bonuses compared to European peers: report

UK corporate chiefs 7 out of 10 best-paid in Europe in 2011

California may force companies to disclose political contributions

Proposed legislation before California State Senate

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.

Counting share buy-backs as dividends is overstating investor returns!

Shareholders are starting to resist a technically dubious and politically dangerous trait, says Pierre-Henri Leroy.

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

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

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 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

Norwegian pension fund meets resistance in US shareholder rights campaign

Western Union seeks to omit shareholder resolution from ballot

US investors push House of Representatives on forced labour law

House proposal would oblige companies to identify and report risks.

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

Sustainable Value Creation in Sweden reports second year findings.

Shareholders withdraw Pfizer lobbying resolution as company agrees to dialogue

Pharma giant commits to “future dialogue”

Vedanta Wal-Mart and Freeport most excluded companies in European investor sample: Novethic

15 most blacklisted companies listed by large investors.

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.

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.

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

RI Governance & Engagement, Jan. 12: CalSTRS votes against entire Aberdeen AM board

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement developments

MIT Sloan Survey: take up of business critical sustainability initiatives has reached tipping point

Number of companies profiting from sustainability lower but rising.

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 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

Bob Monks hits out at SEC plans to clamp down on shareholder voting advisers

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

Olympus scandal highlights need for tighter focus on corporate governance in Japan

Increased levels of accountability and transparency are needed if Japanese companies are to attract long-term shareholders.

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

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

RI Briefing, December 21: Microfinance transparency project winds down

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing 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

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

List compiled after lengthy risk engagement with companies.

NYC funds withdraw Hewlett-Packard sustainability proposal after engagement

Pension fund meeting with HP’s sustainability chief

Norwegian government fund seeks to nominate directors at big US firms

Norges makes its first ever ‘proxy access’ move

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

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

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Academic study finds flaws in corporate CSR reporting

Survey of 4,000 companies finds mistakes and omissions

California pension giant votes against entire BSkyB board

Investor pressure ahead of next week’s AGM

US sustainable investment forum raises concerns over integrated reporting (amended)*

US SIF fears diminished ESG reporting

Church investors meet with FTSE-listed hotel chains over Olympic trafficking

Hotels in spotlight ahead of London games

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

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

Index titans seal merger agreement

India’s struggle against corruption: what could the LokPal bill mean for companies and investors?

Anna Hazare’s campaign could start to break the cycle of graft.

RI Governance & Engagement, Nov. 3: €10bn UK fund tenders proxy voting

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

What’s in this week’s EU CSR Communication and Transparency Directive for investors?

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

EU Transparency Directive outlines new extractives and logging company reporting standards

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

EU considers requiring all financial institutions to disclose responsible investment criteria

Sweeping “Responsible Business” proposals from European Commission

Dutch pension giants vote against Murdochs as CalPERS hails “winds of change”

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

Investor group calls for James Murdoch to leave Sotheby’s and GSK boards

Union-affiliated CtW widens scrutiny on News Corp. director

RI People & Appointments, October 17: TIAA-CREF seks MD, Global Social & Community Investing

RI’s regular Monday review of people news

CalPERS to back innovative floor resolution calling for separate CEO/Chair at News Corp.

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

New York City funds trigger Microsoft supply chain commitment

Software giant says it appreciates discussions with shareholders

RI Briefing, October 12: UK ethical investment reaches €12.9bn says EIRIS

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Investors back EU on enhanced disclosure for extractives companies

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

Pressure mounts on News Corp board as US proxy firms weigh in

ISS and Glass Lewis recommend director no votes.

£100bn UK pension fund group opposes Murdochs at News Corp AGM

Decision follows engagement with company

RI Governance & Engagement, Oct. 6: Pension case vs. ratings agencies gets go-ahead

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

Oil sands: a policy engagement role for responsible investors

An incomplete or uncertain regulatory environment can increase risk for both companies and investors.

The future of fish: investors get active on unsustainable fishing practices

Engagement could be a turning point for marine engagement.

Top 13 extractives giants own 6,000+ subsidiaries as EU mulls country-by-country reports for sector

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

Australian super funds urged to vote against News Corp directors

ACSI recommendations follow phone hacking scandal

RI Analysis: How judge rejected pension fund claim over Goldman bonuses

Investment bank defeats investors over bonus billions

RI Governance & Engagement, Sept. 22: Malaysia seeks to boost corporate disclosure

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

Pension fund class action against US finance giant Hartford dismissed

Plaintiffs’ assumptions “faulty” says judge

ATP and others lose out in UBS mortgage-backed securities class action

Legal decision in credit-crisis related case

Major US companies reporting climate change strategies, says CDP

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

$1.6trn investor-led coalition calls for integrated sustainability reporting

Group targets both listed and large unlisted firms

UK considers introducing binding shareholder votes on executive pay

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

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

CDP Chairman Alan Brown in broadside at investment community.

RI Briefing, September 14: Canada’s OTPP signs up to UN PRI

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news

$2trn global investor group urges SEC to bring in new director election rules

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

EU to push on with tougher ‘comply-or-explain’ corporate governance reporting, while UK pushes back

UK Business Secretary says government will seek EU support to block any changes.

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

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

UK banking giant RBS cuts links to cluster bomb clients

Chief executive sends email response to campaigners

$18trn International Corporate Governance Network backs corporate political spending disclosure

Investor group supports academics’ petition to SEC

Pension funds in class action over banks’ LIBOR price fixing

US institutional investors in potential multi-billion dollar case

RI Governance & Engagement, August 25: Investors urge SEC to pursue proxy access case

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

RI Governance & Engagement, August 11: Australian super funds release new governance guidelines

RI’s regular review of governance developments

RI Briefing, August 10: Lothian pension fund awards ESG-themed mandates

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Institutional investor group calls on Shell and Total to cease Syria operations

NBIM wants “market-wide rethink” on how investors tackle remuneration

Voting on executive pay a “distraction” says giant investor

Ontario Teachers pension fund takes activist stance at McGraw-Hill

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

How low pay is moving up pension funds’ governance agendas

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

Listed Dutch firms improving ESG disclosure says Eumedion

But more transparency still needed, says governance forum

$1.2trn investor group calls for “strong, legally binding” Arms Trade Treaty

Treaty “directly relevant” to the long-term financial interests of investors

RI Governance & Engagement, July 14: PIRC calls for new chair at BSkyB

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Dutch engaged share ownership guidance launched by Eumedion

New “stewardship” guidance from €1trn investor forum

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

CDP rejects claims its data is ignored.

The RI Interview: Lord Myners on governance - practising what he preaches

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

Asset owners, fund managers to sit on UK’s new Kay Review panel

Government confirms role of asset owners in major systemic review

UK’s €9bn Church investors target supermarkets over cheap alcohol

“We want to use our influence as shareholders”

RI Governance & Engagement, June 23: Record 109 proxies in 2011

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Norwegian govt fund embroiled in Indonesia illegal logging allegations

Investor facing scrutiny from NGO

RI Governance & Engagement, June 16: Call for Shell to exit Syria

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Calvert’s Amazon.com climate change proposal gets big-name support

Responsible investors see case for climate change report

Bloomberg, TIAA-CREF support new Global Initiative for Sustainability Ratings project

Ceres/Tellus Institute project gets underway

Singapore introduces guidance on shareholder engagement

Monetary Authority consultation calls for “constructive relationship” with companies

Google facing sustainability proposal at annual meeting

Internet giant argues against board sustainability committee

RI Governance & Engagement, June 2: Proxy Governance chief joins NYSE

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Shareholders’ ESG proposals get strong backing at Exxon Mobil annual meeting

Investors show support for resolutions

Remuneration at heart of new OECD guidelines for multinationals

Tougher standards to protect human rights and social development

NY pension fund motion on sexual orientation gets massive support at KBR

Strong support for a shareholder proposal opposed by management

RI Governance & Engagement, May 26: SocGen CEO opposed by 15% at AGM

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Ernst & Young buys Proxy Governance assets

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

Investors call on Chevron to settle $18bn Ecuador case

Signatories sought for letter challenging oil major

$900bn investor coalition to write to Russell 1000 CEOs in sustainability push

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

US pension giants make massive ESG commitments

Funds collaborate with business groups in new sustainable economy roundtable

RI Round-up: how big funds have voted on US ESG proposals

Investor votes on climate change, pharmaceutical prices, executive pay

UK reporting watchdog forced Rio Tinto to publish ESG financial risks

Investigation followed complaint from investor.

Amazon.com facing climate change resolution at AGM

Investors have opportunity to hold firm to account

Is the EU Green Paper the end for ‘comply and explain’ corporate governance?

Regulators may start to challenge corporate ‘explanations’.

European fund association puts forward own version of Stewardship Code

EFAMA also seeks role in responsible investment standards

RI Governance & Engagement, May 6: Stewardhip Code covers 40% of UK AUM

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Proxy Round-up: Key ESG shareholder proposals at US AGMs (May 5-17)

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

UK authorities launch consultation on boardroom diversity

FRC wants “workable alternative to quotas”

NY pension fund keeps environmental pressure on mining giant Freeport-McMoRan

New York Common Fund files shareholder resolution for June AGM.

Australian Future Fund divests from defence companies

Exclusions amid treaty ratification and increased ESG focus

Co-op invests in West Bank-linked Veolia and Alstom despite misgivings

Investor takes “pragmatic” view of companies’ operations

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

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Dutch pension giants voted against BP safety chief

Influential asset owners refused to back Sir William Castell

Shareholders back independent chair at ratings agency Moody’s

“Landmark” shareholder vote at company meeting

Australia’s first climate change resolution gets 8.5% backing

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

RI Briefing, April 20: AFL-CIO unveils Executive PayWatch site

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

BP’s ghost reappears but have asset owners learned their lessons?

Australia’s first climate change AGM resolution at Woodside Petroleum takes place on April 20.

Investors register protest over BP’s safety committee chairman

43% of votes against Castell – CBIS

Norwegian investor KLP votes against BP chairman

Environment committee chief and remuneration also rejected

Giant US pension funds weigh into BP AGM protest

CalPERS and Florida SBA also vote against environmental committee chief

Wal-Mart could face shareholder resolution on supply chain sustainability

SEC gives OK to New York Pension Funds’ AGM proposal

RI Briefing, April 6: FTSE launches ESG ratings service

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Getting transparent with the extractives industry: the EITI

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

New California hybrid corporate form could bring mainstream capital to social enterprises

The Flexible Purpose Corp. is being pushed in the Senate

EU wants a “critical mass” of shareholders taking engagement seriously

Long-awaited Green Paper on Corporate Governance from European Commission

Goldman Sachs facing six ESG resolutions at annual general meeting

Investors table questions on pay and climate change

RI Governance & Engagement: April 1: RWE, BP, US proxies, fifth analyst call

RI’s round-up of the most important corporate governance and shareholder engagement news.

BP faces pressure from world’s biggest investor proxy voting firms ahead of AGM

Influential advisors take oil major to task over remuneration and safety.

Clean Investor, March 29: Impax sets up US subsidiary

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

RI People & Appointments, March 28: SocGen boosts SRI broker research team

RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.

RI Governance & Engagement, March 25: BP to meet with SRI investors

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

RI Governance & Engagement, March 18: Renault facing shareholder resolution on CEO pay

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Call for “thorough investigation” into monitoring role of shareholders

Belgian governance chief’s intervention ahead of EU Green Paper

FTSE4Good deletes software giant Oracle over human and labour rights

South Korea and Israel added to investment universe in review

RI People & Appointments, March 14: Female directors proposed at Deutsche, Munich Re

RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.

RI Comment: BP’s AGM - where’s Deepwater?

RI Governance & Engagement, March 11: Latest legal moves in US proxy access battle

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

RI Briefing, March 9: GovernanceMetrics report on women on listed company boards

RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.