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Data & Research
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
New York City funds increase pressure on Wal-Mart over Mexican bribery allegations
Letter to fellow shareholders as proxy firms weigh in
Energy giant becomes first listed company to back new German Sustainability Code
Blue chip backing is a major boost for new code
SRI funds delivering “strong and competitive returns” – Canadian study
New research from Canada’s Social Investment Organization
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
SRI retail fund sales recover slightly, green funds flat - Lipper stats
Asset flows for February 2012
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.
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 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.
German insurers debate voluntary cluster bomb exclusion
Lack of agreement by industry players
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
German institutional shareholder advisor VIP critical of Deutsche Bank CEO plan
Further pressure on banking giant in run-up to AGM
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
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
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 private bank Sarasin excludes controversial weapons
Swiss move comes as UK investors reportedly impose “blanket ban”
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
German exchange teams up with CDP to offer carbon data on 1,800 global firms
Specific CDP data points on listed firms worldwide
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 ESG Briefing: Investors write to energy firms on shale flaring
The daily round-up of environmental, social and governance news
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 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 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
Responsible Funds, March 23: Netherlands’ SNS merges sustainable equity fund
The regular round-up of responsible funds news
RI ESG Briefing: UK pension fund tenders proxy voting
The daily round-up of environmental, social and governance news
World Water Day: why the water investment theme is more relevant than ever
A massive under-spend on infrastructure means pent up demand.
RI ESG Briefing: Danish pension fund’s Deepwater Horizon-related case dismissed
The daily round-up of environmental, social and governance news
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.
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
Leading investment consultant calls for better ESG mandates
Owners need to show leadership, says respected industry figure
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
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
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
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
European SRI funds slow down sales slide, green funds continue to lose assets: RI Lipper stats
Asset flows for December 2011.
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 Governance, February 16: Co-operative AM presents case study of Murdoch engagement
RI’s regular round-up of governance news
Institutional Shareholder Services employee suspended in kickback probe
ISS says it is taking the matter “extremely seriously”
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 Governance, Feb. 9: Finland’s Ilmarinen appeals ‘minimum dividend’ judgment (update)
RI’s round-up of governance and engagement news
RI Briefing, February 8: New UK social impact bond in pipeline
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
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
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
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 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.
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
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
RI Briefing, January 18: UN PRI signatory managers sought by Danish pension funds
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Responsible Funds, January 13: the round-up of ESG funds news
RI’s regular look at responsible funds news
MIT Sloan Survey: take up of business critical sustainability initiatives has reached tipping point
Number of companies profiting from sustainability lower but rising.
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
Clean Investor, January 10: French state investor signs Tunisia carbon credits deal
RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news
RI Briefing, January 4: €5bn charity sector fund signs up to Stewardship Code
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
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
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 Briefing, Dec. 14: $4bn set to go into impact investments - JP Morgan
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
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.
RI People & Appointments, December 12: New class actions head at ISS
RI’s regular round-up of people news
Ceres: US climate negotiating team should take their cue from investors
Looking at the Obama administration’s resistance to a new binding global agreement
RI funds grow more quickly and outperform average mainstream funds in Australasia: RIAA report
Broad ESG market doubles in a year.
RI People & Appointments, Dec. 5: Switzerland’s Ethos seeks Enviro & Social Sustainability Head
RI’s regular round-up of people news
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
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.
Academic study finds flaws in corporate CSR reporting
Survey of 4,000 companies finds mistakes and omissions
Ethical IFAs say clients will be unimpressed by Henderson SRI team cuts
Move is a “retrograde step” according to advisor.
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
EU issues resumé of responses to corporate governance green paper
Document indicates thinking of industry respondents on the main reform questions.
UniCredit shutters ESG equity research as head is made redundant
Troubled bank lets respected analyst go amid broader job cuts.
RI Briefing, Nov. 16: Pensions guru Ambactsheer: sustainable investing can buck headwinds capitalism
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
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
Ethix SRI Advisors nabs RepRisk exec for Denmark expansion
Swedish ESG house expands footprint with key hire
RI Briefing Nov. 2: Threadneedle announces controversial weapons investment policy
RI’s regular round of responsible investing news
It’s vital institutional investors are included for financing a low carbon future
Reform which stimulates investment in climate change could be key to long-term sustainable growth
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.
Norges Bank sets up 4,000-company ESG database
New resource for portfolio managers and analysts
RI Governance & Engagement, Oct. 27: Australia pilots Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
RI’s regular round-up of governance news
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.
RI Briefing, October 26: Trucost launches sustainability app
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Responsible Funds, Oct. 21: the round-up of ESG funds news
RI fund launches, closes and asset data.
Al Gore suggests ‘loyalty shares’ for long-term investors
L-shares a “useful mechanism for investors”
Clean Investor, October 18: Munich Re named world greenest major company in Newsweek rankings
RI’s regular Tuesday round-up of clean investing news
EU awards €225k to joint venture for ESG education project
ICGN, PRI and EFFAS join forces to build professional development programme.
RI People & Appointments, October 17: TIAA-CREF seks MD, Global Social & Community Investing
RI’s regular Monday review of people news
CDP: majority of FTSE 350 companies way below government C02 reduction targets
A third fail to respond at all to annual carbon survey.
RI Briefing, October 12: UK ethical investment reaches €12.9bn says EIRIS
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing 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
EU firms up its plans to legislate on non-financial disclosure
Investor input to Commission expert group
UK’s largest pension fund weighs in on high frequency trading
Giant BT fund stresses “agency role” of market players
RI Governance & Engagement, Oct. 6: Pension case vs. ratings agencies gets go-ahead
RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement news
Sweden’s AP2 votes against three-quarters of pay proposals at foreign firms
New Corporate Governance report released
RI People & Appointments, October 3: Vigeo names UK business development head
RI’s regular Monday morning round-up of people news
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.
Sustainalytics and Korea’s Sustinvest announce strategic partnership
Will work together on new products for Korean market
US fund manager leads ESG “Super Factors” project with managers, asset owners and research houses
Project Delphi will feed into broader review by major European CSR groups.
California funds’ corporate director database starts accepting candidates
Milestone for CalPERS/CalSTRS’ Diverse Director DataSource
Ceres publishes guidance for sustainability proxy voting
Four principles on governance, social issues, sustainability and environmental performance
RI Briefing, September 21: Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility celebrates 40 years
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news
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
Next step beckons for children’s rights and business principles initiative
Three-month consultation period ends
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
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
SAM Indexes Managing Director Amandi leaves
Departure of senior figure in sustainable indices sector
RI blog, Erika Karp: Lady Gaga and Sustainable Investing
The performers meteoric rise can teach us a thing about doing things differently.
Sweden’s AP1 to raise allocation to ‘real assets’ to combat climate change
Leading institutional investor absorbs Mercer report
RI Briefing, August 31: Denmark’s Codan launches CSR measurement project
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
RI Governance & Engagement, August 25: Investors urge SEC to pursue proxy access case
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
Companies rate poorly on water risk, says Norges Bank
Firms score an average 2.7 out of a maximum nine
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 Governance & Engagement, August 18: ABP hits snag in Countrywide legal action
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
RI Briefing, August 17: Japan’s SRI market now worth €7.8bn - SIF-Japan
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news
Clean Investor, August 16: Church investor group welcomes Niger Delta oil spills report
RI’s regular Tuesday round-up of clean investing developments
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 Governance & Engagement, August 4: MSCI’s governance segment earnings slip 7.7%
RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagment developments
RI Briefing, August 3: India launches responsible business guidelines
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Clean Investor, August 2: Pension fund-backed infra venture buys German solar plants
RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news
RI Briefing, July 27: TIAA-CREF releases 2011 Socially Responsible Investing Annual Report
RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.
Clean Investor, July 26: Co-operative AM buys into Indian energy firm… to engage on environment
RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news
Responses to EU governance paper highlight custody, Solvency II, procurement
A look through responses from ICGN, FRC and Eurosif
Comment. Steve Lydenberg: What is responsible investment without dilemmas?
We are asking many of the hard questions that those in the mainstream financial community are often all too quick to dismiss.
Swiss pension investor Ethos excludes commodities giant Glencore from its portfolios
Allegations include so-called ‘transfer pricing’ of tax receipts out of Africa.
Asset manager RCM may start filing shareholder resolutions in ESG push
Allianz boutique ramps up global proxy voting system
RI Governance & Engagement, July 21: CalSTRS hails successful proxy season
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
RI Briefing, July 20: Report sees $125bn in sustainable investment in Sub-Saharan Africa
RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.
Listed Dutch firms improving ESG disclosure says Eumedion
But more transparency still needed, says governance forum
RI People & Appointments, July 18: First CEO named for Global Impact Investing Network
RI’s regular Monday round-up of people news
Campaigning funds firm Co-operative to be sold to Royal London
Royal London in talks to take over leading ethical investment operation
$1.2trn investor group calls for “strong, legally binding” Arms Trade Treaty
Treaty “directly relevant” to the long-term financial interests of investors
RI Briefing, July 13: SustainAbility concludes ‘Rate the Raters’ project
RI’s regular round up of responsible investing news
Clean Investor, July 12: Macquarie’s forest offset project gets backing
RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean 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
IFC study seeks to boost “lagging” demand for sustainable emerging markets indices
World Bank body outlines recommendations to attract investors
SRI fund sales bounce back while green funds remain on a roll
RI’s regular look at European retail fund sales figures.
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 conf: IIGCC’s Sørensen says investors don’t use CDP data, proposes ‘ownership’ shift
CDP rejects claims its data is ignored.
Swedish AP funds critical of EU corporate governance proposals
Influential asset owners in broadside against Green Paper