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

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

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

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 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.

RI ESG Briefing, May 17: CalPERS seeks support at Nabors AGM

The round-up of environmental. social and governance news

RI ESG Briefing, May 16: Mutual funds falling short on climate change voting - Ceres

The round-up of environmental, social and governance news

SRI retail fund sales recover slightly, green funds flat - Lipper stats

Asset flows for February 2012

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

Dutch pension giant PGGM votes against Dimon as director

Luxembourg seeks leading role in responsible investment funds

Plan to make RI the “third pillar” of Grand Duchy’s funds industry

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

PRI continues to gain traction in Germany

Northern Trust plans to introduce passively managed ESG investments

Long-term goal is to integrate the UN PRI framework

RI People & Appointments, May 9: APG seeking Governance & Sustainability Specialist

ESG movers and shakers

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

Ongoing campaign gets backing from major institutions

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

Responsible Funds, May 4: New Sparinvest ethical emerging markets fund

The round-up of responsible funds news

MSCI and Barclays partner on global ESG bond indices

New index series aims to fill gap in the market

Nearly half of German investors plan to engage on ESG - survey

Union Investment survey also shows UN PRI gaining traction

RI ESG Briefing, May 3: Aviva loses non-binding remuneration vote

The round-up of environmental, social and governance news

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

The round-up of environmental, social and governance news

Danish listed clean energy investment fund founder and CEO exits

New team at Copenhagen-listed investor

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

The missing shareholder links in France’s AGM reforms

French SIF responds to the recent corporate governance consultation.

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

$650bn US asset management giant signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment

Venerable fund firm backs UN PRI

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

ESG movers and shakers

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

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

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

Faith investors respond to Walmart Mexico bribery reports

Statement from Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility

Tessa Tennant wins Joan Bavaria Award for Building Sustainability into the Capital Markets

Award presentation kicks off Ceres conference in Boston.

RI ESG Briefing, April 25: Ex-BP CEO Browne calls for extractives transparency

The round-up of environmental, social and governance news

RI ESG Briefing, April 24: New intergovernmental biodiversity body established

The round-up of ESG news

Korea sovereign fund backs new EIB Climate Awareness Bonds

Asian giant among new investors in climate bonds

New German corporate sustainability code gaining momentum

Energy giant RWE says it is considering signing up

RI People & Appointments, April 23: South Africa investment chief joins Global Compact board

ESG movers and shakers

Responsible Funds, April 20: responsAbility fund backs Central American co-ops

The round-up of responsible funds news

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

The round-up of ESG news

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

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

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

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

GRI believes its proposal could be adopted in Brazil.

Swiss pension fund backs new Rothschild quantitative responsible investment strategy

Rothschild teams up with sustainability firm Conser Invest

RI ESG Briefing, April 10: French state fund issues responsible investment charter

The daily round-up of ESG news

Proxy preview: Shareholder ESG proposals at major US companies

Investor environmental, social and governance proposals

Swiss private bank Sarasin excludes controversial weapons

Swiss move comes as UK investors reportedly impose “blanket ban”

RI People & Appointments, April 10: responsible investors on new SEC panel

ESG movers and shakers

Responsible Funds, April 5: SAM celebrates five years of Healthy Living and Climate funds

The round-up of responsible funds news

UK pension fund eyes agriculture, timber in long-term fiduciary mandate

Potential 10-year contract with supplier

RI ESG Briefing: Principles for Sustainable Insurance set for Rio+20 launch

The daily ESG news round-up

Scottish Widows building coalition to tackle methane emissions

Says US environmental watchdog keen to work with investors

RI ESG Briefing: As You Sow report on ESG at solar photovoltaic companies

The daily round-up of ESG news

German exchange teams up with CDP to offer carbon data on 1,800 global firms

Specific CDP data points on listed firms worldwide

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 seeks fund managers for non-domestic energy efficiency infrastructure

Focus is likely to be debt funding, says green investments team

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

Study to be carried out by KPMG.

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 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.

ERAFP takes major French step with shareholder voting and engagement policy

Move comes as AMF regulator consults on AGM process.

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.

Responsible Funds, March 16: €6bn UK local authority fund eyes food waste investment

RIs’ regular round-up of responsible funds 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 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

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

Final review to examine impact, costs and benefits.

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

RI Governance round-up, Mar 8: UK names Edinburgh as Green Investment Bank HQ

RI’s round up of corporate governance news.

Ruggie’s legal legacy: could human rights become the biggest investor ESG risk?

Ruggie’s UN framework could slowly become legally binding and more financially material.

Denmark’s ATP says new UK DC arm to have responsible investment at core

Interview with Chair and CEO at Now:Pensions

RI Briefing, March 7: Global CEOs commit to Women’s Empowerment Principles

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Private equity firms expect ESG pressure from investors to grow – PWC survey

Survey of 17 private equity firms

EU starts 3-month consultation before possible regulation to put more women on boards

Commissioner says current rates will take 40 years for gender parity.

Obituary: Daan Schoemaker, Senior Analyst, Sustainalytics

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

Responsible Funds, February 24: New manager at LGT sustainable global equity fund

The round-up of ESG funds news

Dutch pension giant backs massive $1bn Mexican wind farm project

Investor says project is in line with ESG criteria

RI Governance, February 23: South African state investor takes stand on exec pay

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement developments

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

European SRI funds slow down sales slide, green funds continue to lose assets: RI Lipper stats

Asset flows for December 2011.

UK county council pension fund awards €71.5m timberland mandate

Fund puts 2% of assets into timberland

Study looks at pay, headcount and gender balance at SRI firms

Survey from recruitment firm

Investor support grows for CDP-backed corporate ‘Carbon Action’ initiative

$10trn of assets now back call for energy cost cutting

RI People & Appointments, February 20: SNS names Active Ownership Specialist

ESG movers and shakers

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.

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.

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

The round-up of ESG movers and shakers

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

US investors target US oil and gas giants AGMs on ‘fracking’ risks

Resolutions part of broader campaign over sector financial risks.

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

US faith shareholders to pressure Amazon, Boeing and GE over potential tax danger

ICCR publishes its proxy resolutions for 2012.

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

MSCI: Environmental, Social and Governance Trends to Watch in 2012

Accounting for natural capital, conflicting water demands and the shifting debate on climate change

Social funds buck market as top performer hits 10.25% for 2011: RI publishes Cedrus top perf stats

Top 5 performing funds data across 11 sustainability themed asset segments.

Responsible Funds, February 3: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI’s regular look at responsible funds news

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

RI’s regular review of governance developments

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.

Aviva Investors’ SRI team seeks to stay together with new parent

Team leader Michaelis confirms intention

Aviva Investors cuts London SRI equity desk amid wider job cull

Formation of new Global Responsible Investment Team

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.

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”

Major US corporate lobby groups tells SEC to regulate proxy firms as investment advisers

US regulator to issue ruling in coming months.

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.

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

15 most blacklisted companies listed by large investors.

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.

Fixed income giant PIMCO backs ESG to increase long-term portfolio quality

$1.3trn fund firm explains rationale for signing up to UN PRI

RI People & Appointments, January 23: ex-UN PRI operating chief takes up mission investing post

Ri’s regular round-up of people news

Group warns Bank of England over “systemic risk” of high carbon investments

Investors and campaign groups write to BOE Governor

RI Governance & Engagement, Jan. 19: Tokyo exchange planning governance changes

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

Siemens faces investor call at Jan 24 AGM to quit US Chamber of Commerce over bribery issue

German company faces ‘reputation risk’ say investors as DoJ reviews Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Investors braced for key UK executive pay proposals next week as Fidelity enters debate

Long-awaited government pay proposals to be unveiled by Business Secretary Vince Cable

RI Briefing, January 18: UN PRI signatory managers sought by Danish pension funds

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

UK investors meet with government and warn that binding pay vote could backfire

Proposal to vote on ‘forward-looking’ pay policy floated.

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

Flight to safety in European SRI and green fund sales reflects continuing market crisis

Cash funds best sellers in both sectors as downturn persists.

Responsible Funds, January 13: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI’s regular look at responsible funds news

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

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement developments

British Columbia investment giant hires corporate engagement manager

Canadian investor hires engagement specialist from mutual fund firm

RI Briefing, January 11: SAM looks at obesity crisis & investment opportunities

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing developments