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

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.

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

The round-up of environmental. social and governance news

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

Dutch pension giant PGGM votes against Dimon as director

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

The daily round-up of ESG news

Swiss private bank Sarasin excludes controversial weapons

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

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

Response to European regulatory consultation

US faith investor votes at BP AGM (Corrected)

Corrects story

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

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

RI ESG Briefing: UK pension fund tenders proxy voting

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

ERAFP takes major French step with shareholder voting and engagement policy

Move comes as AMF regulator consults on AGM process.

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

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

NAPF Conference Report: reconciling short-termism and stewardship

The tension between long-term aspirations and short-term pressures

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

RI’s round up of corporate governance news.

RI Governance, March 1:  Danish pension fund divests mining firm over pollution

RI’s regular review of governance news

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

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

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

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement developments

UK county council pension fund awards €71.5m timberland mandate

Fund puts 2% of assets into timberland

RI Governance, February 16: Co-operative AM presents case study of Murdoch engagement

RI’s regular round-up of governance news

California may force companies to disclose political contributions

Proposed legislation before California State Senate

Institutional Shareholder Services employee suspended in kickback probe

ISS says it is taking the matter “extremely seriously”

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

New York City funds in positive engagement over clawbacks at banks

Withdrawal of shareholder proposal follows “informative and productive” discussions

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

ICCR publishes its proxy resolutions for 2012.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 Governance & Engagement, Jan. 5: Funds take legal action over failed brokerage MF Global

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

SEC says proxy voting firms face US legal clampdown

Regulation advice follows suggestion of rules in the EU last month.

RI Governance & Engagement, Dec. 15: US pension funds take on drilling firm Nabors over pay

RI’s regular look at governance and engagement news

Asset owners seeking stewardship assurance from fund managers - watchdog

Stewardship becoming integral to investment mandates, says FRC

Investors should examine their exposure to companies linked to Western Sahara

Investors have responsibilities to ensure that they don’t sustain or aggravate conflict

RI Governance & Engagement, Dec. 8: Australian govt looks at role of AGMs

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

NAPF survey says 72% of UK’s biggest pension funds to use RI criteria in manager hires

Trade body says funds also becoming more ‘hands on’ with investee 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

Giant UK coal mining pension funds sign up to Stewardship Code

Latest asset owners to issue compliance statement

The risks of failing to act effectively on executive remuneration

It is worth considering the High Pay Commission’s proposals in detail.

RI Governance & Engagement, Nov. 24: New engagement on Canadian oil sands

The regular round-up of governance and engagement developments

California pension giant votes against entire BSkyB board

Investor pressure ahead of next week’s AGM

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

US SIF fears diminished ESG reporting

UK High Pay report recommendations look set to influence govt. action on investors

Shareholder/pay consultation ends this Friday as commission cites ‘deeply damaging’ excesses.

AEGON makes major new RI statement for €413bn group assets

Insurer to make third party managers RI compliant.

EU issues resumé of responses to corporate governance green paper

Document indicates thinking of industry respondents on the main reform questions.

RI Governance & Engagement, Nov. 17: US manager targets Cisco on freedom of expression

RI’s regular round-up of governance news.

TUC: manager voting survey indicates shareholders “not doing their job properly”

Challenge comes as UK government reiterates exec pay legislation threat.

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

Voting alert follows engagement and evidence before Parliament

RI Governance & Engagement, November 10: NBIM takes on Goldman over mortgage securities

RI’s regular review of governance news

UK MPs suggest Stewardship Code improvements in anniversary report

ABI, TUC and BlackRock all contribute to Stewardship thought papers.

BSkyB shareholders add to Murdoch pressure by declaring no vote for Chair re-election at Nov 29 AGM

UK parliamentary hearing takes place today.

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

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

RI Governance & Engagement, Oct. 27: Australia pilots Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

RI’s regular round-up of governance news

GMI’s CEO departs less than a year after merger

Executive Chairman steps in as interim CEO.

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

Alberta fund dumps millions in tobacco stocks ahead of proposed lawsuit

Decision on legal action expected shortly as fund sells off holdings.

RI Governance & Engagement, Oct. 20: OTPP votes against News Corp.’s James Murdoch

RI’s regular Thusday review of corporate governance and engagement news

Al Gore suggests ‘loyalty shares’ for long-term investors

L-shares a “useful mechanism for investors”

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

Hermes EOS the latest investor body to line up against News Corp.

Pressure intensifies on embattled media giant

New York City funds trigger Microsoft supply chain commitment

Software giant says it appreciates discussions with shareholders

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

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

ISS and Glass Lewis recommend director no votes.

UK voting advisor Manifest teams up with Australia’s SIRIS

Melbourne branch office for corporate governance firm

£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.

RI Governance & Engagement, Sept. 29: Ethos calls for removal of UBS chairman

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

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

California funds’ corporate director database starts accepting candidates

Milestone for CalPERS/CalSTRS’ Diverse Director DataSource

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

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

UK considers introducing binding shareholder votes on executive pay

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

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

UK Kay review on investor short-termism outlines public comment questions and promises “action”

Report to look along the chain of investment decision making.

$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.

Railpen votes against asset management remuneration

Investor signal on fund management pay

Sweden’s AP3 voted against exec pay deals at 75% of international companies

Number of against votes rises year-on-year

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

Influential EU corporate governance advisory forum disbanded ahead of Green Paper evaluation

Decision follows changes to EU rules on expert groups.

New Zealand Green Party continues attacks on ethical policy of NZ$19.2bn sovereign Super Fund

Fund accused of potential breach of government cluster bomb treaty commitment.

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 18: ABP hits snag in Countrywide legal action

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement 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 Governance & Engagement, August 11: Australian super funds release new governance guidelines

RI’s regular review of governance developments

Clean Investor, August 9: Trillium, Calvert muster shareholders for climate motion at US food group

RI’s regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

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

Voting on executive pay a “distraction” says giant investor

RI Governance & Engagement, August 4: MSCI’s governance segment earnings slip 7.7%

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

Ontario Teachers pension fund takes activist stance at McGraw-Hill

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

RI Governance & Engagement, July 28: Manifest survey finds FTSE 100 CEOs’ pay soars

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Swiss pension investor Ethos excludes commodities giant Glencore from its portfolios

Allegations include so-called ‘transfer pricing’ of tax receipts out of Africa.

RI Governance & Engagement, July 21: CalSTRS hails successful proxy season

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

UK funds advisor withdrew Murdoch succession AGM filing at News Corp. just before crisis hit

Fund manager withdrew proposal after dialogue with company.

Listed Dutch firms improving ESG disclosure says Eumedion

But more transparency still needed, says governance forum

Bob Monks: Say-on-Pay is a well publicized side-show with no impact

We’re playing the equivalent of regulatory ‘Whack-a-mole’.

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

UK’s £5bn church asset chief expects top News Corp. executives to be tried in court

Media giant “not a place where shareholders come first” says Church Commissioners’ Whittam Smith

£4bn London Pension Fund Authority goes Dutch for voting and engagement on £1bn in equities

Appointment follows major internal review.

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.

RI Governance & Engagement, June 30: ISS in proxy voting deal with Deutsche Börse’s Clearstream

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

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

Government confirms role of asset owners in major systemic review

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

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Canadian pension fund starts C$6.5bn class action against Sino-Forest, Ernst & Young

Investor takes on crisis-torn Toronto-listed Chinese forestry firm

UK institutional investment groups set up “mechanism for collective engagement”

Institutional Investor Committee sets up new high-powered Advisory Council

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

Responsible investors flagged governance concerns at Sino-Forest

Shareholders engaged with forestry firm before scandal

Singapore introduces guidance on shareholder engagement

Monetary Authority consultation calls for “constructive relationship” with companies

Asset owners who fail to engage may be “abrogating fiduciary duty”

High-level study looks at barriers to engagement

RI Governance & Engagement, June 9: NY Common tables sustainabililty proposal at Freeport

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Norway’s KLP excludes three new companies over tobacco and environmental damage

Influential responsible investor now blacklists 63 firms

Freeport McMoRan hits back at ISS over say-on-pay

Mining giant blasts “flawed” analysis

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

Active ownership specialist Cevian hires Myners for UK role

€3.5bn firm nabs ex-government minister

UK share voting advisor avoids wind-up order over tax debt

Proxy firm reaches voluntary arrangement with creditors for repayment.

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”

RI Interview: NYC pension funds, the country’s most active shareholder resolution filers

The funds are lodging fewer resolutions but driving deeper to get better value for money.

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

UK mainstream investor association, IIC, calls on bank fees challenge, but drops Stewardship role

Relaunched shareholders group issues guidance on underwriting but rows back from original investor engagement statement.

Japan nuclear crisis firm TEPCO removed from sustainability indices

Deleted over environmental management and health & safety failings

Norwegian government fund assesses 432 companies on water risk

Investor says just 50 firms report on supply chain water risks

RI Governance & Engagement, May 12: CalPERS’ annual director election proposal gets 69% support

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

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

Australian Future Fund divests from defence companies

Exclusions amid treaty ratification and increased ESG focus

RI Governance & Engagement, April 29: Robeco, Ethos, Coca Cola, RWE

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

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

Investor takes “pragmatic” view of companies’ operations

Dutch pension giants voted against BP safety chief

Influential asset owners refused to back Sir William Castell

RI Round-up: Key ESG shareholder proposals at US AGMs

A look at some of the most important environmental, social and governance (ESG) resolutions at forthcoming US shareholder meetings, in chronological order.

We will update it as the proxy season progresses.

Shareholders back independent chair at ratings agency Moody’s

“Landmark” shareholder vote at company meeting

Swedish AP funds call for Motorola to withdraw from West Bank

AP funds’ Ethical Council also in dialogue with France’s Veolia and Alstom