RI ESG Briefing, May 22: Pfizer, Potash removed from sustainability index

The round-up of environmental, social and governance news

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

The round-up of environmental. social and governance news

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

Ongoing campaign gets backing from major institutions

Big US pension funds take on Wal-Mart over Mexican bribery allegations

CalSTRS sues while New York funds rally fellow investors

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

The round-up of ESG news

RI ESG Briefing, April 18: Shell invites SRI investors to visit Nigeria operations

The round-up of ESG news

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

Focus shifts to advertising industry

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

The daily round-up of ESG news

Leading investment consultant calls for better ESG mandates

Owners need to show leadership, says respected industry figure

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.

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

Proliferation of shareholder resolutions since Citizens United

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

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

Major new study of financial ethics published by St Paul’s Cathedral institute

Cathedral at heart of ‘Occupy London’ protests releases timely survey

UK charity launches £20m bond as regulator clarifies ethical investment guidance

Innovative bond programme developed with Investing for Good

Responsible investors engaging with SEC on conflict minerals

Input on legislation required under Dodd-Frank

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

Engagement could be a turning point for marine engagement.

Next step beckons for children’s rights and business principles initiative

Three-month consultation period ends

UK banking giant RBS cuts links to cluster bomb clients

Chief executive sends email response to campaigners

UK launches £40m social impact bonds to support deprived families - aims for pension products

Trial based on bond for lowering prison reoffending rates in Peterborough.

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

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

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

Fund manager withdrew proposal after dialogue with company.

Myners calls for Murdoch to step down as BSkyB Chair

Former City Minister says ‘business judgement’ of Murdoch is questionable as phone hacking scandal rolls on.

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

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

Consultation floats idea of common EU label for social investment funds

Discussion paper ahead of European Commission proposal by year-end

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

RI analysis: institutional investors, ESG and News Corp.

Time for institutions to step up engagement?

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

“We want to use our influence as shareholders”

Investor group targets 27 global household name firms on human trafficking, slavery

Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility issues statement to Apple, Nestlé, DuPont etc.

Norges Bank reveals ratings of global companies’ children’s rights disclosures

Motorola, Intel, Disney, Xstrata etc. score well but 232 firms rate a zero

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

Influential responsible investor now blacklists 63 firms

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

Strong support for a shareholder proposal opposed by management

UK authorities launch consultation on boardroom diversity

FRC wants “workable alternative to quotas”

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

Investor takes “pragmatic” view of companies’ operations

Major Dutch pension funds, TIAA-CREF launch microfinance principles

40 investors sign up to new Principles for Investors in Inclusive Finance

UK’s NEST begins search for Sharia-compliant fund manager

New workplace DC fund gets Islamic option

Nominations sought for annual Joan Bavaria sustainability awards

Awards in honour of social investing pioneer

UK corporate governance leader Railpen signs up to UNPRI

€20bn railway fund the latest asset owner to sign up

Swedish AP funds name ESG analysis providers

€86.5bn buffer funds complete procurement

Controversial mining firm added to Dow Jones sustainability index

Swedish and Canadian pension funds had targeted Goldcorp over Guatemala operations

EU may legislate on corporate social and environmental data

New initiative alongside corporate governance green paper

Scottish Widows hires Craig Mackenzie as head of sustainability

Fund manager to beef up E&S engagement with corporates.

NZ Superannuation Fund looking at ‘Positive Investment’

€8.8bn state fund also considering footprint of total portfolio

How should investors respond to the BP Deepwater disaster?

Demand a full, long-term environmental clean-up, board accountability and management explanation, say Mark Tulay and Stephen Viederman

Drilling down on ESG risks in the mining sector

Investors need to be aware of the multiple sustainable initiatives and how they work.

NBIM, APG call for “concrete action” on child labour in cocoa industry

Cocoa industry meeting fails to meet expectations, say funds

UBS funds arm bans mines and cluster munitions companies

Alternatives and quant investments exempt from new policy.

Storebrand Bank names acting CEO, excludes 90 firms

Management change at Norwegian insurance and asset management group

Access to medicines: a vested interest for investors and companies

Further index launches planned for June and July.

Huge investor coalition demands bribery policy clarity from 21 major companies

Defence and construction sectors under particular focus.

Norwegian Global Fund hires specialist water manager

Water Asset Management picks up undisclosed sum for investment brief.