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UN PRI
$2trn investor coalition calls for mandatory corporate sustainability reporting
Group steps up call ahead of next month’s Rio+20 summit
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
RI People & Appointments, May 21: UN PRI seeks Head of Research & Public Policy
ESG movers and shakers
PRI makes top-level hire of NYC Pensions Director for US signatory push
Asset owner recruitment will be at heart of new Network Manager role.
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
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
New Zealand Superannuation fund plots major forestry move
Responsible investor talks with Harvard Management Co. over Kaingaroa estate
$650bn US asset management giant signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment
Venerable fund firm backs UN PRI
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
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
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 Briefing, March 14: Dutch bank signs up as UN PRI goes past 1,000 signatories
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Environment, February 28: New carbon indices launched for Australia, Europe and Japan
RI’s regular review of environmental investing news
RI Briefing, February 22: Global Investor Survey on Climate Change
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
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
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.
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 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
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
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
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
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
US fund manager offers free RI training to asset owners
RI Academy programme proposed to hundreds of pension funds and their trustees.
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
RI Briefing, January 18: UN PRI signatory managers sought by Danish pension funds
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
RI People & Appointments, January 16: US SIF names four new board members
RI’s regular round-up of people news
Threadneedle names new Head of Governance and Responsible Investment
€75bn funds firm hires from rival Aviva Investors
EXCLUSIVE: Goldman Sachs Asset Management makes responsible investing commitment
GSAM signs up to UN PRI and plots ESG integration process.
RI People & Appointments, Dec. 19: J.P. Morgan seeks Director of Environmental Performance
RI’s regular round-up of people news
RI Briefing, Dec. 14: $4bn set to go into impact investments - JP Morgan
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
New UK workplace pension giant to use ESG research from EIRIS
NEST also backs Stewardship Code and UKSIF
RI Briefing, December 7: Hedge fund giant signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
RI interview: Paul Abberley, CEO, Aviva Investors: PRI should take more public policy positions
Challenge for fund managers is to show full ESG commitment, says Aviva Chief.
Responsible Funds, November 25: the round-up of ESG funds news
RI fund launches, closes and asset data.
RI Briefing, November 23: Deutsche reviews asset management business
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
AEGON makes major new RI statement for €413bn group assets
Insurer to make third party managers RI compliant.
RI People & Appointments, Nov. 14: former SAM research head sets up new firm
RI’s regular round-up of people moves
RI Interview: Roland Lescure, CIO, $151.7bn CDP Québec fund: stepping up its RI policy
Engagement becomes a prime focus for the Canadian giant.
RI Briefing Nov. 2: Threadneedle announces controversial weapons investment policy
RI’s regular round of responsible investing news
Brazilian banking giant Itaú launches sustainability and governance ETFs
New exchange traded funds from giant banking group
RI People & Appointments, Oct. 31: UKSIF Leadership Programme appointments
RI’s regular round-up of people news
EU considers requiring all financial institutions to disclose responsible investment criteria
Sweeping “Responsible Business” proposals from European Commission
RI People & Apppointments, Oct. 24: International Integrated Reporting Committee names CEO
RI’s regular round-up of people news
$20trn investor group calls for financial incentives to invest in low carbon assets, ahead of Durban
Long-term policy and clear carbon reduction targets outlined in statement.
EU awards €225k to joint venture for ESG education project
ICGN, PRI and EFFAS join forces to build professional development programme.
European SRI giant Dexia AM reassures over mandates amid crisis
All mandates are “fully protected” in separate legal entity
European SRI giant Dexia Asset Management ‘up for sale’ amid crisis
Dexia AM a founding signatory of the UN PRI
UK’s Myners sees UN PRI having little “real world” impact
Directors, executives and fund managers don’t mention it, says influential former minister
RI Briefing, September 28: Quebec fund signs up to UN PRI
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news
France’s FRR RI head to leave the fund
Nada Villermain-Lécolier to work on new initiative at France’s CDC.
United Nations recruiting new CEO for $43.4bn pension fund
New top manager sought for New York-based pension giant
PIMCO signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment
$1.3trn asset management giant becomes the latest “mainstream” firm to back PRI
RI People & Appointments, Sept. 19: ICGN names three new board members
RI’s regular Monday round-up of people news
PRI hits $30 trillion assets mark despite fees and market turmoil
Initiative loses only 10% of members to mandatory fees.
RI Briefing, August 31: Denmark’s Codan launches CSR measurement project
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
RI People & Appointments, August 29: Canadian fund giant BCIMC seeks Shareholder Engagement Manager
RI’s regular round-up of people news
RI Briefing, August 24: €3.6bn UK fund criticised over tobacco holdings
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news
RI Briefing, August 17: Japan’s SRI market now worth €7.8bn - SIF-Japan
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news
RI People & Appointments, August 15: Generation’s Blood to advise new sustainability partnership
RI’s regular Monday round-up of people and appointments news
RI People & Appointments, August 8: Environment Agency fund hires Rathbone Greenbank’s Mansley
RI’s regular Monday round-up of people news
PGGM and CalPERS executives elected to UN PRI’s new Advisory Council
Signatories back PGGM’s Bos and CalPERS’ Mathur
RI Briefing, July 27: TIAA-CREF releases 2011 Socially Responsible Investing Annual Report
RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.
South Africa launches responsible investing code for institutional investors
New voluntary Code for Responsible Investing in South Africa (CRISA) unveiled
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
Dutch engaged share ownership guidance launched by Eumedion
New “stewardship” guidance from €1trn investor forum
Six asset owner reps vie for two seats on new PRI Advisory Council
Voting open to all 900+ PRI signatories
RI analysis: institutional investors, ESG and News Corp.
Time for institutions to step up engagement?
RI Briefing, July 6: Report calls for tax breaks for long-term investors
RI’s regular round up of responsible investing news
RI People & Appointments, July 4: UNPRI Chairman joins advisory board of clean tech finance firm
RI’s regular Monday review of people news
Italian insurance giant Generali signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment
Move comes amid broader SRI push from leading insurer
RI Briefing, June 22: CalPERS committee to hold ESG workshop
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
UN PRI shakes up signatories’ reporting to make survey responses mandatory
Greater focus on responsible investment outcomes amid transparency push
RI People & Appointments, June 13: South Africa’s King to chair integrated reporting committee
RI’s regular Monday review of people news
RI Briefing, June 8: EVCA includes ESG factors in new handbook
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
PRI Chair says 90% of signatories paying fee, warns of delisting for inaction
Predicted drop off in numbers hasn’t materialised.
KKR private equity titan Roberts says ESG is “good business and right thing to do”
Long-term value should outweigh short-term cost says KKR founder.
RI People & Appointments, June 6: APG names new ESG Head
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves.
RI Briefing, June 1: Germany’s DZ Bank launches sustainability ratings
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
Sweden’s AP2 and TIAA-CREF form agricultural real estate venture
Pension giants target grain production in the US, Australia and Brazil
RI Briefing, May 25: iShares launches sustainable ETFs on Dutch market
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
RI Briefing, May 18: French strategic investment fund signs up to UN PRI
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
Giant UK pension scheme backs new Legal & General carbon fund
New fund has input from FTSE and Trucost
RI People & Appointments, May 9: asset management executive joins proxy voting firm
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
RI COMMENT: Pension funds need to professionalise or governance reforms will be in vain
It’s time to put pension members’ interests first
RI Briefing, May 4: Vontobel and Hermes cooperate on voting and engagement
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
RI People & Appointments, May 2: New chairman at Dansif
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
RI Briefing, April 27: Putnam Investments signs up to UN PRI
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
RI Briefing, April 20: AFL-CIO unveils Executive PayWatch site
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news
€4.6bn Dutch development bank FMO signs up to UN PRI
The latest development bank to sign up
RI Briefing, April 13: Investors seek review of Anglo-American Alaska mine
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
UN Principles for Responsible Investment to look at fixed income ESG integration
New bonds “work stream” being formed
Rob Lake leaves APG to join UNPRI as strategy chief
APG looking at options for replacement.
UK’s new NEST confirms ethical fund and signs up to UN PRI
New fund seeks to be a “responsible and vigilant asset owner”
World Water Day: A drought in your portfolio?
Investors should understand the water exposure in their portfolios
Mercer ramps up responsible investment push with senior ESG hires
Investment consultant hires UN PRI’s Pollice and HESTA’s Fuller
UN Principles for Responsible Investment plans radical changes to board
Fund managers and service providers to get seats on new Advisory Council
RI Interview: Wolfgang Engshuber: the new Chair at the helm of the UNPRI
Munich Re chief to step down from his current corporate position in October to focus more time on PRI role
RI Briefing, March 16: Oekom Research’s report on Corporate Responsibility
RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.
F&C says boardroom turmoil cost it institutional mandates
“We did miss some business,” says CEO
RI People & Appointments, March 7: Dr. Aled Jones to head new Global Sustainability Institute
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
RI Briefing, March 2: Nomura Asset Management signs up to UN PRI
RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.
iShares launches ESG-themed ETFs on the London Stock Exchange
BlackRock arm responds to investor demand
RI Briefing, February 23: Trillium develops investment vehicle for “SRI 3.0”
RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.
Merseyside puts ESG at heart of €1.6bn passive fixed income and equity manager search
Fund wants managers to monitor ESG risk and engage with companies
Henderson plans €392m SRI funds merger
More leverage on social and environmental issues with investee companies
RI People & Appointments, February 14: AXA names Corporate Responsibility head
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
Co-operative Asset Management in ESG tie-up with KKR
Co-op hails “innovative partnership”
RI People & Appointments, February 7: SocGen names Head of Sustainable Development
RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.
UN Principles for Responsible Investment names new chairman
Munich Re’s Wolfgang Engshuber succeeds Donald MacDonald
Major Dutch pension funds, TIAA-CREF launch microfinance principles
40 investors sign up to new Principles for Investors in Inclusive Finance
F&C says Sherborne attack threatens its governance role
Asset manager faces up to activist investor
UN Global Compact expels more than 2,000 companies in enforcement drive
Global Compact gets tough on firms
Shareholders take stand on pay at Aberdeen Asset Management
Fund firm faces up to significant “no vote” on pay
Denmark’s Lærernes Pension awards ESG bond mandate to giant US manager
Teachers’ fund taps State Street Global Advisors
RI Briefing: January 19: Oil sands firms “poor” on pay and ESG risks
RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of resposible investing news
RI interview - James Gifford, UNPRI: fees, growth, public policy and global expansion
UNPRI executive director maps out its strategy in a crucial year.
PRI plans annual ESG progress disclosure by signatories
Minimum transparency akin to Global Compact Communication on Progress under consultation.
Giant US asset manager Principal joins UN PRI
“It is intrinsic to who we are as an asset manager”
OECD calls on Japan’s giant Government pension fund to integrate ESG
Report suggests world’s largest asset pool should sign up to UN PRI
Boston Common divests Cisco Systems over human rights
Investor also expresses concerns over proxy voting
French pension reserve fund executive director, Antoine de Salins, leaves to join Groupama
UN PRI board member to join Groupama Asset Management as CIO
UNPRI chief operating officer Tagger to leave
New York-based COO was second staff member after PRI launched.
Canada’s Northwest & Ethical divests from Vedanta
Ethical investor becomes the latest institution to exit mining firm
ATP’s influential investment chief Graven Larsen leaves fund
Deputy CIO Henrik Gade Jepsen takes over.
The Co-operative Asset Management to run mining union assets
UK’s NUM expands relationship with TCAM
UN PRI signatory Henderson in talks to buy rival Gartmore
Henderson looking to scoop up £20bn funds house
France’s biggest trades union, CFDT, signs UNPRI as asset owner for its €350m finance reserves
Union says ESG move for finance assets reflects its values
Sustainable funds house SAM names Baldinger as chief executive
Ex-CSAM executive brings focus on institutional clients
Fixed income giant PIMCO endorses UK Stewardship Code
New code gets backing of $1.2trn investor
Italy’s largest pension fund signs up to UN PRI as membership surges
€5.7bn Fondo Cometa backs PRI
UNPRI signatories to get revised assessment ‘scores’ after software glitch
Recall came after ‘inaccurate’ data from survey software.
Merseyside £4.7bn fund to favour hiring asset managers signed to UK Stewardship Code and UNPRI
UK fund says it will recall all lent stock for votes at contentious AGMs in new Statement of Investment Principles.
UK corporate governance leader Railpen signs up to UNPRI
€20bn railway fund the latest asset owner to sign up
UN PRI continues top level hiring as signatories flood in
Director level role advertised as membership nears 850
€11trn investor group make Cancun climate change plea
259 investors want policies to plug “climate investment gap”
UN PRI looking at standardised ESG reporting for institutional investors
Inspiration from integrated corporate reporting
Australia’s Future Fund ups engagement and ESG integration
€49.2bn sovereign fund develops ownership rights approach
Dutch pension fund PNO excludes Wal-Mart over labour standards
US retailer blacklisted by €3bn industry-wide scheme
AP2 demands performance metric on company share matching schemes, extends enviro assets
€22bn buffer fund moves into agriculture and timber alongside its existing green bonds allocation.
Capital International a signatory to UN Principles for Responsible Investment
Arm of reclusive US investment giant the latest “mainstream” signatory
NZ Superannuation Fund looking at ‘Positive Investment’
€8.8bn state fund also considering footprint of total portfolio
Sweden’s AP3 buffer fund knocks back 60% of exec comp packages in overseas holdings
Fund says many foreign companies unable to meet its pay criteria.
Act now or face trillions in climate asset losses, UNPRI-backed report tells long-term investors
Study puts annual environmental cost of top 3,000 companies at $2.15 trillion.
Carbon Disclosure Project names new chief executive
COO Simpson takes over as Dickinson becomes exec chair
UN PRI needs to “raise its game” says Robeco CEO Munsters
Netherlands working on a version of UK Stewardship Code.
PGGM’s investment chief van der Ende exits unexpectedly
Surprise exit from €99bn responsible investment leader
Universities Superannuation Scheme finance chief to retire
Change at top of leading responsible investor
ESG now integrated at $6.8trn of assets globally, UN PRI says
United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment progress report
EIRIS formally launches engagement service
EIRIS Engagement Service set for global roll-out
UN body calls on all institutional investors to disclose RI stance
UNCTAD examines RI practices at world’s largest pension funds
GES, Manifest form responsible investment partnership
“Holistic solution” as ESG consultant and proxy firm link up
Norway’s KLP reviewing ESG providers
€22bn Norwegian manager issues request for proposal
European pension funds increasingly including ESG in RFPs – survey
Aberdeen Asset Management polls 200 funds
Legal & General Investment Management signs up to UN PRI
The largest owner of UK equities is the latest “mainstream” signatory
South Africa issues draft responsible investing code for institutions
“Simple, yet powerful, voluntary principles” released for comment
UN Principles for Responsible Investment tops 800 signatories
Over 200 asset owners have now signed up
Norwegian government fund excludes Israel construction firm
Giant fund the latest to exit Africa Israel Investments
RI Briefing, August 19: LD Invest, Ceres/INCR, CalPERS, Istanbul SE
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment stories
Hermes sets up asset ownership services subsidiary
New company founded by BT Pension Scheme’s manager
PRI signatories come together to kick off Australia collaboration network
Australian PRI members to share research and lobby work on ESG issues.
United Nations pension fund commits to IFC frontier fund
$35bn UNJSPF makes first ever alternative assets investment
T. Rowe Price signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment
Giant “mainstream” US asset manager in ESG move
Investors, NGOs convene for natural capital workshop
UNEP FI convenes London meeting at F&C offices
Responsible investors at heart of new integrated reporting project
High level group to examine ESG and financial reporting integration
Rio Tinto, Unilever frustrated with mainstream investors on ESG
Greenpeace says NGOs will increasingly target investors on environmental issues.
CalSTRS mulls engagement on water, extractives and agriculture
Giant California teachers’ fund to ramp up governance
Asset owners: corporate reporting project needs you!
Project to feed into G20 summit seeks asset owner support
Canadian pension fund pours millions into Alberta tar sands firm
UN PRI signatory CPPIB backs Laricina
Deutsche Bank’s €5.5bn pension funds aim to raise ESG allocation
Banking giant wants to expand on current €100m ESG allocation
UK’s new NEST fund talking with global funds on responsible investment
New national scheme seeking input on integrating RI
Canada’s public pension funds and the tar sands dilemma
Funds between a rock and hard place on Alberta projects
Private equity ‘barbarians at the gate’ of ESG: conference report
Industry seeks to move on from stereotype to ESG credentials.
RI Briefing, June 9: Nordea, HESTA, NAPF, Network for Sustainable Financial Markets
RI’s regular round-up of the most important responsible investment news
EU critical of European funds’ low UNPRI membership
Less than a third of big European funds have signed up
Powerful Japanese trades union body prepares major ESG recommendation for its pension funds
Union confederation says ESG is a way of ‘regaining trust’ in investment.
UNPRI continues growth with engagement appointment
Organisation continues recruitment drive