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United States
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
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 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
40% back union pension fund’s proposal for independent chair at J.P. Morgan
Dutch pension giant PGGM votes against Dimon as director
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.
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.
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
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
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
CalPERS says investors must put ‘F’ for financial reform into ESG
Fund lays out five principles for its own market health agenda.
$650bn US asset management giant signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment
Venerable fund firm backs UN PRI
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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
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
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 People & Appointments, April 23: South Africa investment chief joins Global Compact board
ESG movers and shakers
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
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
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
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
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
RI People & Appointments, April 10: responsible investors on new SEC panel
ESG movers and shakers
Investors’ “fracking” proposal at ExxonMobil gets SEC go-ahead
Shareholder motions on “fracking” and sexual orientation
RI People & Appointments, April 2: Sustainalytics’ Germany MD joins life insurer
ESG movers and shakers
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
RI ESG Briefing: ISS fires employee for supplying confidential client data
The daily round-up of environmental, social and governance news
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
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
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
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, March 13: Norway fund buys into California water project
RI’s regular round-up of environmental investing news
RI Briefing, March 7: Global CEOs commit to Women’s Empowerment Principles
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing 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
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
SEC should back corporate political spending disclosure to investors – Commissioner
SEC Commissioner backs shareholders’ right to information
Responsible Funds, February 24: New manager at LGT sustainable global equity fund
The round-up of ESG funds news
RI Governance, February 23: South African state investor takes stand on exec pay
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement developments
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
Study looks at pay, headcount and gender balance at SRI firms
Survey from recruitment firm
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
Global investors push SEC on “unfinished business” of proxy access and credit ratings agencies
Letter calls for regulator to “complete” investor protection work.
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”
RI People & Appointments, Feb. 13: New investment chief at Australian Ethical
The round-up of ESG movers and shakers
Dell, Intel and Motorola under fire from NYC funds on supply chain labour rights
Adopt voluntary standards or face AGM votes, funds tell tech companies.
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 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
RI Governance, Feb. 2: MSCI’s governance earnings slip in fourth quarter
RI’s regular review of governance developments
RI Briefing, February 1: Man Group hopes others will follow its lead on UN PRI
RI’s regular review of responsible investing news
Ending Wall Street’s big sleep on sustainability
A recent closed meeting of investors looked at moving from words to action.
US investors push House of Representatives on forced labour law
House proposal would oblige companies to identify and report risks.
RI People & Appointments, January 30: New chairman at Finnish pension giant
RI’s regular round-up of responsible people moves
RI Governance, Jan. 26: New proxy consultant launches in UK
RI’s regular round-up of govenrance and engagement news
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.
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 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.
RI Briefing, January 18: UN PRI signatory managers sought by Danish pension funds
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Clean Investor, January 17: CDP chief named to Clean Development Mechanism panel
RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news
Conference report: US Pension funds report to INCR/UN summit on progress in climate investments
In the face of political foot-dragging, long-term investors say they are getting down to green business.
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
RI People & Appointments, January 9: New operations chief at APG
RI’s regular round-up of people news
RI Governance & Engagement, Jan. 5: Funds take legal action over failed brokerage MF Global
RI Briefing, January 4: €5bn charity sector fund signs up to Stewardship Code
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
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.
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
Stake institutional investors mull Climate Change Capital sale ‘deal’ reports
New-York listed Bunge reported to be close to CCC buy-out
SEC says proxy voting firms face US legal clampdown
Regulation advice follows suggestion of rules in the EU last month.
Responsible Funds, Dec. 16: the round-up of ESG funds news
RI’s regular look at responsible funds news
RI Governance & Engagement, Dec. 15: US pension funds take on drilling firm Nabors over pay
RI’s regular look at governance and engagement news
RI Briefing, Dec. 14: $4bn set to go into impact investments - JP Morgan
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
ESG USA: US investor groups issue fracking risk recommendations for oil & gas companies
List compiled after lengthy risk engagement with companies.
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 Governance & Engagement, Dec. 8: Australian govt looks at role of AGMs
RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement news
RI Briefing, December 7: Hedge fund giant signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Sweden’s AP2 responds to NGO’s “land grab” comments
Comments made in Parliament by non-governmental organisation
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
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
Clean Investor, November 29: NYSE and Bloomberg team up on clean energy indices
RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news
RI People & Appointments, November 28: JP Morgan’s environmental markets MD departs
RI’s regular round-up of people news
US industrial group freed to omit Walden political spending proposal
Dispute over mailing date
RI Governance & Engagement, Nov. 24: New engagement on Canadian oil sands
The regular round-up of governance and engagement developments
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. 21: top asset management exec joins BSkyB board
RI’s regular round-up of people news
Responsible Funds, November 18: the round-up of ESG funds news
RI fund launches, closes and asset data.
US sustainability investor Calvert axes UK asset manager from sub-advisory role over performance
F&C mandate replaced by multi-manager structure.
RI Briefing, Nov. 16: Pensions guru Ambactsheer: sustainable investing can buck headwinds capitalism
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
RI People & Appointments, Nov. 14: former SAM research head sets up new firm
RI’s regular round-up of people moves
US asset management firm comes out in support of Occupy Wall Street
Responsible investors backing protest movement
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
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
RI Governance & Engagement, Nov. 3: €10bn UK fund tenders proxy voting
RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement developments
UK fracking report finds “quite exceptional” earthquake results at controversial site
ESG risk growing in importance for investors.
Clean Investor, November 1: Climate Advocacy Fund targets ANZ on emissions
RI’s regular look at clean investment
RI People & Appointments, Oct. 31: UKSIF Leadership Programme appointments
RI’s regular round-up of people news
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
RI People & Apppointments, Oct. 24: International Integrated Reporting Committee names CEO
RI’s regular round-up of people news
Investor group calls for James Murdoch to leave Sotheby’s and GSK boards
Union-affiliated CtW widens scrutiny on News Corp. director
RI Governance & Engagement, Oct. 20: OTPP votes against News Corp.’s James Murdoch
RI’s regular Thusday review of corporate governance and engagement news
Responsible investors engaging with SEC on conflict minerals
Input on legislation required under Dodd-Frank
RI People & Appointments, October 17: TIAA-CREF seks MD, Global Social & Community Investing
RI’s regular Monday review of people news
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
BP meets with socially responsible investors on safety and risk, reviews board governance
Oil major reaching out to SRI investors at London and New York meetings
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
Pressure mounts on News Corp board as US proxy firms weigh in
ISS and Glass Lewis recommend director no votes.
RI People & Appointments, Oct. 10: Tributes to Australian RI pioneer Erik Mather
RI’s regular round-up of people moves in the responsible investment field.
£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
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 Briefing, September 28: Quebec fund signs up to UN PRI
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news
Giant US fund wins political donation disclosure commitments
NY fund gets assurances from three Fortune 500 firms
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
CalSTRS hails ‘four-out-of-five’ success of environmental shareholder resolution campaign
Fund dropped four resolutions after companies agreed to climate risk or sustainability reporting.
Ceres publishes guidance for sustainability proxy voting
Four principles on governance, social issues, sustainability and environmental performance
United Nations recruiting new CEO for $43.4bn pension fund
New top manager sought for New York-based pension giant
RI Governance & Engagement, Sept. 22: Malaysia seeks to boost corporate disclosure
RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement developments
Pension fund class action against US finance giant Hartford dismissed
Plaintiffs’ assumptions “faulty” says judge
ATP and others lose out in UBS mortgage-backed securities class action
Legal decision in credit-crisis related case
Major US companies reporting climate change strategies, says CDP
Findings of Carbon Disclosure Project’s S&P 500 report
PIMCO signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment
$1.3trn asset management giant becomes the latest “mainstream” firm to back PRI
Clean Investor, September 20: New Japan carbon efficient index launched
RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news
RI People & Appointments, Sept. 19: ICGN names three new board members
RI’s regular Monday round-up of people news
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
$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
Clean Investor, September 13: Danish pension funds back Africa green energy fund
RI’s regular Tuesday round-up of clean investment news
Pension funds progress in credit crisis-related mortgage suits against banks
Judges push through investor class actions after legal push back.
$18trn International Corporate Governance Network backs corporate political spending disclosure
Investor group supports academics’ petition to SEC
California power company issues second wind bond, green bond investor standard expected within days
Certificate will allow investors to check whether green bonds meet C02 reduction levels.
RI People & Appointments, August 29: Canadian fund giant BCIMC seeks Shareholder Engagement Manager
RI’s regular round-up of people news
Investor giant CalPERS wrestles with real-life challenge of ESG
Discussions ahead of a formal ESG implementation plan to be presented to the CalPERS board later this year.
Pension funds in class action over banks’ LIBOR price fixing
US institutional investors in potential multi-billion dollar case
RI Governance & Engagement, August 18: ABP hits snag in Countrywide legal action
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news
Ontario Teachers pension fund takes activist stance at McGraw-Hill
OTPP teams up with activist hedge fund JANA at S&P owner
RI Briefing, July 27: TIAA-CREF releases 2011 Socially Responsible Investing Annual Report
RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.
UK funds advisor withdrew Murdoch succession AGM filing at News Corp. just before crisis hit
Fund manager withdrew proposal after dialogue with company.
State Street Global Advisors’ ESG assets surge 39% to $119bn
CEO Hooley wants State Street to become an ESG leader
Bob Monks: Say-on-Pay is a well publicized side-show with no impact
We’re playing the equivalent of regulatory ‘Whack-a-mole’.
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?
US development finance body OPIC puts half a billion into renewables
Major climate change initiative from US government body