Global Compact and PRI launch corporate ESG briefings for signatories

The United Nations Global Compact and the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) have launched a corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) briefing series.
The first company to present was business software giant SAP AG. The briefing was held yesterday and the call was attended by around 37 PRI signatories and their affiliates, including asset owners, investment managers and investment banks.
It was part of a new project to improve communications between companies and investors on ESG issues.
The briefing was conducted by SAP’s Chief Sustainability Officer Peter Graf and Investor Relations Director Stephan Foerster.
They presented on their ESG performance using a framework developed with a group of Global Compact companies and PRI investors. They told investors, for example, that SAP aims to have 25% female management by 2017 – against 19% currently.“Much of the dialogue between companies and investors on ESG issues tends to remain outside of mainstream discussions on business strategy and is often not integrated into the scope of companies’ investor relations departments,” the PRI and Global Compact said.
“This initiative aims to develop and test a platform for companies to provide ESG information to investors that can be included in traditional financial analysis.”
Attendees will be able to provide feedback to the companies and a final publication will focus on the content and process of the calls.

There are plans to pilot a series of 10 to 15 briefings in the second half of 2012 and first half of 2013.
Four other companies – Enel (October 24), AkzoNobel (November 19), NovoNordisk and Eni (to be decided) – have already confirmed their participation and there is strong interest from numerous others. Link