The Norwegian Ministry of Finance has completed the disposal of 17 companies that produce tobacco from the Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG). The divestment was based on a recommendation from the Fund’s Council on Ethics. “When the Graver Committee proposed the current ethical guidelines, there was debate on whether to exclude tobacco producers from the […]
Read MoreEnvironmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors can have a positive impact on portfolio returns, according to a growing body of academic research. In a new report, “Shedding Light on Responsible Investment: Approaches, Returns and Impacts”, investment consultants Mercer summarise and comment on sixteen academic studies, the majority of which (ten) show a positive relationship between […]
Read MoreAfter setting a new high-water mark in 2009 in terms of US shareholder proposals (more than five dozen) and support (one majority vote and three others exceeding 40% of the votes cast), proponents of climate change resolutions are gearing up for an even bigger 2010 proxy season. Close to 100 proposals, spanning more than a […]
Read MoreA shareholder resolution tabled at BP’s AGM calling for more financial, environmental and social information on the implications of extracting oil sands has managed to achieve 6% of votes in favour. Taking abstentions or votes positively witheld, the company was only able to achieve 85% support for its approach to this controversial exploration scheme. Over 140 institutional investors, including several […]
Read MoreCSR Asia has announced the launch of a major new initiative to help improve Asian reporting standards. The Asian Sustainability Rating provides an in depth assessment of CSR related disclosure of 200 of the largest companies across ten countries in Asia. According to CSR Asia, this is the first Asian based analysis of the largest […]
Read MoreA coalition of international investors representing $2.1 trillion in assets is upping its scrutiny of ‘laggard’ listed companies with a view to improving their reporting of ESG issues. The 86 companies have been targetted for their failure to honour the reporting requirements of the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest voluntary corporate responsibility initiative. “Companies […]
Read MoreFebruary’s Guest Article is by Louise Rouse, FairPensions’ Director of Investor Engagement and looks at their recent initiative to engage with leading oil producers about their oil sands projects The 2010 AGM season could herald both a new era of public accountability for companies and their investors and a template for future shareholder activism. Having […]
Read MoreThe UK Government has asked the Financial Reporting Council to consider including a new principle in its code of conduct (UK Corporate Governance Code) to require companies to report on what they’re doing to increase the number of women in senior management positions. Under proposals announced by The Equalities Office, companies may be required to […]
Read MoreA private Member’s Bill was submitted to the Canadian Parliament this week by Robert Oliphant, MP, calling for amendments to the Pensions Benefits Standards Act, 1985, requiring public and private pension plans to disclose considerations given to environmental, social or governance factors during the selection, retention, or liquidation of investments under the plan’s responsibility. The […]
Read MoreInvestors engaging with North American companies on climate change financial risks achieved major breakthroughs in the 2009 proxy season according to a recent report by environmental think-tank, CERES. A record 68 climate-related shareholder resolutions were filed by investors this year. Of the 68 resolutions filed, a record 31 resulted in company agreements and withdrawal of […]
Read More