September 2006

FIR (Forum pour l’Investissement Responsable) – France

2006 FIR ‘Finance and Sustainability’ European Research Award – 2nd edition

In order to support and give value to SRI research in France and in Europe, the French Social Investment Forum (FIR) has decided that each year it would reward research projects that contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of ‘Finance and Sustainability (three awards and two research grants). Submissions should be sent before October 1st, 2006 to award@frenchsif.org. More info at www.frenchsif.org

FIR responds to the public consultation on Carbon Quotas Allocation

On July 2006, the French SIF responded to the Public consultation about “the Plan d’allocation de quotas de carbone (PNAQ2)”. This public plan will permanently fix carbon allocations for the period of 2008 – 2012, in accordance with the Kyoto protocol. To read FIR’s response: www.frenchsif.org/fr/actions/positions/

UKSIF (UK Social Investment Forum) - United Kingdom

UKSIF partners with UNEP FI to research Pension Fund Best Practice in Responsible Investment

The UKSIF Sustainable Pensions Project is working with the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Asset Management Working Group to research Best Practice in Responsible Investment by leading funds globally. It will be published later this year. Contact anne.desgagniers@uksif.org for more info.

UKSIF responds to the Pensions White Paper and Pensions Regulator’s Discussion Paper

In response to the Consultation on the Pensions White Paper, UKSIF welcomed the statement that SRI options will be included for Personal Accounts and highlighted the need for additional measures. UKSIF also responded to the Pension Regulator’s Discussion Paper on the form and content of pension schemes reports and accounts, on the importance of addressing SEE issues in the pension fund governance statement. Both responses used the recommendations made to Stephen Timms earlier this year. For more info, contact penny.shepherd@uksif.org.

ASIA – ASRIA

ASRIA publishes Carbon Disclosure Project Report 2006 — Asia ex-Japan

ASRIA's CDP work aims to begin the process of filling the information gap regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by mapping the profile of carbon disclosure in the Asia Pacific Region. This report examines the disclosures from 125 Asian companies covering nine countries: China including Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. As a result, this year marks the first time that Asian investors have a representative sample of responses to evaluate on climate change fundamentals. www.asria.org/publications

Canada - Social Investment Organisation (SIO)

Canadian Social Investment Organization Recommends Mandating Global Reporting Initiative

In a submission to the National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility, SIOadvocates for amending the Canada Business Corporations Act to mandate annual GRIreporting. Full story at: http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2114.html

US - SIF (Social Investment Forum)

New CEO for the US - SIF

Lisa Woll was named the first CEO of the Social Investment Forum. Hiring Ms. Woll is part of the forum’s “long-term plan to foster even more attention by institutional and other investors on the concept, practice and growth of socially responsible investing,” according to a statement from SIF. www.socialinvest.org

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