Eurosif Update
November/December 2007
Eurosif’s annual Advisory Council Meeting was held in Paris on November 14th, 2007
With 45 of our 60 member affiliate institutions represented, the day’s event was full of interesting debates, discussions and networking opportunities. To capture the experience, we have created a two-page document highlighting some of the key points made during the meeting available for public viewing: Download summary of day’s highlights
For Eurosif Member Affiliates, the presentations from the meeting can now be found on the Member Affiliates-only page of our web site.
OECD Watch 3rd & 4th Fact sheets released
As a continuation of the partnership with OECD Watch for the EU-funded project “Promoting Convergence of CSR Practices and Tools among European Socially Responsible Investors” the third and fourth fact sheets are now available. Fact sheet 3 describes how to best use the human rights provisions in the OECD Guidelines, and Fact sheet 4 examines how to use the supply chain provision of the OECD Guidelines.
Eurosif supports the release of “Handbook on Responsible Investment across Asset Classes”
Funded by the F.B. Heron Foundation, and in collaboration with the Social Investment Forum and Eurosif, the Boston College Institute for Responsible Investment recently released a “Handbook on Responsible Investment across Asset Classes” with the aim to help investors: incorporate responsible investment methods into their investment mandate; identify and evaluate opportunities for responsible investment; and coordinate the vocabulary and metrics used to measure social and environmental outcomes. Each chapter of the Handbook focuses on a single asset class – cash equivalents, public equities, fixed-income, real estate, private equity, hedge funds, and commodities – identifying three key issues and challenges for responsible investment.
http://www.bcccc.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=1844
Eurosif chairs discussion with investors on Code for Responsible Nanotechnology
On November 26th, 2007 Eurosif and UKSIF invited their members to participate in a conference call consultation on a new Code for Responsible Nanotechnology aimed principally at businesses and research organisations. The development of the Code has been supported by the UK’s Royal Society, the Nanotechnology Industries Association, Eurosif and UKSIF’s member Insight Investment, and the UK government-sponsored Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network. The participants discussed how to best establish a consensus on what constitutes good practice and, in the absence of comprehensive legislation in the area at present, to provide interim guidance on what organisations and businesses can do to demonstrate they are managing nanotechnologies responsibly.
For more information please contact Marion de Marcillac, or visit the Code’s website.
Eurosif speeches & events attended
Eurosif discusses future of SRI in Europe with UK Minister Stephen Timms and MEP Richard Howitt
Eurosif met with government and corporate leaders at the European Parliament for an informal discussion around CSR and SRI issues. Results of the meeting will include follow up with various ministries within the EC.
Eurosif spoke on “Private Equity & Sustainability” at TBLI Europe Conference
In a packed room on November 16th, 2007, Eurosif addressed questions on private equity including: Can the goals of sustainability be combined with attractive financial returns? What type of investments can meet both criteria? What are the obstacles and growth opportunities for this sector?
The Clear Profit 2007 Conference
Eurosif presented the scope and size of responsible venture capital in Europe on November 1st in London at this unique annual gathering tackling key emerging issues faced by responsible investors and investees.
Eurosif answered “With Mainstream Banks in the Game, What is the Role for Socially Responsible Investing?” at the 2007 BSR Conference
Socially responsible investors have long been at the vanguard of the intersection of investing and sustainability. But now that mainstream finance has gotten involved, have they edged the traditional SRI players out of the game? Is the influence of SRI waning, or will new models of engagement remake the community? The conference took place on October 24th, 2007 in San Francisco.
Eurosif takes part in SRI panel at IR Magazine Conference and Awards 2007
Along with Eurosif member affiliates Fortis Investments and BNP Paribas Asset Management, Eurosif addressed leading members of the European investor relations community at this one day conference in Paris on October 11th, 2007. Matt Christensen discussed how companies respond to economic sustainability combined with environmental, ethical and social issues: What questions are socially responsible investors asking companies? How are companies responding? How can IROs better communicate their companies’ CSR and sustainability strategies?
Upcoming Eurosif speeches & events
Greenpeace Investor Workshop
31 January – 1 February, 2008
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Eurosif has been asked to attend this 2 day invitation-only gathering with senior Greenpeace Europe directors to discuss their initiatives and help them better understand the responsible investor perspective.
Norwegian SIF creation discussion
17 January, 2008 (tentative)
Oslo, Norway
Eurosif will take part in discussions on how best to create a Social Investment Forum to represent investors and SRI practitioners in Norway.
