Eurosif News Brief December 2010

Eurosif's Emerging Markets thematic report was published on Tuesday, December 7.  The report discusses ESG integration and reporting by companies operating in emerging markets, and the increasingly significant role that these economies play, due to their rapid economic growth and their large populations. Inrate provided the research for this report and  hosted a launch event in Zurich where Eurosif moderated a panel discussion on ESG in emerging markets.  A steering committee comprised of representatives from Bank Sarasin, ECPI, Pictet Asset Management and Robeco helped guide the report. Read the Emerging Markets Report.

On December 3, Novethic launched its report "European Asset Owners: ESG Perceptionsand Integration Practices" at their annual event.   This report was produced in partnership with Eurosif and created with the support of BNP Paribas Investment Partners. The aim of the survey was to determine how asset owners align ESG practices with their fiduciary responsibility and how these practices improve long-term performance.  According to the survey, 69% of investors state that they integrate ESG issues into their asset management, but incentives and practices still vary widely between countries. Read press release.  Read Novethic's ESG Study.

Eurosif, with the research help of Dexia Asset Management, is currently compiling its sector report on Infrastructure.  The report will explore various business risks and opportunities within the infrastructure sectors in terms of ESG practices.  CDC Climat, CM CIC, Etica Sgr, Foretica and Threadneedle sit on the steering committee for this project.  For more information about this report or to get involved in future reports, please contact anne@eurosif.org.

You can now keep up with Eurosif on Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogger and Facebook!  Stay updated on our latest news, events and projects though these social media channels. Follow us  Join us  Our blog  Become a fan

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The December edition of Eurosif's EU Insider is available for Member Affiliates. only.  This highlights Eurosif's policy work in 2010 and  provides insight into current EU open consultations and intiatives.  View EU Insider.

On November 29 and 30, Eurosif attended the CSR Multistakeholder Forum hosted by the European Commission.  The meeting gathered EC representatives, the private sector, investor and company associations, NGOs, trade unions and academia to discuss the future of EU CSR Policy, to be framed in the upcoming 2011 EC Communication on CSR. Matt Christensen spoke on a panel outlining the next steps for CSR policy in the EU.  View Meeting Website. Read about Eurosif's policy intiatives.

 

EC Consultation on Non-Financial Disclosure

  The European Commission has launched an open public consultation on the disclosure of non-financial information by companies.  The deadline for submissions is January 28.  Eurosif will submit a Reponse to this consultation; a draft will be sent to Member Affiliates prior to submission. Please contact lobbying@eurosif.org for more information. Back to top

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On December 15, Bertrand Fournier, Chairman of the Board of LFP Sarasin AM, was elected President of the FIR, after Robin Edme’s resignation from the Executive Committee.  During the same Board meeting, Paul de Marcellus, Global product Specialist for SRI at HSBC Global Asset Management, was elected Vice-President. Bertrand Fournier is also responsible for SRI development for UFG-LFP Group. UFG Group acquired 60% of the share capital of Sarasin France (a subsidiary of Banque Sarasin, Basel) in March 2009. At the end of 2009, UFG group also acquired La Française des Placements (LFP), merging all its asset management activities into LFP from the beginning of 2010. For more information, please contact gregoire.couste@frenchsif.org.

On December 16, Spainsif hosts the first working breakfast where a debate will take place about the different SRI research projects in Europe and in Spain, comparing the different tendencies and the common points of development. Jon Aldecoa of Novaster will introduce the debate. Another important Spainsif activity, on December 20, will be the meeting between the Ex Com and the representative members of the Spanish Administration, in order to discuss the future changes in the Pension Funds regulation, in the context of the legal project of Sustainable Economy.  www.spainsif.es.

Please mark your calendars for National Ethical Investment Week 2011, which will take place from 16-22 October 2011. UKSIF is looking forward to working with all of you to ensure that NEIW11 is even bigger and better. For more information, contact lisa.wootton@uksif.org.

VBDO Publishes Report on Philanthropy Transparency

 

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Investor Filing at BP on Risk Assessment of Major Operations

CERES, FairPensions, and investors Christian Brothers Investment Services, Calvert, Everence, Ethos Foundation (Switzerland), Ilmarinen (Finland), Catholic Health Partners, and others intend to file a shareholder resolution at BP in early 2011. In light of the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster in which 11 workers died, the resolution will ask for a review and evaluation of BP’s risk assessment and risk management plans for each of the company’s major operations in North America and steps being taken to ensure adequate board oversight. To view the resolution and supporting statement, visit http://www.cbisonline.com/page.asp?id=1077 . To register interest in co-filing, please contact Julie Tanner at Christian Brothers, jtanner@cbisonline.com, or louise.rouse@fairpensions.org.uk before January 7, 2011.

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C5 SME Finance Summit January 26-27, 2010, London, UK e.koffi@c5-online.com Empowering the People - Empowering the Future Seminar February 11-12, 2011, Florence, Italy info@cof.cg AFLI SRI Conference 2011 February 17, 2011, Luxembourg events@alfi.lu Investing in a Sustainable Future, hosted by FT March 9, 2011, New York, USA Conference website Sustainable Business Summit, hosted by the Economist March 17, 2011, London, UK Conference website Malta in a New Fund Landscape March 29-20, 2011 Event website European Sustainable Investment Strategy Meeting April 12-13, 2011, Amsterdam, Netherlands Conference contact South East Europe Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Sources Congress April 13-15, 2011, Sofia, Bulgaria Congress website

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