2011 marks the 10-year anniversary of Eurosif and an ambitious 2011 programme is already underway. Since its creation in 2001, Eurosif has become the leading pan-European platform for sustainable and responsible investment, particularly in relation to European policy initiatives. In light of its 10th birthday, Eurosif published an Update Letter, outlining the progress of both European SRI and Eurosif over the past 10 years, as well as Eurosif’s plans for 2011. View the letter on the Mission page or download the letter in PDF format.
Eurosif Lobbies EC on ESG Disclosure
On January 18, Eurosif was invited to participate in a pan-European meeting organised by CSR Europe, to discuss the current EC consultation on non-financial reporting by companies. The meeting brought together representatives from the European Commission (DG Internal Markets, DG Enterprise and DG Employment), multinational corporations, investor organisations and NGOs to discuss the questions in the consultation document and to suggest possible solutions before submission deadline on January 28, 2011. For more information about the meeting output, please send an email to lobbying@eurosif.org.
Eurosif Submits Joint Response to Securities Law EC Consultation, ESG Disclosure
On January 1, 2011, a joint Response was sent to the European Commission DG Internal Market and Services by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), Eumedion and Eurosif, as part of the public consultation process on the harmonisation of the Securities Law. Read the Response in the Policy Section.
New Video: High Net Worth Individuals & Sustainable Investment Study Now Online
A video on Eurosif’s HNWI study is now available on the website. Based on a survey of wealth managers and family offices, Eurosif estimates the 2010 European HNWI Sustainable Investment market to be approximately €729 billion, representing an average of about 11% of European HNWIs’ portfolios as of December 31, 2009. This is a growth rate of 35% over the two-year period since the data was previously collected. Following its research, Eurosif predicts that by 2013 the share will have increased to 15%, just below the €1.2 trillion mark. Download the HNWI video.
Infrastructure Sector Report Set for February Release
Eurosif’s Infrastructure Sector Report will be published in the beginning of February. This report discusses current trends in the infrastructure industry and how these relate to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Dexia Asset Management is providing research for this report, and the steering committee member organisations include CM-CIC Asset Management, CDC Climat and Threadneedle. For more information on sector/theme reports, please contact research@eurosif.org. Eurosif attends Business Social Compliance Initiative Members Assembly November 23, Brussels, Belgium Eurosif participates as Panel speaker at CSR Multi-stakeholder Forum 2010 Meeting November 29-30, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium Eurosif presents 2010 European SRI Study at Novethic Annual Event December 3, Paris, France *** Eurosif to participate in Climate Change & Sustainable Investment Roundtable hosted by FT February 1, 2011, London, UK Eurosif to speak at Empowering People – Empowering the Future hosted by Club of Florence February 11, 2011, Florence, Italy Eurosif to attend Transparency Counts hosted by EITI March 2-3, 2011, Paris, France Eurosif to participate on panel at Investing in a Sustainable Future hosted by FT March 9, 2011, New York, USA Eurosif to speak at Sustainable Investment Strategy Meeting April 12-13, 2011, Amsterdam, Netherlands Eurosif to present at South East Europe Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Sources Congress April 13-15, 2011, Sofia, Bulgaria Eurosif to speak at Sustainable Emerging Markets hosted by C5 and RI May 24-25, 2011, London, UK
EU Update
EU Forum on ESG: Meeting Output Now Available
On November 29 and 30, 2010, 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. The Meeting output was recently made available on the EC website.
EU Banker Bonuses Rule Effective January 1, 2011
The new EU legislation that was passed in July 2010 came into effect on January 1, 2011. Banks are required to limit cash bonus payouts, with most executives only getting 30 per cent straight away and the rest paid out later if the company performs well. As of January 2011, cash bonuses are capped at 30 per cent of the total bonus and 20 per cent for "particularly large" bonuses. The measure leaves it to individual governments to determine what "particularly large" means in their economies.
New EU Financial Markets Watchdog
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has officially come into being as of 1 January 2011 and has taken over all existing and ongoing tasks and responsibilities from the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS). Its role is to act as a hub and network of EU and national bodies safeguarding public values such as the stability of the financial system, the transparency of markets and financial products and the protection of depositors and investors. More information about EBA. Back to top
Member Affiliates News
Bank Sarasin Study on Food and Sustainability
Bank Sarasin recently published the study "Food and sustainability: Will the seed bear fruit?" highlighting three central sustainability themes that affect food producers: health and nutrition, sourcing more raw materials from sustainable agriculture and committing to fair working conditions. The sustainability ratings of the world’s biggest food producers put Danone, Unilever and Heinz in the lead, followed by Nestlé. Despite good results, most companies still have a lot of ground to cover on the path towards sustainability. One of the key challenges facing the industry is procuring more raw materials from sustainable sources. This is not simply a question of ensuring long-term supply and environmental responsibility. As consumer companies with many leading global brands, controversial themes which come under the media spotlight such as child labour or the destruction of the rain forest pose a serious threat to the brand’s image. www.sarasin.ch; gabriela.pace@sarasin.ch
EIRIS Report Reveals Extent of Corporate Failings on Biodiversity
Entitled ‘COP Out? Biodiversity loss and the risk to investors,' the report's goal is to help investors understand the systematic risks that biodiversity loss represents to investments. It focuses on around 1,800 FTSE-listed companies and finds that 58% of them operate in sectors whose business activities have a considerable biodiversity impact. However, only 6% of these 'high impact' companies are assessed by EIRIS as having a good policy on biodiversity. Carlota Garcia-Manas, Head of Research at EIRIS said: "Over the next few decades ecosystems will be altered faster and more extensively than ever before. This poses both significant risks for investors as well as investment opportunities around companies producing more eco-efficient goods, services and new technologies". "Investors should take steps to understand the systematic risks that biodiversity loss represents to their investments and use engagement channels to increase business participation in voluntary stewardship schemes to protect biodiversity, especially amongst companies based in medium-impact sectors" she continued. Read report.
