Press release

Eurosif Newsletter March 2011

04 March 2011

Eurosif Newsletter March 2011

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In this issue: Eurosif Submits Responses to EC Consultations Eurosif Infrastructure Report Published Emerging Markets Report Video Online

Eurosif Update

Eurosif Submits Responses to EC Consultations

In 2011, Eurosif has already submitted its Responses to 3 public consultations launched by the European Commission.
  • On February 28, Eurosif submitted its response to the Single Market Act Consultation. In its Response, Eurosif makes a series of recommendations on corporate governance, pensions, retail  investment, SME access to finance and energy efficiency. Read the SMA Reponse.
  • Following a discussion held with the Commission in January 2011 regarding Eurosif’s views on the way forward on Packaged Retail Financial Products (PRIPs), Eurosif's February 18th Response focuses on the integration of ESG factors in certain aspects of the PRIPs. Read the PRIP Response.
  • On January 28, Eurosif reinforced its position on large listed and non-listed companies' non-financial reporting, as well as the adoption of ESG reporting recommendation guidelines for small and medium enterprises in its Non-Financial Reporting Response.
For more information on Eurosif's lobbying activities, please contact lobbying@eurosif.org.

 

Eurosif Infrastructure Report Published

Eurosif's Infrastructure Report was officially published on February 15.  The report discusses the ESG major issues affecting the infrastructure sector including a growing population, under financing, security and climate change.  Demand for infrastructure and public utilities is increasing, putting pressure on governments, infrastructure assets and resources. Dexia Asset Management provided the research for this report. A steering committee including representatives from CM-CIC Asset Management, CDC Climat and Threadneedle oversaw the project. Read the Infrastructure Report.

Emerging Markets Report Video Now Online

The main research highlights of Eurosif's latest Emerging Markets report are now available in an online video. The Emerging Markets Report, with research provided by Member Affiliate Inrate, provides an overview on sustainability trends in emerging market economies and discusses environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities in these regions. View video on Eurosif's You Tube channel.

2011 Sector/Theme Report Programme Announced

Eurosif recently announced this year's sector and theme report topics:
  • Energy Efficiency, research by oekom research, April 2011
  • Aerospace & Defense, research by Sustainalytics, June 2011
  • Media, research Ethix SRI Advisors, September 2011
  • Procurement, research by Bank Sarasin, December 2011
There are still a few spaces left on steering committees.  Interested Member Affiliates are invited to please contact research@eurosif.org.
*****Eurosif participates in Climate Change & Sustainable Investment Roundtable hosted by FT February 1, 2011, London, UKEurosif speaks at Empowering People – Empowering the Future hosted by Club of Florence February 11, 2011, Florence, Italy Eurosif participates in Rethinking Asset Management hosted by Centre for European Policy Studies March 2, 2011, Brussels, Belgium Eurosif attends 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 Financial Markets Reform Progress Report Now Available

EU Internal Markets and Services Commissioner, Michel Barnier, has published in February a Progress Report on the main priorities aimed at reforming the EU financial markets, in the context of the current global slowdown. The report highlights the measures presently under negotiation and the ones to be proposed in 2011-12, with a Green Paper on Corporate Governance to be issued in April 2011. Read the Progress report.

The EU Single Market - an EC Priority in 2011

One of the EU Priorities for 2011-2012 is to strengthen the EU Internal Market, with a major consultation recently closed and a set of additional measures to be taken in the coming months. Eurosif responded to the EC consultation on the Single Market Act, making a series of recommendations on issues related to investor and corporate transparency. In a recent conference on the Single Market Act, EC President José-Manuel Barroso and Commissioner Michel Barnier concluded that a fully functional Internal Market could bring a 4% EU GDP growth over the next few years. Read Eurosif's Response to Single Market Act Consultation.

 

The IORP Directive to be Reviewed in 2011

The European Commission is set to publish a draft of a revised IORP Directive by the end of this year, according to Michel Barnier. The new draft will focus on transparency to make better use of the directive's benefits, Barnier said during a meeting of the Dutch Pension Federation in Brussels. He added that the Commission had received more than 1,600 comments on the 2010 Green Paper on the EU Pensions System, which are still being analysed. Read Eurosif’s response to the Green Paper.

Member Affiliates News

Bank Sarasin Awarded Sustainability Prizes in London

Bank Sarasin & Co. Ltd has been awarded two prizes at the Sustainable City Awards in London.  The Farsight Award recognized a sustainability study, "The world in dilemma between prosperity and resource protection – Sustainability rating of sovereign bonds 2010", published in March 2010. The judges described the study as “very interesting but also extremely ambitious

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