News
Sustainable investment, 23 September, 2019
Major asset owners pledge to decarbonise portfolios by 2050
Asset owners and managers signed up to the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance include Nordea, Zurich, Allianz and Folksam, with more than $2.4trn in investments.
Research, 19 September, 2019
Net effects of mandatory CSR reporting ‘difficult to assess’
Academics warn that introducing mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting rules could have “unintended consequences”.
Social media, 18 September, 2019
Facebook creates oversight board to judge complaints about content
The independent board will seek to provide a detached application of Facebook’s ethical standards to improve the governance of social media content.
Voting policies, 16 September, 2019
Board independence revealed as key issue for investors in 2020
Nearly two-thirds of investors say proxy adviser ISS should recommend voting against the election or re-election of a board chair if they are not “independent”, regardless of the overall independence of the board.
Policymaking, 13 September, 2019
PRI report reveals global shift to national sustainable finance policies
New laws and policy instruments show that investors, policymakers and companies are recognising the “imperative of responsible investing”, says CEO.
Legislation, 12 September, 2019
Campaigners call for German supply chain law to protect human rights
The German government is under pressure from groups including Oxfam and Friends of the Earth to introduce new legislation regarding global supply chains.
Company law, 11 September, 2019
UK directors’ duties ‘include ESG responsibilities’ says legal expert
Memorandum warns that directors’ legal obligations under the Companies Act 2006 include consideration of environmental, social and governance factors.
UK politics, 10 September, 2019
Governance on the political agenda as general election looms
The last Conservative manifesto put governance issues front and centre; Labour has since been working on a reform agenda. How will these concerns be reflected in a general election campaign?
Investor pressure, 6 September, 2019
US boards increase engagement with investors’ ESG concerns
The number of withdrawn proxy proposals relating to the environment has risen significantly, suggesting boards are taking investor views more seriously.
Regulation, 5 September, 2019
Indian regulators work on new rules to halt auditor exodus
Indian financial watchdog launches consultation on the correct procedure for auditor resignations after a series of high-profile exits.