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NEWS STORY:
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY | INTEGRATED REPORTING
New Initiative Seeks to Mandate Integrated Reporting by Companies
Janet Ranganathan of the World Resources Institute speaks with SocialFunds.com about the International Integrated Reporting Committee's efforts to include sustainability issues in financial reports.
NEWS BRIEF:
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS | ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (esg) ISSUES
South Africa Proposes Code for Sustainable Investment by Institutional Investors
If adopted, South Africa will become only the second country to require attention to environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) by institutional investors.
NEWS STORY:
SHAREOWNER ACTIVISM | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Eurosif Recommends Improvements in Corporate Governance
Invited by the European Commission to offer remedies for weaknesses in corporate governance, Eurosif responds with recommendations to increase transparency and strengthen shareowner rights.
NEWS STORY:
SHAREOWNER ACTIVISM | CORPORATE POLITICAL SPENDING
Political Contributions by Target and Best Buy Lead to Shareowner Action
Companies' support for opponent of gay rights undermines their policies on diversity and threatens reputational risk in the form of consumer backlash.
NEWS BRIEF:
ECONOMIC CRISIS | FINANCIAL REFORM | TOO BIG TO FAIL
Failure of Financial Reform to Break Up Big Banks Leaves Economy at Risk
Former International Monetary Fund chief economist Simon Johnson claims that defeat of Brown-Kaufman amendment leaves financial system vulnerable.
NEWS BRIEF:
CORPORATE POLITICAL SPENDING | CLIMATE CHANGE | OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
Website Tracks Political Donations by Oil, Gas, and Coal Companies
Oil Change International unveils DirtyEnergyMoney.com to highlight correspondence between corporate political donations and Congressional voting patterns.
NEWS STORY:
CLIMATE CHANGE | CORPORATE REPORTING | TRANSPORT SECTOR
Transport Sector Lags in Addressing Climate Change
A report from the Carbon Disclosure Project finds that despite being a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, the transport sector lags in setting reduction targets and recognizing risks and opportunities.
NEWS STORY:
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESONSIBILITY | SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT | MIGRANT WORKERS
MacArthur Foundation Grant Helps Business for Social Responsibility Launch Second Stage of Migrant Workers Initiative
The Migration Linkages initiative, launched in 2008, will expand its focus on labor abuses of migrant workers in receiving countries such as Malaysia to include sending countries like Indonesia.
NEWS BRIEF:
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT | FIXED INCOME BONDS
New Fixed-Income Fund Will Help Finance Everglades Restoration
RSF Social Finance and Community Capital Management partner to develop fund that will provide funding for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
NEWS BRIEF:
SHAREOWNER ACTIVISM | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | REGULATORY ACTIONS
Dell Shareowners Vote Down AFL-CIO Resolutions on Executive Pay and Chairman
Despite SEC allegations of improper disclosure of payments, shareowners vote with management on governance resolutions.
NEWS BRIEF:
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Wachovia Wells Fargo Next Award Finalists Announced
Two community development financial institutions (CDFIs) will share awards totaling $8.25 million in program-related investments and unrestricted grants.
NEWS STORY:
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
New Program Seeks to Unlock $100 Million in Small Business Lending
A $10 million Bank of America grant program will provide loan loss reserves for Community Development Financial Institutions in order to access $100 million in small business lending.
NEWS BRIEF:
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY | INTEGRATED REPORTING
Global Reporting Initiative and Others Form International Integrated Reporting Committee
The goal of the new initiative is to bring about an integration of ESG and financial reporting, to meet the information needs of long-term investors.
NEWS BRIEF:
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE RESEARCH | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
The Corporate Library and GovernanceMetrics International Announce Merger
The combination of corporate governance research firms is the most recent of many mergers and acquisitions in the environmental, social, and governance research sector.
NEWS STORY:
SHAREOWNER ACTIVISM | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Will 2011 Be a Watershed Year for Corporate Governance?
SocialFunds.com talks with James McRitchie of Corpgov.net about corporate governance and the 2010 proxy season. Third of a three-part series.
NEWS BRIEF:
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | PROXY VOTING | MUTUAL FUNDS
Mutual Funds Continue to Support Management on Executive Compensation
A new report finds that although withholding votes from directors over compensation issues has increased, support by mutual funds for management proposals on compensation issues was 84% in 2008.
NEWS BRIEF:
SHAREOWNER ACTIVISM | PROXY ACCESS | REGULATIONS
SEC Seeks to Overhaul Proxy Infrastructure for the First Time in 30 Years
A concept release published by the Agency seeks public comment in order to increase the transparency and integrity of the proxy system.
NEWS STORY:
FIXED-INCOME INVESTING | COMMUNITY INVESTMENT | AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Bond Program Will Help Affordable Housing in New York City
Through its CRA Qualified Investment Fund, Community Capital Management will finance the acquisition and development of 5,600 affordable units.
NEWS STORY:
CORPORATE REPORTING | ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Large US Companies Continue to Lag in Reporting on Environmental Issues
IW Financial and Soyka & Company follow last year's The Road Not Yet Taken with a new study that finds many S&P1000 companies insufficiently transparent regarding environmental policies.
NEWS BRIEF:
SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT | LAWS AND REGULATIONS | UNITED KINGDOM
Landmark Sustainable Investment Law for UK-Based Pension Funds Is Ten Years Old
The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance (UKSIF) marks the anniversary of ground-breaking regulation with a review of a decade's worth of accomplishments.
NEWS STORY:
SHAREOWNER ACTIVISM | ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE ISSUES
Higher Shareowner Votes Are Encouraging, But Not Enough to Change the System
SocialFunds.com speaks with Laura Berry of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) about the impact of higher shareowner votes this proxy season. Second of a three-part series.
NEWS BRIEF:
SUSTAINABLE INDEXES
FTSE Launches FTSE CDP Carbon Strategy Index Series
Developed by FTSE’s Responsible Investment Unit and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the indexes will support investors who incorporate climate change into investment strategies.
NEWS BRIEF:
SHAREOWNER ACTIVISM | PROXY ACCESS | LEGISLATION
Proxy Access Survives Conference Committee
In response to widespread objections that a proposal to increase ownership thresholds would effectively "gut proxy access," House and Senate conferees retain provision that gives the SEC authority to set thresholds.
NEWS STORY:
SHAREOWNER ACTIVISM | CORPORATE POLITICAL SPENDING | LEGISLATION
Fate of Legislation to Curb Political Spending Is in Question
Intended to redress the consequences of the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United, the DISCLOSE Act faces opposition by corporate lobbyists, even as shareowner resolutions for disclosure of political spending gain record levels of support.
NEWS STORY:
FINANCIAL REFORM | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | LEGISLATION
Investors and Shareowners Applaud Senate Passage of Financial Reform Bill
Corporate governance provisions would improve accountability by management, while consumer protection provisions will help stabilize small businesses.
NEWS STORY:
ESG INVESTMENT RESEARCH | ACQUISITIONS
Thomson Reuters Acquires ASSET4, a Major Provider of ESG Investment Research
The merger is the latest of many in the sector in 2009, and positions Thomson Reuters to compete with major rival Bloomberg in providing ESG data to investors.
NEWS STORY:
RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT | INVESTMENT ADVISORS
Investment Advisors Explore Ways to Incorporate ESG Issues into Their Services
The Boston College Institute for Responsible Investment produces a paper that summarizes the concepts and goals explored in a meeting of investment consultants and asset managers.
NEWS STORY:
CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY: INVESTMENT RESEARCH
European Sustainability Research Association Develops Standards of Performance
The Association of Independent Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility Research releases a Voluntary Quality Standard to ensure that the work of investment research providers is transparent and has verifiable quality.
NEWS BRIEF:
SUSTAINABLE INVESTING: STOCK INDEXES
S&P Adds Carbon Index to Its Family of Environmental Indices
Index will rely on research provided by Trucost to determine large cap US constituents of the S&P 500 with the lowest carbon footprints.
NEWS BRIEF:
ACQUISITIONS: SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT RESEARCH
Riskmetrics to Acquire Innovest
RiskMetrics cites expansion of research on environmental, social, and strategic governance issues as major reason for purchase.
NEWS STORY:
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
CDFIs Offer Responsible Alternative to Predatory Lending
Community development financial institutions provide housing loans to underserved markets, yet maintain profitability and low net charge-offs. Part II of a three-part series on the credit crisis.
NEWS STORY:
SUSTAINABILITY INVESTMENT REPORT: HIGH NET WORTH INVESTORS
Eurosif Study Finds Increasing Investment in Sustainability by Wealthy Individuals
First-ever study addresses sustainable investment by high net worth individuals.
NEWS STORY:
SOCIAL INVESTMENT REPORT
ESG Criteria Creeping Slowly into Mainstream Investing
New report lays out the five hurdles ESG investing has to clear before it can be incorporated on a large scale.
NEWS STORY:
SCREENING; SUSTAINABILITY
Green Fast Food: Really Here or a Green Dream?
The fast food industry is seeing a growing demand for environmental sustainability. How can investors, consumers, and other stakeholders know which restaurants are truly embracing sustainable development and which are only greenwashing their practices?
NEWS STORY:
INSITUTIONAL INVESTOR MANAGEMENT STRAGETIES
Mainstream Fund Managers Vary Widely on Social Responsibility
Even as more fund managers accept the impact of environmental, social, and corporate governance issues on performance, the application of responsible investment practices is hit or miss with most mainstream firms.
NEWS STORY:
SOLAR ENERGY,PERSONAL FINANCE
Sunny Days for New Solar Index and ETF
Claymore Securities launches new ETF based on Melvin & Company's Global Solar Energy Index.
NEWS STORY:
SCREENING
B Corporations: Verified Sustainability
B Labs takes the guesswork out of which companies are actually working for the future.
NEWS STORY:
CLIMATE CHANGE: BANKING SECTOR
Three Major Banks Sign The Carbon Principles
With the help of environmental groups and power companies, Citi, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley outline carbon risk management for banks.
NEWS STORY:
SUSTAINABILITY
Yearbook Presents Sustainability Trends and Leaders
SAM and PricewaterhouseCoopers offer insights into the sustainability efforts of cutting-edge companies.
NEWS STORY:
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY: PERSONAL FINANCE
Growing Interest In Green Investing
New research shows that individual investors think the environment is hot, with solar energy an important investment opportunity.
NEWS STORY:
INDEXES
New Index Contains Companies that Support Stewardship
Index leader launches first index series based on the Dharmic religions.
NEWS STORY:
PERSONAL FINANCE; MUTUAL FUNDS
Social Investment Options on the Rise
A flurry of new socially responsible mutual funds and products makes it easier then ever to invest in a double bottom line.
NEWS STORY:
CLIMATE CHANGE: BANKING
Are Banks Getting Caught With Their Umbrellas Down?
A new report from the RiskMetrics Group ranks 40 of the world's largest banks responses to climate change risks and possibilities.
NEWS STORY:
"Living" Companies Perform Better
Corporations that care about people more than things are more sustainable and profitable, puts forth author and financial counselor Jay Bragdon.
NEWS STORY:
Ardour Global Index Offers Unique Alternative Energy Universe
Ardour Global Index adds new companies in quarterly rebalancing, including US manufacturer Beacon Power.
NEWS STORY:
Fiddling While The Planet Burns: Mainstream Investment Funds Blinkered To Climate Risk
Part one of a two-part article looks at the lack of climate risk calculations by UK fund managers. Part two will examine some new tools for assessing climate risks to investments.
NEWS STORY:
Surveyed Managers Emphasize Socially Responsible Issues
EIRIS’ newest survey asserts that both SRI and mainstreams investors view specific environmental, social, and governance factors as important when applied to certain sectors.
NEWS STORY:
Top Five Socially Responsible Investing News Stories of 2006
Green investing booms, microfinance pioneer wins Nobel Peace Prize, shareowner democracy increases, resolutions receive record votes, and UN launches Principles of Responsible Investment
NEWS STORY:
Microfinance Crosses Continental Divide with $100 Million Commitment from TIAA-CREF
TIAA-CREF inaugurated its Global Microfinance Investment Program by purchasing from ProCredit Holdings $43 million in private equity shares, a new strategy in microfinance.
NEWS STORY:
Survey Examines Nomenclature and Numbers Fueling SRI and Extra-Financial Research
The fourth annual survey from Thomson Extel and the UK Social Investment Forum looks beyond the numbers to assess the role of language in promoting uptake of SRI research.
NEWS STORY:
Trillium Takes the Reins from Winslow in Managing the Green Century Balanced Fund
The transition in portfolio managers has shifted the fund back to its roots as a core portfolio holding by reducing risk and diversifying holdings across the multi-cap space.
BOOK REVIEW:
Book Review--Responsible Investment
An impressive and wide-ranging list of contributing writers advance a balance between elucidating the strengths of socially responsible investing while also exposing its weaknesses.
NEWS STORY:
A Serendipitous Match: Davis Advisors Takes Over MMA Praxis Core Stock Fund
The portfolio holding of Wal-Mart exemplifies (oddly enough) how both Davis Advisors and MMA Praxis emphasize the importance of stewardship and shareowner empowerment.
NEWS STORY:
Two Sides of the Same Coin: Surveys Track Growth of Interest in SRI and CSR
Part one of this two-part article focuses on a survey by Mercer Investment Consulting on increasing interest from institutional investors in socially responsible investing.
BOOK REVIEW:
Book Review--The Challenge to Power: Money, Investing, and Democracy
John Harrington compiles voluminous evidence to diagnose what ails modern corporatocracy, and prescribes a comprehensive cure with socially responsible investing playing a key role.
NEWS STORY:
Fiduciary Duty Redefined to Allow (and Sometimes Require) Environmental, Social and Governance Considerations
A report commissioned by UNEP FI and prepared by Freshfields attorneys dispels the persistent myth that laws prevent fiduciaries from considering environmental, social, and governance issues.
NEWS STORY:
Institutional Investors Drive Research on Mainstreaming of SRI by Investment Managers
A new line of research at Mercer Investment Consulting rates proxy voting, shareholder engagement, and analysis of environmental, social, and governance issues by mainstream investment managers.
NEWS STORY:
CalSTRS Follows Calvert Blueprint to Capitalize on Money Manager Diversity
Both CalSTRS and Calvert see efforts to identify emerging money managers as smart business and socially responsible as well.
NEWS STORY:
Catching a Rising Knife: Sophia Collier Manages the Citizens Value Fund
Whereas former portfolio manager Shelly Meyers tried to catch falling knives, Ms. Collier shifted to a more conservative strategy that has generated much better returns.
NEWS STORY:
Vermont Issues Call to Investment Managers for Environmentally Sustainable Portfolio
Request for Information asks investment managers about their positive and negative screening practices as well as financial performance, particularly of environmentally sustainable portfolios.
NEWS STORY:
New SRI Managed Account Uses Options to Capitalize on Market Ups-and-Downs
The socially responsible investment team at Piper Jaffray screens the new Redwood Account, which applies the covered options strategy of Kelmoore Investment Company.
NEWS STORY:
Enhanced Analytics Initiative Picks Sell-Side Brokerage Houses with Best Intangibles Research
EAI awards seven firms and three runners-up for outstanding sell-side analysis of corporate social and environmental issues.
NEWS STORY:
World Economic Forum and AccountAbility Report on Mainstreaming Responsible Investment
The report, based on three roundtables convened by the report sponsors, is particularly illuminating in representing attitudes and perceptions toward social and environmental issues of roundtable participants from the mainstream investment community.
NEWS STORY:
Top Five Socially Responsible Investing News Stories of 2004
Shareowner engagement shifted from confrontational to collaborative, sustainability analysis fused with financial analysis, and fiduciary duty expanded to include social and environmental issues.
NEWS STORY:
European Socially Responsible Investment Firms Let the Sun Shine In
The European Social Investment Forum releases transparency guidelines covering seventeen socially responsible investment practitioners.
NEWS STORY:
Piper Jaffray Consulting Division Marries Best Asset Managers with Customized Social Screening
Socially responsible investment consultant can apply social screens to best asset managers, even if they do not usually practice SRI.
NEWS STORY:
The Rashomon Effect: Why Do Innovest and Oekom Rate Toyota's Environmental Performance So Differently?
A Japanese film may help investors understand the discrepancy between the environmental ratings of Toyota by Innovest and Oekom.
NEWS STORY:
UN Institutional Investor Summit Considers Opportunities of Addressing Climate Change
Institutional investors make the business case and investment case for assessing, reporting, and mitigating climate change in a summit at the UN (part two of a two-part article).
NEWS STORY:
The Needmor Fund Utilizes a Muscular Definition of Fiduciary Responsibility
Susan Stranahan, treasurer of the Needmor Fund, discusses socially responsible investing as a fiduciary duty and tier A money managers who have a social mission.
NEWS STORY:
Eurosif Releases Transparency Guidelines for European SRI Funds
Eurosif asks socially responsible investment firms to disclose their policies and procedures around SRI issues.
NEWS STORY:
Catholic Institutional Investors Launch an SRI Fund of Funds Hedge Fund
In order to fill a market niche, five Catholic healthcare organizations joined forces to launch an SRI fund of funds hedge fund that is available to other institutional investors.
NEWS STORY:
Individual Retirement Accounts Meet Socially Responsible Investing
IRAs that employ socially responsible investing strategies can help create a more secure financial, social, and environmental future.
NEWS STORY:
Fannie Mae Receives High S&P Corporate Governance Rating
Fannie Mae becomes the first U.S. company to release its corporate governance score (a 9 out of 10) from Standard & Poor's Governance Services.
NEWS STORY:
Top Five Social Investing News Stories of 2002
The major social investing news stories of the year include significant corporate governance reforms and the success of community investment.
BOOK REVIEW:
Book Review: Cause Marketing
A new look at an increasingly used marketing angle may provide lessons for social investors.
NEWS STORY:
SRI Index Fund Uses Overweighting and Underweighting to Fully Replicate S&P 500
Instead of screening companies in or out of the Total Social Impact Fund, this enhanced index fund concentrates its holdings in positive social and environmental performers.
NEWS STORY:
Seven New SRI Mutual Funds Launched by Seminal Canadian Investment Firm
Ethical Funds recently introduced seven new SRI mutual funds in response to investor requests and a poll that shows overwhelming support for shareowner action in Canada.
NEWS STORY:
UNEP Advises Financial Sector on Threats and Opportunities Related to Climate Change
A recent United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative report outlines the financial sector's risks and opportunities regarding climate change.
NEWS STORY:
Hong Kong Investment Firm Launches New Asian SRI Fund
The Kingsway SRI Asia Fund will apply both negative and positive screens to investments throughout the non-Japanese Asian markets.
NEWS STORY:
Innovative Community Investment Fund Attracts Institutional Investors
The CRA Qualified Investment Fund, originally established to help banks fulfill a federal mandate for community investment, now appeals to a broader range of institutional investors.
NEWS STORY:
Large Canadian Firm Launches Four SRI Mutual Funds
Phillips, Hager and North will unveil four Community Values Funds, which apply socially responsible investment strategies.
NEWS STORY:
Survey Reveals High Investor Interest in Socially Responsible Investing
A recent Harris Interactive poll commissioned by the Calvert Group shows investor interest in SRI, particularly in retirement plans.
NEWS STORY:
SEC Proposal Would Require Mutual Fund Companies to Disclose Proxy Voting
The Securities and Exchange Commission proposed rules requiring all mutual fund companies and investment advisers to disclose proxy voting guidelines and votes.
NEWS STORY:
Religious Mutual Funds Multiply in Numbers and Assets
Faith-based mutual funds represent a fledgling but fast-growing movement in the socially responsible investment field.
NEWS STORY:
Wells Fargo to Acquire Silicon Valley Investment Boutique with SRI Expertise
Wells Fargo recently inked an agreement to acquire Nelson Capital Management, an award-winning private money manager that specializes in socially responsible investing.
NEWS STORY:
Conference to Consider the Business Case for SRI
Institutional investors will discuss SRI at the Green Mountain SRI Summit, to be held in Stowe, Vermont in September.
NEWS STORY:
Investment Partnership Has SRI Mandate
The Global Environment Fund Group manages four funds and is a majority owner of a South Africa-based forestry company.
NEWS STORY:
Three States Act to Keep Money Managers Honest
New York, North Carolina, and California will require money management firms that handle public funds to follow guidelines that discourage conflicts of interest.
NEWS STORY:
Aquatic Cellulose Uses Robotic Technology to Harvest Trees Underwater
Canadian company offers an environment-friendly alternative to traditional forestry and a socially responsible alternative to other forms of underwater tree harvesting.
BOOK REVIEW:
Book Review: Cradle to Cradle
William McDonough and Michael Braungart propose a paradigm shift for how the world views product lifespans, moving from a "cradle-to-grave" mentality where products die in a landfill to a "cradle-to-cradle" mentality where they continue to feed production.
NEWS STORY:
Electronics and Appliances Sector Rated Highly for Environmental Performance
German research firm also finds, however, that there is much room for improvement in the sector's social performance.
NEWS STORY:
SEC Chair Calls Proxy Voting a Fiduciary Duty
In a February letter, the SEC Chair acknowledged that proxy voting is a fiduciary responsibility for all fund managers
NEWS STORY:
Online Communications Specialist Offers New Angle on Corporate Responsibility
UK-based consulting firm offers reports that look at how the Internet affects the relationship between companies and their stakeholders.
NEWS STORY:
Students Compel Williams College to Offer Social Investment Option for Donors
Alumni and other donors now can have their endowment contributions invested in a socially responsible manner.
NEWS STORY:
First Nasdaq-based Social Index Unveiled
KLD and Nasdaq create the KLD-Nasdaq Social Index, the first index to screen Nasdaq companies for social and environmental criteria.
NEWS STORY:
Private Equity Investment Puts Yale in Deep Water
Yale University's investment in a private water company highlights the difficulty institutional investors have in managing private equity investments that may have little or no transparency.
NEWS STORY:
Swedish Foundation Reports on Socially Responsible Asset Management and Research
MISTRA, a Swedish environmental research foundation, recently released a report that assesses asset managers and research firms as its first step toward adopting socially responsible investing principles.
NEWS STORY:
Idiosyncratic Firm Invests Old Money in A New Way
Through investments in documentary films, Lowell, Blake & Associates earn a healthy profit for their clients and shows non-profits how to operate within a business model.
NEWS STORY:
Domini Urges SEC to Require Proxy Voting Disclosure
In a letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, Domini Social Investments outlines the benefits of mutual fund managers disclosing their proxy voting practices to their investors.
NEWS STORY:
SIF Reports on Socially Responsible Investment Growth in the U.S.
In its biennial report, the Social Investment Forum documents modest gains in socially responsible investments.
NEWS STORY:
Socially Responsible Investing: An Academic Issue?
TIAA-CREF opposes enhanced social responsibility for its Social Change Account, despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of the account's investors favor such an initiative.
NEWS STORY:
Social Investors Press Unocal to Cut Ties to Burma
Social investors have become part of a sophisticated, multi-pronged campaign to keep the Burma issue in front Unocal senior management. (part two of a two-part article)
NEWS STORY:
Students Push University of Virginia Out of Unocal
Unocal is feeling pressure from activists because the company continues to do business with Burma's ruling military regime. (part one of a two-part article)
NEWS STORY:
Sustainability in the U.S. Sees Hurdles, Future Growth
Symposium discusses market hesitance and corporate attraction to embracing sustainability.
NEWS STORY:
Mirant Commits $50 Million to Climate Change Solutions
Energy company's plans include a more robust and transparent environmental policy.
NEWS STORY:
Ethanol Producer Looks to Growth in Fuel Additive Market
High Plains Corporation is expecting increasing demand for its products because of concern over MTBE's environmental impact.
NEWS STORY:
ExxonMobil's Troubled Relationship in Aceh
Questions are being raised about ExxonMobil, the world's largest integrated oil company, retaining the Indonesian army and police forces for security.
NEWS STORY:
Religious Leaders Address Staples Shareowners
Letter presented at annual meeting urges office product retailer to increase use of post-consumer recycled paper in its products.
NEWS STORY:
Global Index Takes New Name, New Components and New Family
The newly re-named Dow Jones Sustainability World Index undergoes an annual review to evaluate the sustainability performance of its component companies, and it becomes the member of a new index family.
NEWS STORY:
New Survey Indicates Potential Growth for Faith-based Investing
The survey, sponsored by MMA Praxis, found that over half of U.S. investors would be inclined to consider religious or other values in making investment decisions.
NEWS STORY:
Proxy Monitor Buys ISS
Move gives one firm significant power in influencing the proxy votes of institutional investors.
NEWS STORY:
Social Fund Assets in the U.S. May Top a Quarter of a Trillion Dollars in Ten Years
Study marking Pax World Funds' 30th anniversary also pegs current assets of U.S. socially responsible mutual funds at $103 billion.
NEWS STORY:
Turning Waste Streams into Products
The largest manufacturer of recycled plastic lumber in the U.S. is looking to position itself for a more profitable 2001.
NEWS STORY:
Green Room and Board
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts has created a valuable resource for hotels that want to lesson their environmental impact.
NEWS STORY:
Canadian Parliament Votes to Give Socially Responsible Shareowner Proposals Equal Billing
New law will limit corporate management’s ability to claim that a proposal “promotes a cause” and therefore should be rejected.
NEWS STORY:
All-SRI 401(k) Plan Debuts
Seventeen social mutual funds compose a new, diversified plan that can also be customized to client needs.
NEWS STORY:
Where Good Returns May Flow
California water investment partnership believes the water industry is a little-known spigot for solid returns.
NEWS STORY:
Morgan Stanley Dips Toe into Social Investing
Morgan Stanley introduces the Morgan Stanley KLD Social Index Fund, which will track KLD's Large Cap Social Index.
NEWS STORY:
FTSE4Good Index Series Announces Constituents
Microsoft, AOL Time Warner and Intel are the top three in both the US 100 and Global 100 indexes.
NEWS STORY:
Benchmarking Corporate Environmental and Social Reporting
Recent survey examines the environmental and social reporting practices of the 100 largest global firms.
NEWS STORY:
Americans Increasingly Interested in Corporate Citizenship
Survey indicates that Americans are looking for good corporate citizens, but are having difficulty finding them.
NEWS STORY:
Watchdog Challenges Southern Company To Clean the Air
The "Clean-Up Southern Company" campaign led by U.S. PIRG is educating consumers about Southern Company and air pollution.
NEWS STORY:
ARESE Launches New European Sustainability Index
ASPI Eurozone is the first of a family of indexes that will include companies based solely on their sustainability performance.
NEWS STORY:
Poor Practices Catching Up with Labor Ready
Worker complaints and lawsuits contribute to financial woes of national manual labor temp agency.
NEWS STORY:
Placer Dome's Efforts at Sustainability: Sincere or Greenwash?
Contentious issues surrounding its Porgera mine operations reveal the difficulty in assessing corporate social and environmental performance.
NEWS STORY:
Placer Dome Mine Strikes Resentment in Papua New Guinea
Inaction on improving the environmental performance of the Porgera mine is drawing criticism from within Papua New Guinea as well as Australia, Canada and the U.S.
NEWS STORY:
Companies Using NAFTA to Undermine Legitimate Regulations
New report explains how the U.S., Canadian and Mexican governments' ability to regulate in the public interest is being eroded by NAFTA's Chapter 11.
NEWS STORY:
Stock Ownership Increasingly Black and White
Survey finds stock ownership among African-Americans is increasing while ownership among Whites has stayed flat.
NEWS STORY:
EarthShell Serves Environment-Friendly Food Packaging
Container manufacturer beginning to see fruit of research and development with expanding in-market product tests.
NEWS STORY:
Telecommunications Industry Calls for Sustainability
Some of the world's largest information and communications technology companies form an alliance to promote sustainable development.
NEWS STORY:
Better Corporate Governance Pays Off for Large Companies in Emerging Markets
Recent study across global emerging markets finds large companies with good corporate governance yield better bottom lines.
BOOK REVIEW:
Book Review: The Rise of Fiduciary Capitalism
The fiduciaries of large institutional investors are finding it is in their interest, as shareowners, to urge corporate social responsibility.
NEWS STORY:
KLD and Russell/Mellon to Offer Benchmarks for Screened Investments
Launch of large cap index highlights KLD’s continued push to provide screened indexes across the domestic market.
NEWS STORY:
Magazine Industry Is Wasting Forests
New study finds magazines use almost no recycled paper and publishers have an incentive to overproduce wastefully.
NEWS STORY:
Simulating the Triple Bottom Line
Fiduciaries try their hand at socially responsible investing at the innovative "Triple Bottom Line Simulation Conference 2001" held in New York this week.
NEWS STORY:
ExxonMobil Feeling Heat on Both Sides of the Atlantic
Shareholder resolutions and boycotts put pressure on oil giant to change its stance on global warming and embrace clean energy.
NEWS STORY:
Winslow Launches New Green Mutual Fund
The Winslow Green Growth Fund will seek small- and mid-cap companies with superior environmental performance.
BOOK REVIEW:
Book Review: Sustainable Banking
Scholarly collection of perspectives and case studies explores the international financial sector’s role in sustainable development.
NEWS STORY:
Fortune Names Worst Corporate Boards
Excessive CEO and board member pay a recurring point in the annual roster of America's worst corporate boards.
NEWS STORY:
Merrill Lynch Drops Defined Asset Funds in the U.S.
Socially responsible investors now left with few options for unit investment trusts.
NEWS STORY:
Four New Funds Floated
The ARK Funds offers four new funds that will have exclusionary screens aimed at religious institutional investors.
NEWS STORY:
Fiduciaries Consider Socially Responsible Investing
First conference of its kind brings together institutional investors and the social investing industry to discuss why and how fiduciaries should adopt values-based investing.
NEWS STORY:
SAM Sees Future Profits in Energy
New European investment company will invest in companies with innovative technologies and services that realize more efficient and environment-friendly energy use.
NEWS STORY:
Major UK Fund Manager to Require Environmental Reporting
Institutional investors are increasingly seeing the need for environmental disclosure.
NEWS STORY:
Wal-Mart Booted Out of the Domini 400
KLD cites lack of leadership on labor controversies among reasons for removal.
NEWS STORY:
Do You Own Nuclear Power Stock?
Well-known conventional mutual funds and asset managers are looking to catch profits from nuclear power’s revival.
NEWS STORY:
New Family of Social Funds Launched in Canada
Number of socially responsible investment options expands by five.
NEWS STORY:
Shopping for Responsibility
Internet site is helping consumers base shopping decisions on values.
NEWS STORY:
European Members Urged to Halt Oil Activity in Sudan
U.K.-based charity calls for companies to suspend operations that are supporting an ongoing war.
NEWS STORY:
Procter & Gamble Heads List of 100 Best Corporate Citizens
Business Ethics magazine recently published their annual rankings of the companies that best serve a diverse group of stakeholders.
NEWS STORY:
The Dirt on Selling Green
The lessons learned from case studies on marketing environment-friendly, "values-based" products are examined in a new report.
NEWS STORY:
Top Ten Wood Product Companies Could Help Make Global Sustainable Forestry a Reality
A new World Wildlife Fund report states that the largest wood processors and buyers could tip the balance toward sustainable management of the world's forests.
BOOK REVIEW:
Book Review: The 50 Best Ethical Stocks for Canadians
Investment advisor and corporate social research expert pen book on building a socially responsible investment portfolio of individual stocks.
NEWS STORY:
Semiconductor Manufacturers to Limit Emission of Potent Greenhouse Gas
Voluntary agreement with EPA aims at a 10 percent reduction below 1995 baseline level.
NEWS STORY:
Do You Own Big Tobacco Stock?
Some well-known conventional mutual funds and pensions funds own big chunks of America's largest tobacco companies, Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds.
NEWS STORY:
Domini Social Index Goes Live
Leading social investment benchmark becomes more accessible with introduction of live feed.
NEWS STORY:
New Tech Incubator Warms to Socially Responsible Firms
A Washington, D.C.-area patent lawyer sparks formation of a tech incubator that aims to promote good corporate citizenship.
NEWS STORY:
California's Supreme Court to Decide Corporate Whitewash Trial
Suit charging Nike with false advertising regarding its labor practices has implications for corporate image advertising.
NEWS STORY:
FTSE Steps Forward with Four New Socially Responsible Indices
Four indices will be divided by geographical region with goal of advancing global social investing standards.
NEWS STORY:
New Association Promotes Social Investing in Asia
Organization's first goal of being an Internet-based social investing resource is realized as website goes online today.
NEWS STORY:
Study Examines Corporate Perspective on Supporting Causes
Companies view philanthropy in terms of achieving business goals, but not all are marketing their charitable efforts to the fullest extent.
NEWS STORY:
Labor Issue Database May Lighten Social Research Workload
International Labour Organization compiles database of Internet sources of information on corporate social responsibility-related employment and labor issues.
NEWS STORY:
Growth Dips in Natural Foods
Analysts unsure whether flat sales are a blip or a harbinger of things to come.
NEWS STORY:
Reputations of Older Firms Weather Chaotic 2000
Study finds that the reputations of some technology companies lost a little of their shine compared to 1999.
NEWS STORY:
Profile: Smith Barney Asset Management's Private Portfolio Group
The investment strategy of their Social Awareness Investment arm integrates fundamental financial assessment with research on socio-cultural trends and issues.
NEWS STORY:
Human Resources Practices Linked with Shareholder Value
Research in North America and Europe by global consulting firm finds companies with certain human resources policies can have over 25 percent higher market value.
NEWS STORY:
Fair Labor Association Approves Seven Companies for Monitoring
Apparel manufacturers' commitment to higher labor standards to be verified by independent monitoring organizations.
NEWS STORY:
Oekom Measures Food Industry's Appetite for Corporate Social Responsibility
German research firm publishes a study on the social and environmental performance of international food corporations.
NEWS STORY:
SEC Asked to Enforce Its Environmental Disclosure Rules
Socially responsible financial firm and international think-tank believe shareholders need more information about their companies' environmental risks.
NEWS STORY:
Global Compact Again Promoted at Davos
Secretary-General of the United Nations urges business leaders to "play their part in building the missing social infrastructure of the new global economy."
NEWS STORY:
Gang of Socially Responsible Angels
Angel investor group injects venture capital into promising, socially responsible start-up and early stage businesses.
NEWS STORY:
Social Mutual Funds Ride Green Technologies to the Top in 2000
Last year's best performing social mutual funds can thank clean and green technologies for their success.
NEWS STORY:
Unibanco Launches SRI Research in Brazil
SRI reports to provide foreign institutional investors with information on the environmental and social practices of major Brazilian companies.
BOOK REVIEW:
Book Review: Investing With Your Values
Thorough handbook on socially responsible investing is revised for the 21st century.
NEWS STORY:
U.K. Fund Managers Eye Socially Responsible Investment
New survey reveals many investment fund managers in the U.K. expect interest in socially responsible investment to continue growing.
NEWS STORY:
Swedish Company Goes for Global Environmental Responsibility
Skanksa becomes the first construction-related company in the world to extend environment certification throughout its entire global operations.
NEWS STORY:
New Labeling Program May Clear the Air in Your Office
Certification program tests interior construction materials, furnishings and office equipment for the emission of gases and pollutants.
NEWS STORY:
Chicago Community Loan Fund Meeting Human Needs
Loans for affordable housing, social service and other projects benefit low- and middle-income Chicago neighborhoods.
NEWS STORY:
Greener Multinationals Have Higher Market Value
A study tying high corporate environmental standards with greater market value adds to the growing body of evidence that poor environmental performance does not pay.
NEWS STORY:
Delta Sets Course for Increased Diversity
New program will train women and minority pilots, who then will be given priority employment consideration by Delta.
NEWS STORY:
Asian Mutual Fund Sets New Standard for Promoting Women's Issues
Singaporean fund manager not only invests in companies that are proactive on women's and family issues, but also contributes fund expense fees to women's development programs.
NEWS STORY:
SEC Disclosure Regulation Promotes Transparency
A new law governing how companies disclose information may be contributing to short-term volatility, but should be beneficial to all stakeholders over the long term.
NEWS STORY:
Canadian Business Organization Promotes Education on Corporate Social Responsibility
The Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility program will give professionals the opportunity to learn how corporate social responsibility can fit into their own organizations.
BOOK REVIEW:
Book Review: Socially Responsible Investing
Social investment industry pioneer Amy Domini pens a new, comprehensive book on the whys and hows of socially responsible investing.
NEWS STORY:
New Organization Facilitates Global Social Investing
A coalition of research organizations is working to provide investors greater access to worldwide social investment research products and services.
NEWS STORY:
Five Top Social Investing Stories of 2000
The end-of-the-year news roundup reflects socially responsible investing's continued march into the mainstream.
NEWS STORY:
Environmental Performance Linked to Shareholder Returns
Conclusions in a new report support the growing body of evidence that a positive relationship exists between corporate environmental practices and financial returns.
NEWS STORY:
Acuity Introduces Two New Funds
The Canadian mutual fund firm unveils two products with active social missions, expanding its fund offerings to 24.
NEWS STORY:
High-tech Company Websites Receive Mixed Grades
A California environmental organization evaluates the quality of environmental disclosure contained on the websites of high-tech companies. The results are relevant to social investors.
NEWS STORY:
Canada Values Social Investment
A new study reveals that socially responsible investment in Canada has reached nearly $50 billion.
NEWS STORY:
Frank Coleman Receives SRI Service Award
Vice President at Christian Brothers Investment Services is recognized for his significant contribution to social investing last year.
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San Francisco Investment Advisor Brings Value to Social Investing
Spare, Kaplan, Bischel & Associates' Socially Responsible Value strategy is a balm for growth portfolios.
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Roxbury Sees Value in Socially Responsible Portfolio
A California-based asset manager finds that social criteria reinforce their philosophy of choosing high-quality companies.
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Harris Bretall Analyst Is a Valuable Asset
An interview with Harris Bretall Vice President and Research Analyst Lloyd Kurtz reveals his wealth of experience in the evolution of social investing.
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FAFN Forges New Links Between Social Investors
First Affirmative Financial Network is bringing social investing to a new level of organization and updating the corporate culture of investment management.
NEWS STORY:
Winslow Management Has a Green Thumb for Investments
An interview with Winslow president Jack Robinson reveals how his unique blend of financial and gardening background has resulted in a successful investment style.
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