SocialFunds.com Daily news from Socialfunds.com covering socially responsible investing and corporate responsibility http://www.socialfunds.com Findings of Chamber Report on Proxy Voting are Challenged By Robert Kropp. Adam Kanzer of Domini Social Investments analyzes report issued by the US Chamber of Commerce, and finds questionable methodology and political bias. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2729.html news@socialfunds.com Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST Report Suggests that CDFIs are Weathering the Worst of the Economic Crisis By Robert Kropp. With funding for community development financial institutions a central part of the economic stimulus, and with renewed interest from individual investors, CDFIs look forward to improved performance for remainder of 2009. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2728.html news@socialfunds.com Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST House Passes Waxman-Markey Clean Energy Bill By Robert Kropp. American Clean Energy and Security Act seeks to reduce US dependence on oil, invest in clean energy technologies, and reduce carbon emissions. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2727.html news@socialfunds.com Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Book Review: The Truth about Green Business By Robert Kropp. Author Gil Friend surveys the current state of sustainable corporations, and provides steps that companies can take to green their business. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2726.html news@socialfunds.com Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST New Investment Indices Will Track Companies Adapting to Low-Carbon Economy By Robert Kropp. Family of indices developed by the Carbon Disclosure Project and Markit join a growing number of investment vehicles that include environmental considerations. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2725.html news@socialfunds.com Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Activist Shareowners Tally Victories in 2009 Proxy Season By Robert Kropp. The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and As You Sow report successful shareowner efforts on resolutions addressing corporate governance, the environment, and human rights. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2724.html news@socialfunds.com Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Lack of Indigenous Rights Policies Puts Companies at Risk By Robert Kropp. Report finds that few companies engaged in extractive business activities in indigenous lands have policies that address indigenous rights concerns. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2723.html news@socialfunds.com Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Do Private Equity Buyouts Lead to Improved Corporate Governance? By Robert Kropp. Report by the Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute finds that governance policies at buyout-backed companies often reward executives at the expense of shareowners. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2722.html news@socialfunds.com Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Investors Face Risk From Lack of Disclosure by Nanotechnology Companies By Robert Kropp. Report from the Investor Environmental Health Network finds that regulatory loopholes leave investors in the dark about potential liabilities, and suggests corrective steps for regulators to take. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2721.html news@socialfunds.com Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Investors Call on ILO to Ensure End of Child Labor in Uzbekistan By Robert Kropp. Letter from investors to the ILO cites documentation that rights abuses continue in Uzbek cotton harvest, and asks the organization to monitor fall 2009 harvest. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2720.html news@socialfunds.com Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Job Growth in Clean Energy Outpaces Overall Job Market By Robert Kropp. Report from the Pew Center on the States finds that job growth in the clean energy economy has been sustained by investment, and with increased government assistance is likely to weather economic downturn. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2719.html news@socialfunds.com Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Industry Initiatives Help Companies Adapt to Expectations on CSR Issues By Robert Kropp. Report by the Ethical Corporation Institute finds examples of success among industry initiatives that address CSR, but others that have yet to meet the expectations of stakeholders. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2718.html news@socialfunds.com Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Mortgage Borrowers Gain Tool to Access Fair and Safe Loans By Robert Kropp. The Fair Mortgage Collaborative provides consumers with access to mortgage lenders who have been certified for their fair lending practices. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2717.html news@socialfunds.com Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Obama Administration Proposes Legislation on Say-on-Pay By Robert Kropp. Legislation would authorize the SEC to require annual shareowner votes on executive compensation, and would require standards of independence for corporate compensation committees. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2716.html news@socialfunds.com Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Damage to Ecosystems Can Lead to Financial Losses and Reputational Risks for Companies By Robert Kropp. Report by Eurosif and oekem research finds that risks to five industrial sectors can be offset by attention to biodiversity. The financial services sector faces risks and opportunities as well. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2715.html news@socialfunds.com Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Guidelines for Corporate Disclosure of Costs of Climate Change Are Proposed By Robert Kropp. The Climate Disclosure Standards Board issues a proposed framework that would align corporate reporting of climate change with principles and objectives of financial reporting rules. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2714.html news@socialfunds.com Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST S&P 500 Companies Face Financial Risks Under Cap-and-Trade Legislation By Robert Kropp. Report by the Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute and Trucost finds the utilities sector to be especially vulnerable, and advises investors to incorporate climate change risks into their investment strategies. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2713.html news@socialfunds.com Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST SEC Forms Investor Advisory Committee By Robert Kropp. Commission invokes its mandate to protect investors as a factor in the formation of the Committee, which includes in its membership representatives of the social investment community. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2712.html news@socialfunds.com Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Investments in Clean Energy Are Hampered by Financial Crisis By Robert Kropp. Report by the United Nations Environment Program finds that modest improvement in investment amounts in 2008 have been undermined by the financial crisis, as investors wait for effects of government policies. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2711.html news@socialfunds.com Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST Investors Must Lead Efforts to Reduce Climate Change Risks By Robert Kropp. Report by the United Nations Global Compact finds opportunities in a transition to a low-carbon economy to be challenged by the urgency of climate change risks. http://www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2710.html news@socialfunds.com Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST