NYSE Euronext And Vigeo Launch ESG Indices. – [COMMENTARY] “To promote and support responsible investment (RI), NYSE Euronext (NYX), the world’s largest exchange group, and Vigeo, the leading European expert in responsible performance, have teamed up to launch a range of indices focusing on the three pillars of RI: the environment, social issues and governance…

Swiss Voters Approve Binding Say On Pay! – [COMMENTARY] “The vote gives shareholders of companies listed in Switzerland a binding say on the overall pay packages for executives and directors. Pension funds holding shares in a company would be obligated to take part in votes on compensation packages. In addition, companies would no longer be…

RIRA, India′s Sustainability Forum, Goes Live. – [COMMENTARY] “RIRA–India′s Sustainability Forum–was officially launched on the evening of January 29th. The project went live at a compact event at Mumbai, India attended by the Founders: Bloomberg, IDFC, GIZ, MCX- SX and YES Bank; Other Members: Penn Schoen Berland, Solaron and KPMG; prospect members, partners and other…

Asia Sustainable Investment Review 2012. – [COMMENTARY] “The Association for Sustainable & Responsible Investment in Asia (ASrIA), the region′s professional membership association for the sustainable and responsible investment industry, today released the Asia Sustainable Investment Review 2012, a baseline study of sustainable investment strategies and practices by investors based in Asia. ASrIA reports that over…

CSR, Profits ‘Closely Linked.′ – [COMMENTARY] “In the AFA [Adam Friedman Associates] survey, 88 percent of respondents cited company reputation as a factor in CSR decision-making. This was followed by the company′s competitive positioning and social consciousness, which 71 percent of respondents mentioned. Profitability (38 percent) and pending or existing legislation (32 percent) were determined…

European Banking Ethics Study Notes Challenges For Banks. – [COMMENTARY] “Ethics is seen as reputational risk but is not included in risk management of organisations as such. Financial institutions have ethics policies in place but lag behind in setting targets and objectives implying that the level of integration and progress cannot be evaluated. Most financial…