Every 6 weeks we bring you the latest research and reports from around the world via our RIAA Window Newsletter, for your convenience these are summarised below.
Responsible Research releases “Feeding Asia”
The dramatic food price rallies of 2010, echoing the surges and attendant social unrest of 2008, provide the context for this analysis of the challenges of feeding Asia over the coming decades. The issues are inherently complex and interrelated, but can be broadly categorised under the following headings: demand dynamics; supply pressures; environmental and social impacts and responses – price, policy and technology. The report also provides a disclosure based assessment of the readiness of Asian corporations operating in the food supply chain to meet the coming challenge.
Guide for disclosing climate risks from Ceres
Amid growing evidence that climate change is impacting the global environment and the global economy, the North American Ceres investor coalition recently released a new report aimed at improving corporate disclosure of climate-related risks and opportunities they face.
The Ceres report: Disclosing Climate Risks & Opportunities in SEC Filings: A Guide for Corporate Executives, Attorneys & Directors, developed with input from its 90-plus member Investor Network on Climate Risk, outlines steps for companies to improve disclosure. The 11-point checklist in the report for identifying, disclosing and addressing climate risks and opportunities can be used by investors as part of ongoing engagement activities with companies.
Garnaut’s report on carbon pricing and reducing Australia’s emissions
Ross Garnaut recently released a paper on Carbon Pricing and Reducing Australia’s Emissions. Some of the key points include:
It is in Australia’s national interest to encourage the international community to take strong mitigation action.
- Australia should play its proportionate part in global emissions reductions
- Economy-wide pricing of carbon is the centre piece of any policy designed to reduce emissions at the lowest possible costs.
- On balance, taking into account the history of policy discussion in Australia and internationally, and the desire for deep trade in entitlements, an emissions trading scheme, initially with a fixed (and rising) price, is the best instrument for long-term emissions reductions.
- Assistance should be provided to emissions intensive, trade exposed industries to the extent that they are disadvantaged in sales prices by other countries not having comparable carbon constraints.
- Wise use of revenue from a carbon price can reduce the cost to the economy, and promote productivity above what it otherwise would be.
- The scheme should be administered by an independent authority, taking important decisions on advice from independent expert bodies.
Sustainalytics report shows sustainability is key competitive driver in natural resources sector
A new study by Sustainalytics highlights links between sustainability performance and shareholder value. The report, Sustainability and Materiality in the Natural Resources Sector looks at environmental and social practices in the forestry, mining and oil and sectors and finds positive correlation to competitiveness in each sector. The first of three reports, which focuses on the mining sector, will be released on March 31.
Learn more about the report or contact Sustainalytics at communications@sustainalytics.com.
GMI examine gender diversity on boards
The third edition of GovernanceMetrics’ Women on Boards report is released amidst the increasingly vigorous debate on gender diversity and its importance in the boardroom. Thus far, the issue has received the strongest voice in Europe, where quotas in Norway have been established since 2006. France has recently signed quotas into law while Spain and the Netherlands are on track to enact such requirements.
In Australia, Women on Boards, the leading advocate for improving gender diversity on boards, used the occasion of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day to remind people that women occupy fewer than 25 per cent of board roles on all but Government boards, and this is not trending upwards.
Novethic releases study on shareholder engagement practices
A recent Novethic study surveyed shareholder engagement practices across mainly European countries and explains why investors implement them. Long-term value creation, reputational risk and ESG reporting requirements are investors’ three main motivations. From “Say on Pay” resolutions, asking for transparency on executives’ remuneration packages, to objective alliances between investors and NGOs to promote human rights in India, to requests for explanations on tar sands projects in the oil sector, engagement is transforming the relations established between shareholders and company executives.
How and why are these practices, estimated at EUR 1,500 billion in Europe, developing? Find the answer in the study “Shareholder engagement: A promising SRI practice“.
2% of GDP to achieve sustainable development and poverty eradication?
Investing two per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) into ten key sectors could kick-start a transition towards a low carbon, resource-efficient sustainable economy. This is the conclusion of the report Towards a Green Economy: Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Cool Brands versus Hot Brands? Big names lack leadership on climate change
EIRIS’ releases its third annual Climate Change Tracker report tracking the performance of the world’s biggest 300 companies in tackling climate change. The study finds that 69% of those with a high climate change impact lack adequate policies, management systems and reporting on climate change.
Australian labour issues being left out of sustainability reporting
A detailed study of the Sustainability Reports of major Australian companies shows they are failing to report adequately or at all on key labour issues like workplace safety, work conditions and job security, according to an independent report released by the CFMEU Mining and Energy Union.
Eurosif Infrastructure Report Published
The European Sustainable Investment Forum recently released their Infrastructure Report. The report discusses the major ESG issues affecting the infrastructure sector which include a growing population, under financing, security and climate change.
Valuing Corporate Responsibility: How Do Investors Really Use Corporate Responsibility Information?
Dr Rory Sullivan, a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds and a Strategic Advisor to Ethix SRI Advisors, has recently published Valuing Corporate Responsibility with an aim to address the ‘dialogue of the deaf’ that characterises many of the discussions between companies and their investors on corporate responsibility issues.
PAST REPORTS
View past reports published during the past year, which are older than 6 months.
