Feature Articles
Sound case for going ‘green’
FT article by Ian Simm, Board Member of IMPAX, published on 5 December 2005 (PDF Download)
"Since their nadir in 2002,
environmental markets, like the digital economy, have rebounded with a
vengeance. Indeed, they represent one of the few areas where investors
are enjoying relatively predictable returns on the back of strong
growth and long-term potential."
Asia-Pacific 2005: The Ecological Footprint and Natural Wealth
by the Global Footprint Network and WWF (PDF Download)
"The report shows that since 1961,
the region has more than doubled its consumption of ecological
resources and now demands nearly 40 per cent of the total capacity of
global ecosystems each year. Together, the Asia-Pacific countries are
home to 55 percent of the world's population." This is a
useful resource for examining some of the trends driving the growth of
sustainable investment in Asia.
Feature articles focus on current trends and investment opportunities in the field of SRI, TBLI and Corporate Governance, offering a source of new information and insights.
Do you have an idea for an article, or would like to submit an article for publication? Please send a letter to the editor.
Columns
How to Win Without Racing
by Robert Rubinstein
It seems that there is no transition
between one year and another. Each New Years period seems to be shorter
and shorter. I remember having a period of peace, after all the
firecrackers were ignited. Wandering around the streets of New York or
Amsterdam on New Years day, there was tranquility and space for
contemplation, among the piles of burned out fireworks. There was
always a break from the last year to the new year.
Now, it seems that as soon as December 31 23:59:59 ticks over into January 1st, the merry go round starts in full swing. Some might take a holiday, but even when we return, there is hardly time to reflect before the targets and pressure for performance start again. After I returned from a holiday, I already felt that everyone I called was in full swing doing their job. When I said Happy New Year, they responded in a enigmatic way as if that was a century ago.
My New Year's resolution is to try and make that space for transition, reflection, even if it is only a day. Each year we used to clean up our minds, desks, idea, and prepare for the coming year of challenges. Now there seems to be no time for that. Let's take that time to dream.
“There is more to life than simply increasing its speed.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
Now, it seems that as soon as December 31 23:59:59 ticks over into January 1st, the merry go round starts in full swing. Some might take a holiday, but even when we return, there is hardly time to reflect before the targets and pressure for performance start again. After I returned from a holiday, I already felt that everyone I called was in full swing doing their job. When I said Happy New Year, they responded in a enigmatic way as if that was a century ago.
My New Year's resolution is to try and make that space for transition, reflection, even if it is only a day. Each year we used to clean up our minds, desks, idea, and prepare for the coming year of challenges. Now there seems to be no time for that. Let's take that time to dream.
“There is more to life than simply increasing its speed.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
Angel of the Month
When I was in Bangkok during Christmas, I met someone named David Lyman. He was unbelievably generous with his time, network, and council. After learning more about this "Chief Values Officer" of Tilleke & Gibbins, it became clear that he was the most appropriate Angel of the Month.
During his long period with Tilleke & Gibbins (over 38 years) he has tried to put corporate governance and CSR at the forefront of business values. On his business card a clear commitment to the following values is printed, including: "We care, We value integrity. We are business, yet family. Clients are our guests. Our facilities reflect character, soul, comfort, elegance." I was most impressed with the ease with which David shared his network and contacts to assist me in making the upcoming TBLI Asia event a success. It was wonderful to see that he, too, felt that there are enough rewards for all of us and, as a result, sharing is essential.
Thank you and congratulations.
News
Socially Responsible Investment
BBC:
Ethical investment made easy
SAM
names chief executive
ABN
AMRO Bank to Receive 2006 World Environment Center Gold Medal
Wal-Mart
Focus of Actions by Faith-Based Investors
Socially
Responsible Property Investment Still on the Drafting Table
Top Five SRI News Stories of 2005
Screening & Reporting
GRI releases Draft of G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines
Eurosif releases Handbook on Active Share Ownership in Europe - 2006
Once an environmental leader, U.S. now barely follows
Alcoa
Recognized as Worldwide Leader in Ethical Covalence Rankings
Boring From Within
Socially Responsible, or Unacceptable?
Corporate Social Responsibility
Brands shoulder more responsibility
Staff warning for finance industry
Data Clarifies SRI Proxy Voting on CSR Resolutions
Corporate responsibility lifts business ethic
Corporate Governance
EC presents new corporate governance plans
Corporate Governance: Panic in the Boardroom
Euromoney ranks China Airlines Taiwan’s best corporate governance
Climate Change
China's Renewable Energy Law Takes Effect
In the Year of the Oil Boom, Some SRI Funds Look Elsewhere for Strong Performance in 2005
Big businesses urged to use clean technology to tackle climate change
Hillary Rodham Clinton Keynotes at Cleantech Venture Forum VIII, Announces Energy Strategy
Miscellaneous
The
McKinsey Quarterly: Ten trends to watch in 2006
Fake Science (Audio in RealMedia format)
Fake Science in Action: JunkScience.com
What do you call it when fake science is used to debunk science as fake science? Fun site to visit.
We select a variety of current news
items hosted at third-party websites that cover a broad range of issues
from different perspectives around sustainable finance and asset
management, corporate social responsibility, climate change, and
corporate governance. Some sites
require registration and links may go
stale over time. Please let us know if there is
a story we should
include in next month's newsletter.
Do you have a comment or reaction on any of the material presented in the Newsletter? Send a letter to the editor.
Publications
Human Rights: It is your Business
As many as eight out of ten people think that companies should be at least partially responsible for reducing human rights abuses. This is but one example of a rising tide of expectations faced by business from a range of stakeholders on the issue of business and human rights. This paper summarises these expectations and, in the context of greater public and media scrutiny of the impact of business on society, describes evolving good practice on how the corporate response can be managed effectively and efficiently.The
Ecological Engineer – Volume One KEEN Engineering
by David R. Macaulay & Jason F. McLennan$42.95, ISBN: 0—9749033-4-5
KEEN Engineering is the first
volume of the new book series, The Ecological Engineer; books that
commemorate the most innovative engineers in North America. Ecotone
plans to release additional volumes in the near future. 'This
accessible resource will appeal to the practicing engineers, architects
and designers, as well as students looking for a source of solid and
effective ecological principles'
The Market for Virtue: The Potenital and Limits of Corporate Social Responsibility
by Dr. David Vogel222 Pages, USD $28.95, ISBN 0-8157-9076-7
David Vogel strives to provide a
balanced perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility in his latest
book. In most ways, he is successful. Not only is CSR
usually misunderstood and poorly implemented, but it is improperly
vilified by one side and improperly deified by the other. With
illustrative cases and systematic analysis, Vogel provides a useful and
insightful account of the current potential and drawbacks of CSR.
Greenhouse Gas Protocol: The GHG Protocol for Project Accounting
published in partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (PDF Download)
Provides specific principles, concepts, and methods for quantifying and reporting GHG reductions from climate change mitigation projects.
320 pages, Pb ISBN 0-86571-537-8, US$18.95 / Can$22.95
'Chasing the Sun is a story of dreamers and doers who succeeded in their mission to make the world better by delivering nature's energy to poor people and by building organizations to put the sun at their service in practical, affordable and effective ways. A green-energy development narrative that is fun and eye-opening, the book is also part autobiography.'
Greenhouse Gas Protocol: The GHG Protocol for Project Accounting
published in partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (PDF Download)
Provides specific principles, concepts, and methods for quantifying and reporting GHG reductions from climate change mitigation projects.
ICCR Launches EthVest Database
Powerful Online Resource for Investors, FInancial Analysts & Corporate Management. The new ICCR subscription EthVest Database contains more than 12 years of ICCR shareholder activism, much of the content in the form of 2,000-plus shareholder resolutions (complete text), as well as details of shareholder-sponsored resolutions searchable by targeted company name, stock ticker, calendar year, proxy resolution filer, (sponsor), keyword and issues.Chasing The Sun: Solar Adventures Around the World
by Neville Williams320 pages, Pb ISBN 0-86571-537-8, US$18.95 / Can$22.95
'Chasing the Sun is a story of dreamers and doers who succeeded in their mission to make the world better by delivering nature's energy to poor people and by building organizations to put the sun at their service in practical, affordable and effective ways. A green-energy development narrative that is fun and eye-opening, the book is also part autobiography.'
L'Investissement
Socialement Responsable
by César de Brito, Jean-Philippe Desmartin, Valéry
Lucas-Leclin, François Perrin€30.00, 311 pages, French Language
(English translation pending)
Mandatory reading for those working with or interested in the French SRI market.
Photo by P. Gihring 2005