| From across the nation and around the world, INSIGHTS-edge brings you news, commentary and research in key areas of interest regarding ESG, Sovereign Wealth Funds and US Public Sector Pension Funds. We watch the watchers...who are watching you. ESG / Sustainability Three-Fourths of U.K. Companies Haven't Yet Measured Carbon Footprints
(Source: Bloomberg) Almost three-quarters of U.K. companies have yet to measure their carbon footprints, the government’s Carbon Trust said. Some 26 percent of companies currently measure greenhouse gas output, with 38 percent planning to begin within five years, the trust said today in a survey of 200 finance directors at firms employing more than 500 people. What the Heck is a Sustainable Supply Network Anyway?
(Source: Reuters) The first thing you will notice is that I am bringing the concept of a supply chain into the 21st Century by calling it what it actually is...a Supply Network. A chain is linear, and has links above and below, while a network is dynamic and connected in many places. Scheme losses on BP disaster are an ESG failure
(Source: Professional Pensions) It said the Deepwater disaster was "a stark illustration of the potential consequences of a neglect of ESG risks" "This worrying level of complacency - with many pension funds doing little to protect their members' money from ESG risks, despite accepting that such risks can be material - indicates an underlying trend which presents a risk of worse financial and economic shocks in the future," it added. China Labor Watch: Worst Sweatshop in the World
(Source: CSR Wire) New York- As most people know, Dollar General Corporation (DGC) is one of the biggest retailers in the U.S., and Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts (KKR) is the major investor of DGC. However, what many people may not know is that employees working for the world's biggest brand are doing their jobs in conditions with the lowest health and safety standard, and getting the lowest pay. Sovereign Wealth Funds BlackRock May Court Wealth Funds If Banks Exit
(Source: BusinessWeek) BlackRock Inc. may court investors such as sovereign wealth funds as Bank of America Corp. considers a sale of its 34 percent stake in the asset manager, Credit Suisse Group AG’s Craig Siegenthaler said. Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund takes off
(Source: Nigerian Tribune) The proposed sovereign wealth fund has taken off. This follows the setting aside of $1 billion for the fund by the Federal Government. President Goodluck Jonathan had told the National Economic Council, some months ago, to establish a framework for the fund within three months. Norway's Oil Fund Lost $25 Billion in Second Quarter on Stock Slump, BP
(Source: Bloomberg) Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, the world’s second largest, lost 155 billion kroner ($25 billion) in the second quarter as the European debt crisis caused stocks to slump and BP Plc tumbled after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. | Coming Soon… 
We are in the process of upgrading INSIGHTS-edge, including the addition of many more profiles, identification of ESG critical issues of importance to corporations and investors, adding to the toolbox (twitter, customized email alerts and more). You will see the 2.0 version soon. And, we are rebranding the platform to better identify the focus of our efforts:SustainabilityHQTM
will be here September 1, 2010.
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US Public Sector Pension Funds CalPERS Focus List Improves Company Performance, Study Shows
(Source: CalPers) The California Public Employees’ Retirement System’s (CalPERS) engagement with companies on its annual Focus List significantly improved stock performance over the past 23 years, the CalPERS Investment Committee was told today. “The data strongly show that CalPERS involvement has generally stopped the erosion of performance results,” Wilshire Associates, the pension fund’s prime consultant, said in a report to the Board. “CalPERS good governance campaign has added value to the share prices of targeted companies.” Calif. treasurer wants reports on top public salaries
(Source: Reuters) The Calpers public pension fund should report the top 100 salaries paid to California politicians so they don't spiral out of control, as happened in the city of Bell, the state treasurer said on Thursday. Wall Street costs Ohio millions of dollars in pension funds
(Source: News Herald) The 2008 Wall Street collapse affected investment funds throughout the country, and the Ohio Police and Firefighters Pension Fund was among those, losing tens of millions of dollars. State Attorney General Richard Cordray has filed lawsuits in federal courts trying to recover money for that and other affected Ohio pension funds. Watching the Watchers Nordic Engagement Cooperation
Established: 2008 KEY PARTNERS
Cooperation composed of Folksam, Ilmarinen, and KLP, with screening from GES Investment Services OVERVIEW / MISSION
The collaboration was developed to perform screening and conduct engagement between pension funds and companies: “The NEC collaboration will be based on a systematic screening of approximately 4,500 companies in order to identify and examine possible violations of international conventions and guidelines on ESG issues.” The group’s goal is to identify around 20 candidates for “in-depth assessment” and then, annually, “conduct an active dialogue with around ten companies.” Each fund will make its own decisions on possible exclusions. Member organizations are pension funds: Folksam (Sweden), Ilmarinen (Finland), and Kommunal Landspensjonskasse (KLP) (Norway). The group was seeking a Danish partner when it formed. |
