Investors Urge Citigroup Board to Consider Breakup of Too Big to Fail Bank
Trillium Asset Management and AFSCME Employees Pension Plan file a shareowner resolution with Citigroup asking its board to explore a separation of one or more of its business units.

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SEC Refuses to Delay Extractives Transparency Rule
The Commission tells industry trade association that rule governing disclosure of payments to governments will be implemented as scheduled, despite pending lawsuit challenging its validity.

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US Banks Persist in Financing Climate Change
A report from BankTrack and the Rainforest Action Network urges financial institutions to measure and report on financed emissions, and recommends that they support expanded disclosure requirements being developed by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

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Food and Agriculture Industry Lags in Assuring Worker Equity
A report by Sustainalytics and Tellus Institute describes workers' rights as less of a priority for companies in the sector than consumer health, environmental impact, and animal welfare.

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CDP Water Disclosure Issues 2012 Report on Corporate Water Use
For the first time, the initiative publishes a separate report focusing on water management by US companies, as the number of institutional investors requesting corporate disclosures on water increases to 470.

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Oil Sands Producers Urged to Adopt Environmental and Social Performance Goals
A coalition of 49 investors with $2 trillion in assets call on newly formed association of producers to set specific goals for improving environmental and social performance.

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Independent Shareowners Want Murdoch out as Chairman of News Corp
Resolutions calling for separation of Chairperson and CEO, and end to dual-class stock structure, gain support of two-thirds of independent shareowners at media company's annual meeting.

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Investors Report on Campaign to Address Human Trafficking at London Olympics
A coalition of investors led by Christian Brothers Investment Services report that all but one of 33 corporations responded to its letter on the issue, and a number have taken concrete steps to address human trafficking.

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Growth of Sustainable Investment in Europe Continues to Outpace the Overall Market
In its fifth biennial survey of sustainable investment in Europe, Eurosif identifies norms-based screening as the fastest-growing strategy, and urges improved communications to encourage greater uptake of sustainable investment by retail investors.

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Extractives Commitment to Human Rights Improving
But research from Oxfam America indicates that policies supporting Free, Prior, and Informed Consent must include a transition from resource extraction to development partnerships.

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Shell Says Oil Spills from Corroded Pipes in Nigeria Due to Sabotage
Amnesty International and the Center for Environment, Human Rights and Development cite the assessment of experts that the latest in a series of oil spills in the Niger Delta was due to corrosion in poorly-maintained pipes owned by Shell.

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Is Corporate Reporting Sufficient to Meet Sustainability Goals?
Mark McElroy of the Center for Sustainable Organizations argues that the absence of context for corporate sustainability measurements increases the likelihood that meaningful goals will not be met.

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Treasury Bonds Issue Will Help Fund Clean Energy Deployment
The Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act would both provide for the sale of US Treasury Bonds to help finance clean energy technologies, and extend the federal Production Tax Credit for wind energy.

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Labor Conditions Improving at Chinese Supplier to Apple
The Fair Labor Association reports that Foxconn Technology Group, Apple's largest supplier, is ahead of schedule in meeting commitments such as higher wages and less mandatory overtime.

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SEC Issues Rules on Conflict Minerals and Payments to Governments
Responses by sustainable investors and other stakeholders to payments to governments in resource-rich countries is generally positive, but concerns are voiced over provisions in the conflict minerals regulation. Second of a two-part series.

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Pension Fund Wants Wal-Mart to Come Clean on Bribery Allegations
After receiving documents relating to allegations of bribery by the retail giant's Mexican subsidiary, the Indiana Electrical Workers Pension Trust Fund charges in a lawsuit that nearly half of the pages were blacked out.

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Church of England Sells its Shares in News Corp.
A year of engagement following the phone hacking and bribery scandal has failed to produce a commitment by the media giant to improve its corporate governance, and the Church responds to the lack of progress with divestment.

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Proxy Access Still Key to Changing Corporate Behavior
SocialFunds.com talks with James McRitchie of CorpGov.net about corporate governance shareowner proposals and the case for improved proxy access for individual investors.

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Voting Rights Curtailed by Dual-Class Structure, News Corp. Shareowners Call for Reforms
Eighteen investors representing over $1.6 trillion in assets under management write to Rupert Murdoch, urging him to support a shareowner resolution calling for the separation of the positions of Chair and CEO.

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Apple Reverses Plan to Dump Green Registry
The computer giant reverses its decision to leave the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool registry, calling it a mistake after consumer backlash.

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ICCR and the Business Case for Sustainability
For the first time, members of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility engage in corporate dialogues more often than submit shareowner resolutions, reflecting the growing awareness of the business case for corporate sustainability measures. Second of a two-part series.

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NASDAQ to Promote Sustainability Disclosure
At Rio+20, the US-based stock exchange joins four counterparts in encouraging corporations to disclose environmental, social, and governance risks and opportunities.

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Community Investment Options Increase but Barriers Remain
A report from US SIF details an increasing number of community investment options, but low awareness, perceptions of low returns and high risk, and increased regulatory scrutiny remain as barriers to a wider uptake of the practice.

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Shareowners Await Support from Legislators and Regulators in Addressing Corporate Political Spending
As support for resolutions requesting disclosure of corporate political spending increases, efforts to address the issue on a macro level are stirring but are unlikely to effect 2012 elections.

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Separating CEO and Chair Provides Financial Benefits
A report from GMI Ratings finds that companies with a combined CEO and chair pay far more compensation for the positions, are more likely to pursue aggressive accounting practices, and are twice as likely to receive a failing grade for environmental, social, and corporate governance performance.

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CDFIs Rebound from Financial Crisis
The National Community Investment Fund reports that 88 certified community development financial institutions earned a net income of $82 million in 2011, reversing a two-year decline.

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Behind the Scenes, Corporations Undermine Science-Based Climate Policy
The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that many US-based corporations engage in greenwashing by maintaining a public image of climate consciousness while secretly undermining climate science and policy.

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A Trillion Dollar Call for Best Practices in Fracking Operations
Fifty-five institutional investment organizations representing $1 trillion in assets under management call for adoption of best practices by oil and gas companies engaged in hydraulic fracturing.

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Two-thirds of Cairn Energy Shareowners Reject Say-on-Pay Proposal
The vote at the UK-based energy exploration company comes after Business Secretary Vince Cable proposes that shareowner votes on executive compensation be binding.

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JP Morgan Chase Holds Annual Meeting Days After $2 Billion Loss
A resolution calling for improved corporate governance through separating the roles of Chair and CEO gains 40% of shareowner support.

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Investors Call for Steps to Eliminate Sex Trafficking at London Olympics
ICCR members and other investors write to airlines, hotel chains, and corporate sponsors of the Games, and launch website to encourage public involvement in ending human sex trafficking.

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Chesapeake Energy Agrees to Separation of Chair and CEO
The controversial oil and gas company agrees to a key corporate governance reform after widespread criticism of an arrangement allowing CEO Aubrey McClendon to borrow more than a billion dollars from its treasury.

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Sustainable Investment by Pension Funds Total Less than One Percent of Assets
Despite the necessity of a low-carbon economy and the opportunities for investment in the transition, efforts by governments and institutional investors remain inadequate. Second of a two-part series.

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Eurosif Outlines ESG Risks to Media Companies
The fast-changing media sector faces risks associated with trust, freedom of expression, and diversity, and a report cites examples of best practice in an environment dominated by the News Corporation's phone hacking scandal.

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Shareowners Vote Down Citigroup Pay Package
Fifty-five percent of Citigroup's shareowners vote against the executive compensation package proposed by management, marking the first time that shareowners have done so at a big bank.

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JPMorgan Chase Faces Investing in Genocide Resolution
For the second year, Investors Against Genocide submits shareowner proposal addressing JPMorgan Chase's extensive holdings in PetroChina, a corporate contributor to genocide in Sudan.

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Companies Advised to Address Risks in Supply Chains
A Procurement Report from Eurosif establishes the business case for addressing environmental and social risks in corporate supply chains, and recommends that investors assess the exposure of companies in their portfolios.

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Shareowner Resolution Calls for Independent Board Chair at News Corporation
Christian Brothers Investment Services resubmits proposal introduced at the media giant's annual meeting last October, citing the company's inaction in implementing reforms in the wake of phone hacking scandal.

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Green Jobs Topped Three Million in 2010
In its first-ever tally of green jobs, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics counts 3.1 million jobs in businesses that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources.

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Climate Change Imperils Coastal Cities in US
In a new report, Climate Central finds that millions of US residents are at risk from rising sea levels and increasing numbers of storm surges.

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PRI Signatories Challenge 29 Corporations to Meet Their Obligations to Report
The companies are members of the UN Global Compact but have failed to submit an annual Communication on Progress as required.

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James Murdoch Steps Down at News International
Christian Brothers Investment Services welcomes the move as a small first step, but calls for additional corporate governance reforms at the media giant.

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ICCR Focuses on Dialogues More than Resolutions in Corporate Engagement
SocialFunds.com talks with Laura Berry about the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility's shift in emphasis from filing shareowner resolutions to corporate engagement through dialogues.

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Shareowners Continue Campaign for Disclosure of Risks Associated with Fracking
Ten shareowner resolutions addressing hydraulic fracturing have been filed thus far for the 2012 proxy season, and proponents for improved disclosure look to improve upon last year's 40% vote in support.

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Investors Team with Law Enforcement Professionals to Combat Sex Trafficking at Super Bowl
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility members warn that child sex trafficking increases during large sporting events, and engage with Indianapolis hotels to raise awareness of the risk at this year's Super Bowl.

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Investors Vow to Address Climate Change even as Congress Fails to Act
At the Investor Summit on Climate Risk & Energy Solutions, hosted by Ceres, institutional investors note progress in managing climate change in their portfolios, but warn that further action must be taken now.

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Investors Advised to Increase Climate-Sensitive Allocations and Engage with Companies and Policymakers on Climate Change
Mercer follows up groundbreaking 2011 study of the economic costs of climate change with a survey of the climate change-related investment strategies of institutional investors.

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States, Cities Call for End of Corporate Personhood
California joins Vermont in calling for a constitutional amendment overturning Citizens United, and the New York City Council joins Los Angeles in unanimously supporting an amendment.

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CEO Pay at S&P 500 Companies Up 37% in 2010
Increases in CEO pay are far greater than those of share prices, GovernanceMetrics International finds, and three of the highest paid executives are with companies whose shareowners have expressed dissatisfaction over pay packages.

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EPA Finds Drinking Water Tainted by Fracking
An analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency finds that hydraulic fracturing is responsible for polluting the drinking water in Pavilion, Wyoming.

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Shareowners Support Annual Say-on-Pay Votes
An analysis by GovernanceMetrics International finds that while 42% of companies recommended a shareowner vote on executive compensation every three years, 72% of shareowners voted in favor of annual votes.

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42 S&P500 Companies at Risk for Failed Say-on-Pay in 2012
An analysis by GovernanceMetrics International finds that 157 companies in the Russell 3000 also failed to gain 70% of shareowner support, and recommends that those companies engage with shareowners on executive compensation.

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Investors Provide Guidance for Compliance with California Transparency in Supply Chains Act
Companies are encouraged to go beyond compliance with law and enact policies that commit them to addressing human trafficking in their supply chains.

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Support by Mutual Funds for Sustainability Proposals Increases, but is it Happening Quickly Enough?
SocialFunds.com talks with Jackie Cook of Fund Votes about the results of voting by mutual funds on shareowner proposals in 2011 relating to sustainability.

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Executive Compensation Policies Slightly Better After Say on Pay Regulation
GMI analyzes executive compensation packages at S&P 500 companies, and finds incremental improvement as well as a correlation between ratings and proxy votes.

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Murdoch to Shareowner Activists: the Polls are now Closed
Julie Tanner of Christian Brothers Investment Services describes the frustration of advocating for governance reforms at the annual meeting of scandal-plagued News Corp.

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Ignoring Stalemate in Congress, States Still Embrace Energy Efficiency
Massachusetts displaces California in the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's fifth study of states' energy efficiency efforts.

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Asian Companies Show Improvement in ESG Reporting
As sustainable investors increasingly turn their attention to emerging markets, EIRIS finds that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance by Asian companies needs improvement.

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Pension Funds in US Slow to Add Sustainable Investment Options
US SIF survey of ESG uptake by defined contribution plans reveals that while most respondents have little or not understanding of sustainable investment, most expect an increase in interest in next five years. First of two-part series.

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Council of Institutional Investors Analyzes Say-on-Pay Proposals
A report from the CII finds that pay for performance issues were cited most often by institutional investors as the reason for voting against management proposals.

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ICCR Celebrates Forty Years of Shareowner Activism
More than 300 attend event that included a panel discussion on corporate responsibility and an eloquent address by Paul Neuhauser on shareowner action to end apartheid in South Africa.

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US Companies Don't Wait for Regulation, Address Climate Change to Compete
The Carbon Disclosure Project's survey of S&P 500 companies finds that the number integrating climate change into business strategies nearly doubles.

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Sustainability Issues Persist but Urgency to Address them Declines
A survey of sustainability experts finds that while issues such as energy, climate change, and water scarcity remain critical, a sense of urgency in dealing with them is declining.

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More Large Companies Have Climate Change Strategies
In its most recent annual report, the Carbon Disclosure Project finds that for the first time a majority of Global 500 companies integrate climate change into business strategies.

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SEC Considering Oversight of Hydraulic Fracturing
As investor concerns over the risks of hydraulic fracturing increase, news reports indicate that the Commission is asking companies for information relating to chemicals used in the practice.

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Cap-and-Trade Program for Water Quality Advances
The Electric Power Research Institute receives a $1 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture for its Ohio River Basin Water Quality Trading Project, which seeks to improve watersheds at lower cost.

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Increased Support for Shareowner Proposals in 2011
Reports on 2011 proxy season by ISS and Ernst & Young reveal that shareowner support for social and environmental proposals continues to grow.

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Investors Urge SEC to Pursue Proxy Access
The Council of Institutional Investors describes proxy access as its "number one priority" in a letter to the Commission.

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Community Development Financial Institutions Anticipate Expanding Services
Mark Pinsky of Opportunity Finance Network talks with SocialFunds.com about the challenges and opportunities of providing financial products and services to low-income communities over the next 15 years.

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Shareowners Pressure Smucker's on Climate Change
Noting insufficient attention to the impact of climate change in the company's sustainability report, Calvert Investments and Trillium Asset Management call for a report on social and environmental risks to its coffee business.

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The Conference Board Forms Committee on Corporate Political Spending
After collaborating last year with the Center for Political Accountability on a Handbook on Corporate Political Activity, the Board seeks to educate its member businesses on the issue in advance of the 2012 elections.

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Investors Call for Improved Governance at News Corp
In the aftermath of phone hacking and bribery scandals at the media company, members of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility call for separation of Chair and CEO positions and elimination of dual-class stock structure.

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Community Development Banks: Too Important to Fail
The National Community Investment Fund reports that the risks and returns of Community Development Banking Institutions are similar to traditional banks, but that they have far greater social impact.

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Wealth Gaps Between Whites and Minorities at Record Levels
A new study from the Pew Research Center confirms that the recession has had a far greater impact on Blacks and Hispanics than on Whites.

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Is the Carbon Bubble About to Burst?
The Carbon Tracker Initiative finds that if global warming is to be contained, 80% of fossil fuels must remain unburned, leaving asset owners with holdings in the fossil fuels industries at risk.

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What Is the Real Social Cost of Carbon?
A new report from the Economics for Equity and the Environment Network argues that the figures arrived at by the US government are far too low, and that climate change mitigation is far less expensive than climate damage.

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UKSIF Reflects on Twenty Years of Growth in Sustainable Investment
A report issued by the organization celebrates the growth of sustainable investment in the UK to $1.5 trillion, while acknowledging that more needs to be done to meet national emissions reduction and renewable energy goals.

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Shareowners Amend Lawsuit Against News Corporation
In an amended lawsuit, Amalgamated Bank argues that ineffective oversight by a board that has consistently been given an F rating by GovernanceMetrics International contributed to the phone hacking scandal now engulfing the company

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EPA Finalizes Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
The rule covers emissions in 27 states in the eastern US and is expected to save as much as $280 billion a year in health and environmental costs.

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From ICCR, Fewer Shareowner Resolutions but More Effective Engagement
SocialFunds.com talks with Executive Director Laura Berry about the 2011 proxy season and her reasons for optimism over engagement with corporations.

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Risk Management in Water-Intensive Sectors Insufficient
EIRIS reports on corporate responses to water scarcity, finding that most demonstrate limited or no evidence of taking action to mitigate water risks.

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Layne Christensen Publishes First Sustainability Report
Despite rebuffing efforts by Walden Asset Management to engage on the issue, the company recommended a vote in favor of a resolution calling for sustainability reporting, and publishes a first report that is informed by Global Reporting Initiative guidelines.

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Initiative Aims to Standardize Ratings of Corporate Social Responsibility
Ceres and Tellus Institute announce the launch of the Global Initiative for Sustainability Ratings, which aims to provide a single standard for rating the sustainability performance of companies.

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Global Emissions Reach Record High in 2010
The International Energy Agency finds that, following a decline in global emissions in 2009, they increased by five percent over the previous record year, adding to the challenge of meeting reduction goals established at Cancun last year.

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Shareowner Pressure on Hydraulic Fracturing Intensifies
Resolutions addressing the issue at Chevron and ExxonMobil, co-filed by As You Sow and other sustainable investors, win substantial shareowner support, and Ultra Petroleum declines to release results of vote at its annual meeting.

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National Association of Manufacturers Board Members Asked to Clarify Their Positions on Climate Change
A coalition of investors points out misalignment between the climate change positions of 43 corporations and that of the trade association on whose board they sit, and asks for clarification.

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Decades of Shareowner Engagement with Tobacco Companies Yield Mixed Results
SocialFunds.com talks with Reverend Michael Crosby, an ICCR member who since 1980 has filed shareowner resolutions addressing health issues, marketing tobacco products to children, and human and labor rights for tobacco farmworkers.

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Should Goldman Sachs Face Criminal Charges?
The report on the financial crisis by the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations details how the investment bank created conflicts of interest by profiting from the financial products that caused losses for its clients, and urges regulators to consider possible violations of law.

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Citi Adds ESG Cash Collateral Management Option to Securities Lending
The bank partners with Sustainalytics to provide a sustainable investment option for its securities lending cash collateral investment program.

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How Companies Should Respond to ESG-Related Shareowner Resolutions
Ernst & Young publishes a white paper that traces the increase in resolutions addressing environmental, social, and corporate governance issues, and advises companies to recognize the link between sustainability and financial performance.

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BP to Pay $85 Million for Oil Spills in Alaska
The company agrees to pay $25 million in civil penalties and $60 million for pipeline improvements after "gross negligence" led to spills of more than 5,000 barrels of oil on Alaska's North Slope in 2006.

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Institutional Shareowners Debate Corporate Governance
In a panel discussion held during the Milken Institute Global Conference, hot topics such as executive compensation, board diversity, and government regulation are addressed.

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FTSE and EIRIS Launch Ratings of Corporate ESG Performance
The Ratings build upon ten years of collaboration on the FTSE4Good Index Series, and aim to provide institutional investors with a system for measuring the ESG practices of public companies.

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Report Finds Support for ESG Benefits over Long Term
A new report by risklab anticipates a renewed investor focus on growth assets, and finds that consideration of environmental, social, and corporate governance factors can lead to substantially reduced risks.

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Proxy Season Opens for Big Banks
At Citigroup, resolutions calling for an independent audit of foreclosure practices and the restoration of confidence in the financial system receive shareowner support.

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Even After Gulf Disaster, Engagement on Deepwater Drilling Frustrates Investors
While shareowner activists consider next steps in engagement with BP, industry responses to a letter from Ceres indicates resistance to an independent safety organization. Second of a two-part series.

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Inside BP's Annual General Meeting
One year after the oil spill, BP's annual meeting draws protests from Gulf Coast residents as well as a campaign by sustainable investors to vote against the company's annual report. First of a two-part series.

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Definitions May Vary, but Sustainable Investment Can Outperform
A review of recent academic literature on sustainable investment by Kimberly Gladman of GovernanceMetrics International finds that incorporating environmental, social, and corporate governance factors can improve investment performance.

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Markets for Clean Technologies Continue to Grow
A report from Clean Edge compares the 2010 performance of clean-tech companies to its projections in 2001, and finds increased growth in revenues and venture capital investment.

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New Research Finds Few Companies Prepared for Effective Sustainability Management
A report by oekom research finds that while sustainable investment is growing globally, few companies are adequately prepared to measure and improve their sustainability performance.

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Delta Is First Major Airline to Sign Code to Combat Child Sex Tourism
ECPAT-USA announces that airline has joined almost 1,000 global companies in signing commitment to protect children from sexual exploitation in the travel and tourism industries.

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Underrepresentation of Women on Boards Persists
A report by GovernanceMetrics International finds that despite new legislation in several countries mandating board diversity, the percentage of women on boards has barely increased since 2009.

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Companies and Shareowners Differ on what Engagement Means
Benchmarking of views on engagement by investors and issuers finds that changes in corporate behavior is most likely when shareowners are in agreement on an issue.

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Investors Urge Oil Companies to Suspend Payments to Libya
Citing human rights risks, the Conflict Risk Network recommends that oil companies in Libya place revenue payments in a Recovery Fund in order to avoid helping the government in its attacks on civilians.

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Investors Call for Annual Votes on Executive Compensation
A coalition of 39 institutional investors responds to SEC rules governing shareowner votes on executive compensation by urging companies to support annual, rather than triennial, votes.

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Anniversary of Citizens United Commemorated with Shareowner Resolutions
Requests by NYC Pension Funds for improved disclosure of corporate political spending join resolutions filed by ICCR members, and letters to companies on the Board of the Chamber of Commerce.

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SEC Adopts Rules for Say on Pay
In accordance with the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill, the Securities and Exchange Commission issues rules on executive compensation and golden parachutes.

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Investor Coalition Withdraws Resolution at BP
The resolution, which called for improved risk management and disclosure by the company responsible for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, is withdrawn to give BP more time to demonstrate improvement.

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Financial Sector Is Unprepared to Assess Risks of Climate Change
A survey of financial institutions indicates that while they expect to incorporate climate risks into their business practices, information at present is insufficient.

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Barriers Continue to Challenge Investment for Poverty Alleviation
Based on two years of research, a report by Oxfam International encourages engagement by investors to improve corporate reporting, and recommends that governments require companies to report on social issues.

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Organizations Decry Canadian Tar Sands Development by European Companies
The UK Tar Sands Network leads an effort to call attention to a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement that could open Europe up to imports of tar sands oil.

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Oil Spill Commission Submits Final Report
The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling identified failures of corporate governance by BP and its contractors, and strongly recommends rigorous legislative and regulatory oversight.

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Shareowners Ask Hotels to Help Prevent Human Trafficking at Super Bowl
An investor coalition led by Christian Brothers Investment Services requests that hotels take steps to ensure that they are not inadvertently promoting human trafficking.

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Smaller Companies Lagging in Climate Change Reporting
A report by Pax World and Clean Air-Cool Planet finds that only four of the Russell 2000 small- to mid-cap companies studied report their greenhouse gas emissions.

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EU Will Meet Renewable Energy Targets for 2020
An analysis by the European Wind Energy Association finds that just over 20% of the European Union's energy consumption will be provided by renewable sources by 2020.

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Advance Chapter of Report on Gulf Disaster Is Released
The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling finds that the Deepwater Horizon explosion was caused by failures of management, and asserts that the root causes were systemic.

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Executive Compensation on Wall Street Remains Focused on Short Term
A report by the Council of Institutional Investors concludes that compensation packages on Wall Street contributed to the financial crisis, and that current pay practices are even worse.

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Efforts of US Homebuilders to Address Climate Change are Insufficient
A report by Calvert finds inadequate disclosure on the environment by homebuilders, but also notes improvements by the industry in adopting energy efficiency measures.

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Investors Testify Before Congress on Sudan
Eric Cohen of Investors Against Genocide and Adam Kanzer of Domini Social Investments speak before the House of Representatives on divestment from Sudan.

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Shareowners Launch Campaign Against Corporate Political Spending
Investors call for board oversight and disclosure of all political spending by corporations.

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2010 Moskowitz Prize is Awarded to Researchers from the European Center for Corporate Engagement
Authors Bauer and Hann receive the annual prize for quantitative research in sustainable investing for their study on the effects of corporate environmental management on the cost of debt.

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As You Sow Reports on Supply Chain Compliance Programs of Apparel Companies
The report surveys the supply chain compliance programs of 15 US-based apparel companies, and finds that most have codes of conduct and audit their suppliers, but few hold senior executives responsible for improved compliance.

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CDP Water Issues First Annual Report on Corporate Water Usage
Backed by 137 institutional investors, the Carbon Disclosure Project initiative asks 302 large companies in water-dependent industry sectors to report on water usage.

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Growth in Sustainable Assets Outpaces Mainstream
The 2010 Trends Report by the Social Investment Forum finds that sustainable assets have grown by 13% since 2007, compared to less than one percent by mainstream assets.

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Despite Recession, More Companies Are Producing Sustainability Reports
PricewaterhouseCoopers publishes fourth in a series of surveys of sustainability reporting, recommending the Global Reporting Initiative and the UN Global Compact as starting points for new reporters.

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Catholic Investors Target Pornography
Christian Brothers Investment Services leads initiative to request improved transparency from major media companies that distribute pornography.

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Water Scarcity Is a Growing Risk for Public Utilities and for Investors in Municipal Bonds
A report from Ceres and Water Asset Management finds inadequate disclosure of risks by public water and electric utilities, and that rating agencies may foster wasteful consumption by ignoring risks.

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Investors Call for More Women on Boards and in Senior Management
Calvert, Pax World, and Walden Asset Management ask 54 companies for greater clarity about gender balance, and call for increased representation of women on boards and in senior management.

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Eurosif Publishes Results of Survey on Sustainable Investment in Europe
The survey finds that bonds have replaced equity as the favored asset class for sustainable investors, and overall sustainable assets under management have reached almost $7 trillion.

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Proxy Access Rules On Hold Until Court Challenge by Chamber of Commerce is Heard
Resolution of lawsuit is expected to be too late for proxy access rules to be implemented for 2011 proxy season.

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Human Trafficking Bill Becomes Law in California
Companies doing business in the state will now be required to disclose whether they have policies addressing human trafficking in their supply chains.

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Largest US Companies Report Board-Level Responsibility for ESG Issues
A report by Calvert and The Corporate Library find significantly less board oversight in smaller companies, and few boards that address risk management and stakeholder engagement.

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Investors Call for Passage of California Legislation Addressing Human Trafficking
Governor Schwarzenegger has until the end of September to sign SB 657, which requires companies operating in California to disclose policies addressing human trafficking in supply chains.

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CEOs at Firms with Most Layoffs Earn More than the S&P 500 Average
A report from the Institute for Policy Studies finds pay disparity greatest at companies that have laid off the most employees.

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European Companies Violate International Labor Standards in US Operations
A new report from Human Rights Watch finds that despite publicly stated commitments to international standards, European companies operating in the US often exploit weak US laws to discourage workers' freedom of association.

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Leading Companies are Not Waiting for Climate Change Legislation
A new report from the Carbon Disclosure Project details the risks and opportunities for business from climate change impacts, and highlights the innovations of leading companies.

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New Initiative Seeks to Mandate Integrated Reporting by Companies
Janet Ranganathan of the World Resources Institute speaks with SocialFunds.com about the International Integrated Reporting Committee's efforts to include sustainability issues in financial reports.

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South Africa Proposes Code for Sustainable Investment by Institutional Investors
If adopted, South Africa will become only the second country to require attention to environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) by institutional investors.

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Transport Sector Lags in Addressing Climate Change
A report from the Carbon Disclosure Project finds that despite being a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, the transport sector lags in setting reduction targets and recognizing risks and opportunities.

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Investors Urge US to Support Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Calvert and the Indigenous Peoples Working Group of the Social Investment Forum encourage the US State Department in its reconsideration of the 2007 vote against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

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Investors Lead Way on Climate Change As Senate Fails to Act
The US Senate abandons effort to pass meaningful legislation in a year when climate change-related shareowner resolutions attract widespread support.

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Investors Address Human Rights in Electronics Supply Chains
In the aftermath of suicides at the Foxconn manufacturing plant in China, an investor coalition asks for improved conditions for workers.

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Will 2011 Be a Watershed Year for Corporate Governance?
SocialFunds.com talks with James McRitchie of Corpgov.net about corporate governance and the 2010 proxy season. Third of a three-part series.

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UN Global Compact and the Global Reporting Initiative Join to Promote Corporate Sustainability
The Global Compact will adopt the GRI's Sustainability Reporting Guidelines as its recommended reporting framework, while the GRI will integrate the Global Compact's Ten Principles into its Guidelines.

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Telepresence Reduces Emissions While Providing Financial Benefits
A study by the Carbon Disclosure Project finds that travel substitution through video communications technology could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2020, while saving $19 billion.

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Sustainability Investors Make Their Voices Heard on Financial Reform Legislation
As a Congressional conference committee determines the final version of legislation, the Social Investment Forum and government pension funds speak out on corporate governance and other issues.

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Attention to Corporate Governance Can Improve Investment Returns
A new study by The Corporate Library constructs a hypothetical portfolio based on its corporate governance rankings, which significantly outperforms a Russell 1000 benchmark.

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Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change Publishes Third Annual Investor Statement on Climate Change
The European-based forum for collaboration on climate change reports increased attention to climate change by investors, but find that few integrate climate change into Investment Manager Agreements.

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Foxconn Suicides Lead to Scrutiny of Supply Chain Management
Contract manufacturer for such electronics companies as Apple and HP faces questions about its labor practices in the aftermath of suicides by workers.

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UK-Based Financial Reporting Council Recommends End to Staggered Corporate Boards
The organization%146s updated UK Corporate Governance Code asserts that board accountability would be improved by annual elections of directors.

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Investors Ask Hotel Chains to Help Combat Sex Tourism During 2010 World Cup in South Africa
A letter from Christian Brothers Investment Services to hotels, asking them to help prevent the sexual exploitation of children and other human trafficking crimes, gains 300 signatories and the support of the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.

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Environmental Resolutions Continue to Gain Strong Shareowner Support
Resolutions requesting better disclosure of hydraulic fracturing win substantial support at two oil and gas companies.

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Goldman Sachs Annual Meeting a Success for Shareowner Advocacy
Several resolutions introduced by members of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility win significant shareowner support, and a resolution on say-on-pay is withdrawn.

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Despite More Widespread Adoption of Investment Policies, Banks Have Yet to Transition to Sustainable Practice
Report by BankTrack, the third in a series, finds that while that more banks have publicly available policies, most of the policies are inadequate.

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Shareowner Resolutions Target Four Companies on Oil Sands Development in Canada
International effort by shareowner activists ask BP, Shell, ConocoPhillips, and ExxonMobil to report on a multitude of risks relating to the environmentally damaging practice.

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CDP Water Disclosure Sends First-Ever Request for Information on Water Use to More Than 300 Companies
The initiative, which aims to inform investors of risks and opportunities relating to corporate water usage, has been signed by 137 financial institutions with a combined $16 trillion in assets.

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Shareowners Find Support in Congress and the SEC for Resolutions Filed in 2010
Resolutions addressing climate change and corporate governance dominate the 2010 proxy season, as proposed legislation and regulatory mandates increase attention to the issues.

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Calls for Improved Corporate ESG Reporting Span Globe
Eurosif states that ESG reporting by European companies should be mandatory, and the Social Investment Forum's Emerging Markets Disclosure Project encourages companies in emerging markets to issue sustainability reports.

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Women Are Still Underrepresented on Corporate Boards
White paper from The Corporate Library finds that board-level gender diversity is lacking, especially among smaller companies, and suggests that new SEC rules on disclosure may help improve diversity.

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More Than 60 Companies Voluntarily Adopt Annual Shareowner Votes on Executive Compensation
Companies adopting say-on-pay include many in the financial industries, and all TARP recipients mandated to do so last year; in the absence of legislation or regulations, activist shareowners file more than 70 resolutions on the issue this year.

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Forced Child Labor Remains Widespread in Cotton Fields of Uzbekistan
A report from the Environmental Justice Foundation finds that up to two million children are forced into working in Uzbekistan%146s cotton fields, and recommends that apparel retailers improve monitoring of their supply chains to ensure that forced labor is not a part of them.

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Investors File Record Number of Shareowner Resolutions on Climate Change
Organizations that have filed resolutions addressing oil sands operations, quantitative greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, and coal ash waste disposal, express strong support for SEC guidance on climate change disclosure.

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Companies Exposed to Water Risks Are Providing Investors With Too Little Data
Report from Ceres, UBS, and Bloomberg Professional finds that reporting on water risks by companies in water-intensive industry sectors is insufficient.

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Carbon Disclosure Project Publishes Second Annual Supply Chain Report
The report finds increased engagement by corporations with suppliers on climate change, and growing expectations for improved performance.

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Shareowners Are Urged to Press Companies to Link Compensation with ESG Factors
A Eurosif study of companies listed in the FTSE Eurofirst300 index finds that relatively few European companies link executive compensation to ESG performance, with financial institutions lagging behind all other sectors.

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SEC Ruling on Proxy Disclosure Is Likely to Lead to Increased Shareowner Activism
An overview by the Corporate Library details some of the possible effects of the ruling on shareowner actions in what could shape up to be a critically important proxy season.

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Report Links Effective Corporate Sustainability Reporting to Presence of Key Performance Indicators
Based on his survey of prominent investors and analysts, Dr. Axel Hesse of Sustainable Development Management develops key performance indicators for sustainability that should be included in corporate reporting.

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SEC Issues Guidance for Corporate Reporting on Climate Change
The decision, which directs companies to disclose business risks and opportunities associated with climate change, is welcomed by investors who have been calling for such guidance for years.

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Most Socially Responsible Mutual Funds Outperformed Benchmarks in 2009
A study of mutual funds managed by members of the Social Investment Forum finds that two-thirds outperformed their benchmarks across nearly all asset classes in 2009, and most large cap funds outperformed the S&P 500 over three and 10 years.

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Canadian Tar Sands Are Target of Shareowner Resolution at Shell
Coalition of investors successfully files a resolution addressing the financial, environmental, and reputational risks of Shell's oil extraction from Canadian tar sands.

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Investors Call on Governments to Act on Climate Change Now
Investor groups attending the 2010 Investor Summit on Climate Risk at the UN endorse a statement calling for climate change policies that encourage private investment.

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