Dutch investors prepared to forgo on returns to support ESG causes
Almost three quarters of Dutch investors are prepared to miss out on part of potential investment returns in order to support ESG considerations, a survey has suggested. The survey of more than 1,100 people – carried out by DirectResearch and commissioned by ING and NN Investment Partners – found that almost one in five would accept a 4 percent lower return if their investments benefited the environment and society. The research bureau concluded that the findings provided new proof that sustainable investing was developing rapidly from a niche market to mainstream, “as only a few years ago surveys suggested that Dutch investors were hardly interested in sustainability criteria”. (IPE)
Transparency
Fashion Transparency Index Brazil 2018 released by Fashion Revolution
A review of 20 of the biggest Brazilian fashion brands and retailers ranked according to how much they disclose about their social and environmental policies, practices and impact to create greater accountability has been published. The first edition of the Fashion Transparency Index Brazil follows the global Fashion Transparency Index, launched annually and initially in 2016. The overall average score amongst the 20 brands and retailers is 17 percent or 42 out of 250 total possible points, showing there is still a long way to go towards transparency. However, current results for the 4 companies that already participated in the 2017 global index – C&A, Casas Pernambucanas, Renner and Zara – show an average growth of 38 percent in their level of transparency this year. (Business & Human Rights)
Supply Chain
Walmart sets blockchain mandate for salad suppliers
After almost two years of pilot projects in the United States and China conducted in collaboration with IBM and others, in late September, the world’s largest company put “fresh leafy greens” suppliers on notice that they have until early next 2019 to start getting on board with its burgeoning blockchain-based data platform. The new Walmart Food Traceability Initiative, announced with a letter sent by four senior executives, will require direct suppliers to start collecting information (such as field locations and harvest times) and uploading it to the IBM Food Trust Network by Jan 31 2019. Suppliers that source the produce from third parties have until the end of September 2019 to draw those partners into the initiative. (BusinessGreen)
Climate Change
EU lawmakers support 55% emission cuts as IPCC spectre lurks
Members of the European Parliament voted on Wednesday (10 October) in favour of increasing the EU’s Paris Agreement emissions pledge by 2020. They also urged the European Commission to make sure its long-term climate strategy models net-zero emissions for 2050 “at the latest”. The parliament’s environment committee decided in its COP24 resolution that the EU should reconsider its greenhouse gas emissions reduction pledge for 2030, currently fixed at 40 percent, and bump it up to “at least 55 percent”. The vote follows the release of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) landmark report on the effects of global warming and warned that temperatures are currently on track to rise by 3C by century’s end. (Climate Change News)
ExxonMobil gives $1 million to campaign for a carbon tax
ExxonMobil, the largest US oil group, is giving $1 million to support a US campaign to address the threat of climate change by introducing a carbon tax, which would return revenues to the public in dividend payments. It is the first large oil company to support the campaign, which is seeking bipartisan support for its plan to put a relatively high price on carbon while abolishing existing regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. Exxon will give the $1 million to the campaign over two years. Last month the company joined the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, a group of leading international companies including Royal Dutch Shell, BP and Saudi Aramco, which has pledged to support the Paris climate agreement and is funding technologies for reducing emissions. (Financial Times*)
*Subscription required
External Event
3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands – The Long View
23-25th October | Maryland, USA
With the theme Brands Taking Stands – The Long View, 3BL Forum features engaging sessions with 50+ speakers, interactive “issues tables” for peer-to-peer discussion, the annual CR Magazine awards dinner to honor the Responsible CEO of the Year. This year’s Forum will also include a Town Hall on Brands Taking Stands: A Moment or a Movement? with journalists from the Los Angeles Times and NPR and leaders from MSL U.S., Univision, and National Basketball Players Association Foundation.
3BL Forum will showcase corporate voices on bridging the divide between investor relations and corporate responsibility, and the “why” and “how” as companies seek to align their purpose, values and voice.
Register now quoting CORPCITIZENSHIP2018VIP for 25% off your ticket.
External Event
Charity Film Awards 2019
Entries are now open for charities to showcase their campaign videos that have empowered, inspired and engaged audiences to do good and change the world. The Charity Film Awards support and champions charities through celebrating the success of film in fundraising, encouraging donations for good causes.
COMMENTS