ASrIA - Press releases & notable news

FTSE100 Snapshot Reveals Mixed Performance on Corporate Social Responsibility

Global responsible investment specialists EIRIS today released research charting the progress FTSE100 companies have made on key environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues over the last five years.

Launched to mark the UK’s first ever National Ethical Investment Week, FTSE100 snapshot: Trends in ESG performance highlights the key role responsible investors can play in encouraging some of the world’s biggest companies to improve their corporate social responsibility practices.

Key findings include:

FTSE100 companies are making good progress on environmental, social and governance issues, however a minority of companies continue to demonstrate poor performance
The biggest improvements have been seen in environmental policy development, as well as human rights and supply chain management
Progress has been slower in areas such as environmental disclosure, equal opportunities and board diversity
Responsible investment, has and will continue to be, a key driver for corporate improvements in key areas such as climate change, globalisation, poverty, human rights and the environment

Stephanie Maier, Head of Research at EIRIS said: “Our analysis shows encouraging signs of improved corporate responsibility practices amongst the UK’s biggest companies. ESG issues offer both challenges and opportunities for companies. Through active engagement, responsible investors can play a key role in encouraging businesses to adopt more responsible practices, and are well placed to benefit from best practice”.

Other findings include:

Additional drivers for improved performance include continued shareholder and stakeholder pressure, increased regulation and a recognition that proactive management of ESG issues can lead to competitive advantage
Improvements in management response to CSR issues is set to continue
Investors will continue to view ESG factors as business critical risk issues which have the potential to affect shareholder value

Click here (http://www.eiris.org/files/research%20publications/ftse100snapshotmay08.pdf) to download a copy of the research


News & Events	Press releases & notable news	Printer-friendly version

News Index Search for news: Advanced Search	FTSE100 Snapshot Reveals Mixed Performance on Corporate Social Responsibility EIRIS Release Date: May 26, 2008 Global responsible investment specialists EIRIS today released research charting the progress FTSE100 companies have made on key environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues over the last five years. Launched to mark the UK’s first ever National Ethical Investment Week, FTSE100 snapshot: Trends in ESG performance highlights the key role responsible investors can play in encouraging some of the world’s biggest companies to improve their corporate social responsibility practices. Key findings include: FTSE100 companies are making good progress on environmental, social and governance issues, however a minority of companies continue to demonstrate poor performance The biggest improvements have been seen in environmental policy development, as well as human rights and supply chain management Progress has been slower in areas such as environmental disclosure, equal opportunities and board diversity Responsible investment, has and will continue to be, a key driver for corporate improvements in key areas such as climate change, globalisation, poverty, human rights and the environment Stephanie Maier, Head of Research at EIRIS said: “Our analysis shows encouraging signs of improved corporate responsibility practices amongst the UK’s biggest companies. ESG issues offer both challenges and opportunities for companies. Through active engagement, responsible investors can play a key role in encouraging businesses to adopt more responsible practices, and are well placed to benefit from best practice”. Other findings include: Additional drivers for improved performance include continued shareholder and stakeholder pressure, increased regulation and a recognition that proactive management of ESG issues can lead to competitive advantage Improvements in management response to CSR issues is set to continue Investors will continue to view ESG factors as business critical risk issues which have the potential to affect shareholder value Click here (http://www.eiris.org/files/research%20publications/ftse100snapshotmay08.pdf) to download a copy of the research