Welcome to the EIRIS responsible investment blog. Get our perspectives on the latest trends and developments in responsible investment and corporate social responsibility.
By Josh Brewer on 25 April 2012 | 4:42 pm
On the 24 April 2012 the US government filed the first criminal charges in connection with the 2010 accident at the BP oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. A former BP engineer has been charged with deliberately destroying evidence about the scale of the oil spill.
Two years ago on 20 April 2010 the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded, caught fire and then sank, killing 11 workers and seriously injuring several others. Read more >
By Virginia Jennings on 15 March 2012 | 11:27 am
A recent roundtable for investors organised by Christian Aid (in association with the EIRIS Foundation) explored the case for considering corporate performance on taxation grounds in investment analysis.
On the one hand it could be argued that minimising tax is in shareholders’ financial interests; on the other hand, tax avoidance could pose reputational, Read more >
By Molly Betournay on 7 March 2012 | 5:42 pm
While most investors would likely agree that a diverse board of directors make better decisions, investors tend to have different opinions about the types of diversity that are most important. Diversity in the context of director qualifications can encompass a broad array of features including gender, ethnicity, education, background and experience.
While inclusion of all types is important to effective leadership, International Women’s Day (8th March) Read more >
By Mark Robertson on 19 January 2012 | 2:00 pm
It’s almost 30 years since EIRIS was established as the UK’s first independent research service for ethical investors in 1983. A year later, Friends Provident launched the Stewardship Fund – the UK’s first ethical unit trust – with EIRIS research.
Since then a huge amount has changed. The number of UK green and ethical funds has grown to over a hundred, Read more >
By Kazutaka Kuroda on 22 December 2011 | 12:00 pm
Increased levels of accountability and transparency are needed if Japanese companies are to attract long-term shareholders.
The scandal to hit Olympus has heightened investor’s concerns over standards of corporate governance in Japan. Read more >
By Mark Robertson on 7 December 2011 | 4:25 pm
Last week marked the thirteenth World AIDS Day which aims to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS around the world. It’s 30 years since the virus was first identified and globally an estimated 33.3 million people now have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
HIV/AIDS is a condition which affects people of all ages, particularly young adults aged between 14 and 45 who represent one of the most economically productive portions of the population. Read more >
By Virginia Jennings on 2 December 2011 | 2:34 pm
In the past, poor corporate performance on farm animal welfare grounds led some ethically-motivated investors to screen out companies, but responsible investors are increasingly becoming aware of the link between farm animal welfare and financial value, as apparent from a recent UKSIF investor analyst seminar on farm animal welfare.
Animal welfare organisations have long campaigned over the treatment of animals used in food production - the conditions in which they are kept, mutilations, how they are transported, Read more >
By Rachel Withey on 7 November 2011 | 12:41 pm
EIRIS welcomes the launch of the Charity Commission’s new investment guidance for Charities – CC14.
In responding to the consultation on the new CC14 guidance earlier this year, EIRIS highlighted the potential reputational risks which can arise for those charities which do not invest in line with their mission. Read more >
