Past events
A selection of some of EIRIS' recent events can be seen below.
NGO Forum: How to work with investors
On the 29 November the EIRIS Foundation organised a one-day free forum for NGOs, particularly those with a development focus.
The forum helped NGOs to share with, and learn from, peers about effective campaign tactics to influence corporate behaviour through investment. It explored how NGOs can influence companies, either through their own investments, or through motivating their supporters to use their investments to this effect.
If you would like more information on the thoughts and outcomes from the forum please email events@eiris.org .
Integrating Sustainability Into Your Portfolio: focus group for North American Investors
This webinar discussed the philosophy behind EIRIS' Sustainability Ratings research and provided an overview of the EIRIS Sustainability Ratings service with a particular focus on the interests of North American investors. Speakers included:
- Lisa Hayles, Head of Client Services North America, EIRIS and
- Molly Betournay, Senior Research Analyst, USA, EIRIS.
If you would like to view the webinar recording or presentations, please email events@eiris.org .
Marketing Green & Ethical Investments to Gain Competitive Advantage
To listen to and to view a recorded version of the webinar, please click here.
As part of National Ethical Investment Week, on 19 October EIRIS held a webinar exploring how to market green and ethical finance to clients, with a particular focus on social media. It was aimed primarily at Independent Financial Advisers and ethical finance product providers. Speakers included:
- Kim Hawke (Strategy Director, Neo, a leading UK communications agency)
- Sarah Pennells (finance journalist and author of the book 'Green Money: How to save and invest ethically')
- Mark Robertson (Head of Communications, EIRIS and editor of YourEthicalMoney.org)
Integrating ESG Into Your Voting Strategy
On 27 September EIRIS held a webinar for investors exploring how they can comprehensively integrate ESG into voting strategies across a global portfolio.
Listeners heard from:
- Abigail Herron (Corporate Governance Manager, The Co-operative Asset Management)
- Frank Curtiss (Head of Governance, RPMI Railpen Investments)
- Stephanie Maier (Corporate Responsibility Manager, Aviva Investors) and
- Jennifer MacCarthy (Voting Manager and Senior Research Analyst, EIRIS).
Frank Curtiss explored the benefits of integrating sustainability criteria into voting
strategies. Abigail Herron and Stephanie Maier discussed how their organizations have
integrated ESG issues into their voting strategies. Discussion also focused on how to
overcome some of the challenges involved. Jennifer MacCarthy explained how EIRIS'
enhanced ESG Voting Service can support investors through all phases of their voting
activities.
If you would like to view the webinar recording or presentations, please email events@eiris.org .
Active Ownership and Stewardship for the Longterm
On 14 September EIRIS brought together thought-leaders from across the investment industry to discuss the development of active ownership and the future direction of investment stewardship.
Speakers included:
- Max von Bismarck (CEO Europe & Partner SkyBridge Capital; Senior Advisor, World Economic Forum)
- Paul Druckman (Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Prince's Accounting for Sustainability Project; Co-Chair of the Working Group of the International Integrated Reporting Committee)
- Danielle Essink-Zuiderwijk (Senior Engagement Specialist, Robeco)
- David Paterson (Head of Corporate Governance, The National Association of Pension Funds)
- Professor Dr Roel Nieuwenkamp (Director of International Trade and Globalization, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Netherlands; Chair of the Investment Committee of the Working Party for the revision of the OECD Guidelines)
- Lorenzo Saa (Head of Reporting and Assessment, Principles for Responsible Investment)
- Stephen Hine (Head of Responsible Investment Development, EIRIS)
- Giuseppe van der Helm (President, Eurosif)
- Peter Webster (Executive Director, EIRIS)
Ask the Analyst: Water - What Risks and Opportunities Exist for Investors?
On 17 August EIRIS held a webinar discussing investor opportunities and risks relating to water, starting with the findings of EIRIS' new water risk research, 'A Drought in Your Portfolio: Are Global Companies Responding to Water Scarcity?'. Speakers included: Randeep Sanghera (Research Analyst, EIRIS), Stina Torjesen (Project Manager, SIGLA) and Marthe Nordby (Client Relationship Manager, EIRIS).
To view the recording of the webinar, please click here.
Applying ESG to Sovereign Bonds
On 11 July EIRIS held a webinar exploring how the EIRIS Country Sustainability Ratings product enables investors to analyse countries and ESG issues. Speakers included Josh Brewer (Acting Head of Financials and Technology, EIRIS), Coraline Barré (SRI Analyst, Macif Gestion) and Mairead Hancock (Head of Client Services, EIRIS).
If you would like to view the webinar recording or presentations, please email events@eiris.org .
A Drought in Your Portfolio?
EIRIS held events in London and Paris to launch our new global water risk research. These events explored the investment case for considering the risks and opportunities arising from water scarcity as part of a wider sustainable investment strategy.
London Event on 7 June - speakers included:
- James Winpenny (Independent Economic Consultant and Consulting Author to UNESCO / World Water Assessment Programme)
- Daniel Yeo (Senior Analyst, WaterAid)
- Kirsty Jenkinson (Director of Markets & Enterprise, World Resources Institute)
- Lara Yacob (Senior Engagement Specialist, Robeco)
- representatives from EIRIS - Randeep Sanghera (Research Analyst) Marion de Marcillac (Client Relationship Manager), Peter Webster (Executive Director) and Stephen Hine (Head of Responsible Investment Development).
To view presentations from the event, please follow the links below:
- Randeep Sanghera and Marion de Marcillac, EIRIS - How are Global Companies Reponding to Water Scarcity? The Place of Water in Sustainable Investment
- Daniel Yeo, WaterAid - The Impact and Importance of Water
- Kirsty Jenkinson, World Resources Institute - Measuring and Mapping Water Risk
- Lara Yacob, Robeco - Water Risk Research: An Investor Perspective
Paris Event on 10 June - speakers included:
- Michel Camdessus (Ancien directeur général du Fonds monétaire international)
- Caspar von Blomberg (Managing Director, CDP Europe)
- Xavier Leflaive (Administrateur principal, Direction de l'Environnement, OCDE)
- Nicolas Fragneau (Gérant d'Amundi Funds Aqua Global, Amundi)
- Grégory Schneider-Maunoury (responsable ISR, Interexpansion / Groupe Humanis)
- representatives from EIRIS - Typhaine de Borne (Analyste) et Marion de Marcillac (Client Relationship Manager)
To view the available presentation from the event, please follow this link below:
A Platform for Dialogue: Engaging for Change
On 16 May 2011 this webinar introduced EIRIS' new engagement platform - specifically designed to help investors track, measure and report on company engagement.
Stephen Hine, Head of Responsible Investment Development, outlined EIRIS’ Engagement Service and how it can help investors actively take forward engagement with companies on ESG issues. EIRIS' Engagement Manager and Research Analyst, Sarah Williams then demonstrated the capabilities and features of the platform.
To view the recording of the webinar, please click here.
To view Stephen Hine’s presentation, please follow the link below:
Emerging Markets: ESG Risks and Opportunities
This webinar on 12 April 2011 explored the potential environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities of investing in emerging markets.
Speakers included Helena Vines Fiestas, former Policy Advisor at Oxfam, David St Maur Sheil, Director and Co-Founder of ASrIA, David Tozer, Assistant Head of Research at EIRIS and Nadia Laine, Head of Client Services, Europe at EIRIS.
To view the recording of the webinar, please click here. (Please note that due to technical issues the webinar recording starts a little way into the first presentation. You will need Windows Media Player to view.)
To view the speaker presentations, please follow these links:
- Helena Vines Fiestas - Emerging Markets presentation
- David St Maur Sheil - Investors and Emerging Markets: Issues and Trends presentation
- David Tozer - EIRIS Emerging Market Research presentation
- Nadia Laine - EIRIS products presentation
Controversial Weapons and the Law: why investors need to be informed
This webinar on 26 January 2011 set out a compelling case for why investors should be informed about controversial weapons and the law in this area.
Richard Moyes, Director of Policy & Research from Landmine Action, provided an excellent and visual introduction to the real impact of controversial weapons. Professor Nick Grief of Kent Law School and Doughty Street Chambers gave an informative overview of international law on controversial weapons and its relevance for investors.
This is followed by a presentation by David Cockburn, Senior Research Analyst at EIRIS, who outlined EIRIS’ research and criteria on controversial weapons. Finally, Victoria Woodbridge, Business Development Manager at EIRIS, provided an overview of EIRIS’ Controversial Weapons Monitor.
To view the recording of the webinar, please click here (You will need Windows Media Player installed to view the webinar):
To view the speaker presentations, please follow these links:
- Richard Moyes – Controversial Weapons presentation
- Professor Nick Grief – Investors, International Law and Controversial Weapons
- David Cockburn – EIRIS’ controversial weapons research
- Victoria Woodbridge – EIRIS’ Controversial Weapons Monitor
Additional resources on controversial weapons:
Landmine Action website:
Professor Grief at Kent Law School and Doughty Street Chambers websites:
ORSE Guidelines for institutions wishing to create a policy on controversial weapons (currently only available in French, English version forthcoming)
