MULTIPLE PUSH FOR BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY IN HONG KONG
Hong Kong's legislative body recently passed a motion encouraging the Hong Kong government to partner with private and NGO organisations to educate, publicise and implement corporate social and environmental responsibility in the Special Administrative Region.
http://www.asria.org/ref/library/csrguidelines/1082083337
Meanwhile the Business Environment Council (BEC) has been busy. A few days ago on 23 April, they launched THE HONG KONG BUSINESS GUIDE TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT the first comprehensive, bilingual, web-based information platform in Hong Kong to promote the business benefits of embracing sustainable development. The Guide provides business tools, references and case studies to help companies improve their performance.
http://203.129.88.105/BEC/sd-guide/e_home.php
BEC has also launched the 2004 HONG KONG AWARDS FOR INDUSTRY IN ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE. Open to Hong Kong based companies, this award scheme recognises environmental achievements and also gives valuable feedback to entrants during the assessment process. Applications close on 21st May 2004.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1082096833
LAUNCH OF NEW JAPANESE SRI FUND
ASrIA member Daiwa Securities will soon launch a new fund for Japanese investors. Other than considering environmental and social concerns, the Daiwa SRI fund also uses the unique Japanese CSR standard ECS2000 (ethics compliance management system).
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1082965872/
WIDE DISPARITY IN CORPORATE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE ACROSS EAST ASIA
A survey released by ASrIA member Kingsway Fund Management assessing the social, environmental, and corporate governance performance of 138 companies in 8 East Asian countries (ex-Japan) found that cultural norms, government policy, and level of economic development produced widely disparate results.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1080011147
CSR WORKSHOP ON SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FINANCE, KOREA, 30 APRIL
Following the success of Korea's first international SRI conference in June 2003, this workshop will continue to build up the general consensus on the role and opportunities of financial institutions on sustainable development in Korea. The event is organised by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Graduate School of Management together with CSR consultancy and ASrIA member Eco-Frontier, Finance Forum-Vision of the 21st Century, and Economy 21 magazine.
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1082953440/
MAKING MONEY FROM CARBON EMISSION REDUCTIONS, HONG KONG, 19 MAY
While general awareness is increasing about carbon markets and the CDM, very few people understand how these mechanisms work, especially in Asia. This one-day seminar will focus on selected investments suitable as CDM-projects and ways to secure funding for them. This event in Hong Kong, supported by ASrIA, is one of a series being run across Asia by TUV Rheinland of Germany in co-operation with DEG Bank.
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1082710819
AUSTRALIAN CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY INDEX LAUNCHED
The first index to measure corporate social responsibility in Australia was recently introduced by a group of nonprofit, media, and accounting organisations. Australia's top 150 companies have been invited to participate, and results will be published in mid-2004.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1079320685
INVESTORS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN ETHICAL FUNDS SURVEY
Macquarie University in Australia Is inviting past, present and prospective investors in ethical funds to take part in a global study of ethical investing. This study will investigate why investors are attracted to ethical managed funds, the information that investors need, and factors influencing their purchasing intentions.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1080792035
ADFIAP ANNUAL MEETING "SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FINANCE ISSUES & FUTURE DIRECTIONS", KAZAKHSTAN, 19-22 MAY
The Development Bank of Kazakhstan is hosting the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific's annual meeting. ASrIA's Executive Director Melissa Brown will chair a session on "DFIs and Socially-Responsible Investment".
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1080530150
SRI FUND MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE, TOKYO, 8-9 JULY
This conference organised by Japanese CSR consultancy, Sunrise Advisors, aims to increase dialogue between SRI investors and companies. Speakers include SRI fund managers, index providers, pension funds, corporate representatives and pension consultants.
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1082949335
