February 14, 2007: ASrIA E-Bulletin: Toxic Chemical - Asian Investors are At-Risk
If you have problem viewing the content of this email, please click here
ASrIA
ASrIA E-Bulletin
 

February 14, 2007

The Association for Sustainable
& Responsible Investment in Asia

 

 

Editorial

2007 feels different and this E-bulletin is a good example of what has changed. This bulletin is increasingly a chronicle of sustainability in Asia rather than a resource bank for Asians interested in sustainability. We are no longer flagging global themes of interest to Asians. Instead, we are identifying Asian events which will give people the tools they need to apply sustainability themes to a very rapidly changing local environment. For example, the suggestion that the People's Bank of China (PBOC) (Asian news 5) is looking to tighten lending policies for borrowers with bad environmental practices represents a massive sea change for a banking system which is undergoing rapid reform.

With this E-bulletin, we are also launching a new piece of research "Toxic Chemicals--Asian Investors are At-Risk." (Asian news 1 ) The report is the culmination of a three-month research process which included a range of meetings with Asian companies, government officials, researchers, community groups, and supply chain experts. It highlights the rapid growth of consumer reaction to product safety issues and the corresponding lack of preparedness by Asian governments. As a result, Asian investors have been left out in the cold with few useful tools to differentiate between leaders and laggards.

Upcoming conferences which ASrIA is supporting include the following: Corporate Social Responsibility: A Business Perspective, Kuala Lumpur, March (Conferences & Events 12), the 2nd Annual Renewable Energy Finance Forum, China, March (Conferences & Events 10), China Power & Alternative Energy Summit in Beijing, May 2007 (Conferences & Events 6), 1st Renewable Energy Finance Forum - Asia, Singapore, May (Conferences & Events 4) and the China Water Summit 2007, Shanghai, May (Conferences & Events 2).

IN THIS ISSUE:


Asian SRI News & Activities
Global SRI News & Activities

Conferences & Events

ASIAN SRI NEWS & ACTIVITIES


    1. ASrIA Publishes Toxics Report
    2. ASrIA Associate Director Vacancy
    3. Australasia's Biggest Philanthropic Trust Adopts Socially Responsible Policy
    4. DBJ: Lending for Environmentally Friendly Management Reaches 102 Billion Yen
    5. PBOC Launches Scheme to Screen Loans Against Environmental Criteria
    6. Focus on Energy and Environmental Issues in Asia's CEO Poll
    7. Daiwa Securities Group and JFS Launch 4-Year 'Sustainability College'
    8. IFC and SustainAbility Search for Emerging Markets Companies with Good ESG Practices
    9. Aspen Institute launches Chinese Business School Initiative to Help Build A "Harmonious Society"
    10. Emissions Trading Report Released in Hong Kong
    11. China's Energy Future within an International Context
    12. Oxfam Publish Report on Transparency of Hong Kong Garment Companies
    13. Report on Labour Rights in the Computer Industry in China
    14. Sign of the Times

GLOBAL SRI NEWS & ACTIVITIES


    1. FT Sustainable Banking Award Nomination Deadline - 28 February
    2. FTSE Group introduces new climate change criteria to the FTSE4Good Index Series
    3. Carbon Disclosure Project Break Through USD40 Trillion Mark
    4. Two New Studies Reflect Growing Interest in SrRI in The UK
    5. 100 Most Sustainable Corporations Announced at Davos
    6. Investment Banks Focus on Corporate Responses to Climate Change
    7. From Competition to Cooperation: Companies Collaborate on Social and Environmental Issues
    8. Internal Auditors Can Contribute to Corporate Social Responsibility
    9. Calvert Partners With Sudan Divestment Task Force
    10. Ceres, Calvert fault US Firms for Lax GHG Disclosure
    11. Social(k) Retirement Platform Embraced By Socially Conscious Companies in 2006 - Its First Year
    12. Mckinsey Ranks Harvard Business Review Article on CSR "Best for 2006"
    13. 2006 Moskowitz Prize Paper: Monitoring the Monitor: Evaluating CalPERS' Activism
    14. Goldman Sachs Awards for Market-Based Solutions to Climate Change
    15. Foundation to Provide $40,000 in Cash and Prizes to Socially Responsible Business Plans
    16. NGO Offers Banks Sustainability Advice
    17. World Monitors Announces Release of its NGO Profiler 2007
CONFERENCES & EVENTS

    1. TBLI Conference 2007
    2. China Water Summit 2007
    3. China Expo of Sustainable Development Practices
    4. 1st Renewable Energy Finance Forum - Asia
    5. Holcim Forum
    6. China Power & Alternative Energy Summit 2007
    7. 2nd South Asia Renewable Energy Conference 2007 & Renexpo Trade Fair
    8. China Water Congress 2007
    9. CSR Asia, Asian Stakeholder Forum
    10. 2nd Annual Renewable Energy Finance Forum, China
    11. GaimAsia 2007
    12. Corporate Social Responsibility : A Business Perspective


 
ASIAN SRI NEWS & ACTIVITIES
 


1. ASrIA PUBLISHS TOXICS REPORT
After a decade of global market debate about the impact of toxic chemical risks, the issue is now poised to have a more systematic impact on Asian listed companies, placing Asian investors at risk. The project have been funded by The Sigrid Rausing Trust.
http://www.asria.org/publications

2. ASrIA ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR VACANCY
ASrIA is seeking an experienced candidate for the position of Associate Director. Applicants should be versed in social, environmental, or investment issues essential to SRI analysis.
http://www.asria.org/jobs/position/1170820158

3. AUSTRALASIA'S BIGGEST PHILANTHROPIC TRUST ADOPTS SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE POLICY
Auckland-based ASB Community Trust, Australasia!|s biggest philanthropic trust has adopted a socially responsible investment policy for its billion-dollar assets.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1169001688

4. DBJ: LENDING FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MANAGEMENT REACHES 102 BILLION YEN
In the Development Bank of Japan's lending program for promoting environmentally conscious management, which started in April 2004, the bank uses its own screening system to classify applicants in terms of environmentally conscious management into four grades (including rejection). Higher ranking companies will be offered loans with more favorable conditions.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1170211040

5. PBOC LAUNCHES SCHEME TO SCREEN LOANS AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
Chinese enterprises that have poor environmental records risk being rejected for bank loans under a newly introduced nationwide credit system that factors environmental information into loan applications.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1168485894

6. FOCUS ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN ASIA'S CEO POLL
The Asia Business Council's Asian Chief Executive Perspectives Survey found that energy and environmental issues are of critical importance to the region.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1168828240

7. DAIWA SECURITIES GROUP AND JFS LAUNCH 4-YEAR 'SUSTAINABILITY COLLEGE'
The environmental NGO Japan for Sustainability (JFS) has launched a lecture program named "Daiwa-JFS Youth Sustainability College". The college is supported by donations from ASrIA member, Daiwa Securities Co. and Daiwa Asset Management Co. The amount donated is determined by the amount of net assets of the "Daiwa Eco Fund."
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1169001249

8. IFC AND SUSTAINABILITY SEARCH FOR EMERGING MARKETS COMPANIES WITH GOOD ESG PRACTICES
ASrIA members the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and SustainAbility are launching new research into companies in emerging markets. They are calling for information on emerging-market businesses that have achieved investment-grade status through good environmental, social and governance practices.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1170835999

9. ASPEN INSTITUTE LAUNCHES CHINESE BUSINESS SCHOOL INITIATIVE TO HELP BUILD A "HARMONIOUS SOCIETY"
The Aspen Institute's Business and Society Program launched the Chinese Business School Initiative at a conference in December 2006, with the mission to help China develop business leaders with the ethical frameworks, substantive knowledge and functional skills necessary to lead successful enterprises, contribute to social progress and improve environmental conditions in China.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1166411021

10. EMISSIONS TRADING REPORT RELEASED IN HONG KONG
Civic Exchange has released a new report: 'The Emissions Game - How Markets Can Help Save the Planet' commissioned by CLSA Asia Pacific Markets. The report explains how both traditional and emerging emissions trading systems work and considers how emissions trading systems could be employed in China and Hong Kong.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1170039116

11. CHINA'S ENERGY FUTURE WITHIN AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT
Civic Exchange published the summarized transcript from a forum held in October 2006 on China's Energy Future within an International Context. The guest speaker, Thomas Heller, a professor of law at Stanford Law School, was invited to discuss recent developments in China's energy markets, the status of the international regime on climate change, and prospects for a post-Kyoto climate strategy.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1168828387

12. OXFAM PUBLISH REPORT ON TRANSPARENCY OF HONG KONG GARMENT COMPANIES
In a new study titled "Transparency Report: How Hong Kong Garment Companies Can Improve Public Reporting of their Labour Standards", Oxfam Hong Kong assesses how well Hong Kong!|s top apparel companies are reporting to the public on labour standards and practices in their supply chain.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1168827280

13. REPORT ON LABOUR RIGHTS IN THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY IN CHINA
An investigation by Students and Scholars against Corporate Misbehaviour (SACOM) of 13 Shenzhen electronics factories, producing components for many well-known brand names, claimed widespread labour abuses.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1168827889

14. SIGN OF THE TIMES
Even stock tip websites for hedge fund players are now talking about China pollution plays.
http://china.seekingalpha.com/article/24079

 
GLOBAL SRI NEWS & ACTIVITIES
 


1. FT SUSTAINABLE BANKING AWARD NOMINATION DEADLINE - 28 FEBRUARY
February 28 is the deadline for entries to the 2007 FT Sustainable Banking Awards, the global awards programme for triple bottom line banking launched by the Financial Times in association with the International Finance Corporation. Asia is now a category for some of the awards and there is scope for external nominations. ASrIA founder and current board director, Tessa Tennant will be participating on the judging panel.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1169432557

2. FTSE GROUP INTRODUCES NEW CLIMATE CHANGE CRITERIA TO THE FTSE4GOOD INDEX SERIES
ASrIA member, FTSE Group (FTSE), the global index provider, takes another step forward in the area of corporate social responsibility benchmarking as it launches a new set of criteria to assess corporate performance on climate change for its FTSE4Good Index Series.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1170989169

3. CARBON DISCLOSURE PROJECT BREAKS THROUGH USD40 TRILLION MARK
The Carbon Disclosure Project, representing a group of 284 institutional investors with assets of $41 trillion under management has sent out its 5th annual request to 2,400 of the world's largest quoted companies. ASrIA will be engaged in gathering and reporting on data of 80 companies in the Asian Region.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1170834692

4. TWO NEW STUDIES REFLECT GROWING INTEREST IN SRI IN THE UK
ASrIA member EIRIS publishes two new studies. One reveals that there are now almost 90 ethical retail funds available to UK investors. The past year saw ten new ethical retail funds launched in the UK with more on the way. The second survey asserts that both SRI and mainstreams investors view specific environmental, social, and governance factors as important when applied to certain sectors.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1168913183

http://www.asria.org/news/press/1170124901

5. 100 MOST SUSTAINABLE CORPORATIONS ANNOUNCED AT DAVOS
The Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World is a project initiated by Corporate Knights Inc., with Innovest Strategic Value Advisors Inc. The 2007 Global 100 included corporations from 16 countries, including 24 from the UK, 19 from the US and 13 from Japan. A key criterion for selection was that the companies were considered the most proactive in responding to investor and other stakeholder demands for better management of risks such as climate change.
http://www.global100.org/PR_Global_2007.pdf

6. INVESTMENT BANKS FOCUS ON CORPORATE RESPONSES TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Banking giant Citigroup has produced an equity research report identifyng 74 companies in 21 industries and 18 countries that stand to benefit from efforts to tackle climate change. UBS Wealth Management and Lehman Brothers have released reports detailing how companies and individuals might be affected by global warming and what steps they can take to offset the risks.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1170386658
http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=MjI3MjE

7. FROM COMPETITION TO COOPERATION: COMPANIES COLLABORATE ON SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
A number of collaborative initiatives are bringing companies, investors, and activists together to address issues such as online freedom of expression, climate change, and labor rights in the global supply chain.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1169460689

8. INTERNAL AUDITORS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Internal auditors are taking a look at corporate social responsibility (CSR), as an area in which their expertise on risk, control, and governance can boost the public!|s confidence and trust in their organization. New studies point to need for training for internal auditors to bridge risk management, business strategy, and CSR trends.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1169538712

9. CALVERT PARTNERS WITH SUDAN DIVESTMENT TASK
ASrIA member, Calvert has formed a partnership with the Sudan Divestment Task Force (SDTF), a project of the Genocide Intervention Network, together with the Save Darfur Coalition (SDC), to assist the growing Sudan divestment campaign in the U.S., Calvert will immediately begin working with SDTF and SDC by lending its analytical expertise and offering advocacy support.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1170835217

10. CERES, CALVERT FAULT US FIRMS FOR LAX GHG DISCLOSURE
More than half of the largest US companies are doing a bad job reporting climate change to investors, according to a new report from Ceres and Calvert.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1170386976

11. SOCIAL(K) RETIREMENT PLATFORM EMBRACED BY SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS COMPANIES IN 2006 - ITS FIRST YEAR
Before 2006, most US retirement plans offered only one or two options, if any. However, Social(k) offers more than 100 screened socially responsible funds to choose from. In its first year, thirty five companies and organizations either converted their existing plan to Social(k) or began offering it in conjunction with their plan.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1169627703

12. MCKINSEY RANKS HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW ARTICLE ON CSR "BEST FOR 2006"
1st Place Winner of the McKinsey Award, Professor Michael E. Porter and Mark R. Kramer have developed a new approach to corporate social responsibility based on the interrelatedness of business and society and its implications for competitive strategy.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1170061786

13. 2006 MOSKOWITZ PRIZE PAPER: MONITORING THE MONITOR: EVALUATING CALPERS' ACTIVISM
The author finds that CalPERS' corporate governance initiatives created over $3 bn in shareholder wealth from 1992-2004. The paper reviews the theory and empirical evidence underlying the motivation for institutional activism.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1168827518

14. GOLDMAN SACHS AWARDS FOR MARKET-BASED SOLUTIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE
The Goldman Sachs Center for Environmental Markets, established in November 2005 to examine market-based solutions to environmental challenges, has awarded its first research grants. The three grants, totaling more than $2.3 million, will fund programs focused on finding market-based solutions to climate change, including examining policy options for lawmakers, market opportunities for environmental technologies, and valuation of fragile ecosystems.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1168314453

15. FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE $40,000 IN CASH AND PRIZES TO SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS PLANS
The William James Foundation announces its 4th Annual Socially Responsible Business Plan Competition. This competition supports entrepreneurs who are committed to multiple-bottom line businesses.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1169540605

16. NGO OFFERS BANKS SUSTAINABILITY ADVICE
BankTrack has published a how-to guide aimed at helping banks become more sustainable. The manual is based on the role and responsibility of banks to promote sustainability set out in the Collevecchio Declaration of 2003. According to a Bank Track member this manual shows the way forward for any bank wishing to successfully apply for next years' Sustainable Banking Awards.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1164959797

17. WORLD MONITORS ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF ITS NGO PROFILER 2007
The reference guide profiles 63 leading US and European non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on the private sector. The Guide is designed for corporations, socially responsible investors (SRIs), and corporate social responsibility (CSR) officers and provides a comprehensive summary of the policies, activities and programs of a variety of influential NGOs engaged in CSR, human rights and environmental advocacy.
http://www.asria.org/news/press/1169784265

Back to Index

 
CONFERENCES & EVENTS
 

1. TBLI CONFERENCE 2007
Bangkok, Thailand, May 24-25 2007: During the two-day event, the latest developments on screening, auditing, reporting, SRI analysis, corporate citizenship, indexes and research will be covered, with participants and speakers from six continents.
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1170838843

2. CHINA WATER SUMMIT 2007
Shanghai, China, May 24-25 2007: The summit will focus on policy reform and development, water magnates' strategies in China, water price and marketization, hi-tech and innovation in the water industry. ASrIA is an endorser of the event.
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1169095971

3. CHINA EXPO OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES
Beijing, China, May 22-27 2007: The aim of this Eco Summit is to encourage a greater integration of both the natural and social sciences with the policy and decision-making community to provide the basis developing sustainable solutions to environmental problems.
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1169785345

4. 1st RENEWABLE ENERGY FINANCE FORUM - ASIA
Singapore, 20-21 May 2007: REFF Asia will assemble leading stakeholders: regulators, financiers and investors, greenfield developers and utilities, as well as manufacturers; creating a forum for international investors to meet potential local counterparts and gain an in-depth briefing on the major challenges facing potential investors. ASrIA is an endorser of the event and Melissa Brown, ASrIAˇ¦s Executive Director, and several ASrIA members will be presenting.
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1166502824

5. HOLCIM FORUM
Shanghai, China, 19-21 April 2007: international experts will meet to advance concepts for the sustainable development of cities.
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1170838595

6. CHINA POWER & ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SUMMIT 2007
Beijing, China, May 17-18 2007: The annual summit will combine in-depth presentations with access to high level decision makers. ASrIA is an endorser of the event.
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1165287127

7. 2ND SOUTH ASIA RENEWABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE 2007 & RENEXPO TRADE FAIR
New Delhi, India, 25-26 April 2007: The conference will focus on recent technological advancements and know-how concerning non-conventional energy sources.
Conference: http://www.asria.org/news/events/1168832618
Trade Fair: http://www.asria.org/news/events/1168832215

8. CHINA WATER CONGRESS 2007
Beijing, China, April 19-20 2007: A leading water focused event will provide a range of presentations on strategies, case studies and projects. ASrIA is an endorser of the event .
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1165204637

9. CSR ASIA, ASIAN STAKEHOLDER FORUM
Bangkok, Thailand, 2 April 2007: an opportunity for open dialogue and learning among organisations who are working to address the challenges of CSR.
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1166437922

10. 2ND ANNUAL RENEWABLE ENERGY FINANCE FORUM, CHINA
Beijing, China, March 29-30 2007. Leading speakers will provide insights on China's renewable energy markets which are poised to become the biggest in the world. ASrIA is an endorser of the event.
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1166501757

11. GAIMASIA 2007
Hong Kong, 26-28 March 2007: The 3rd annual event will focuses on issues affecting the alternative investment industry in the pan-Asian environment. ASrIA former Chair Tessa Tennant will present.
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1166160184

12. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY : A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 1-2 2007: This conference aims to bring together case studies and best practices in doing business with a conscience and balancing social goals with the bottom line. ASrIA is one of the supporting partners.
http://www.asria.org/news/events/1166152232


Back to Index

  ASrIA ebulletin | ebulletin archives
  To subscribe to or unsubscribe from the ASrIA ebulletin, email the bulletin editor at bulletin@asria.org.
  
© ASrIA, 2005. This ebulletin can be quoted in part or length for non-commercial purposes, with due credit to ASrIA.