|
Editorial message
As 2011 progresses, Sustainalytics continues to grow and improve to serve responsible investors across the globe. Our expansion into France will provide more options to responsible investors in the region. By forging new partnerships with index providers and engaging with the SIFs in France and Australasia (FIR and RIAA), we hope to not only build capacity, but share our knowledge and expertise. We will continue to release informative reports and briefs on topics at the forefront of responsible investing. And, as always, we remain committed to providing clients with high quality ESG research and analysis.
|
|
Analysts' Insights
Three things investors should know about nanotechnology
By Stephanie LeNguyen
 | Stephanie LeNguyen,
Analyst |
Nanotechnology is broadly defined as the manipulation of matter that is one to ten billionth of a meter. At this size matter exhibits unique physical properties that make it useful in production. Because of its benefits the use of nanotechnology in consumer goods is on the rise. It has been estimated that by 2015 more than USD 2.5 trillion worth of nanotechnology-enabled goods will be produced. Along with the increased use of nanotechnology in industrial and consumer goods comes increased concern. Here are three things we think responsible investors should know about nanotechnology.
1. With great opportunity comes risk
Nanotechnology has applications across a variety of sectors, from clean tech to pharmaceuticals to personal care products. However the size and unique physical properties that make nanoparticles so beneficial may also pose potential health and environmental risks. Investors should be cautious as the long-term effects and safety of exposure to nanotechnology and nanoparticles are unknown.
2. Consumers are exposed to a wide variety of nanotechnology-enabled goods
Companies that produce nanotechnology-enabled personal and household products face the highest risk exposure because of the direct interaction of their products with consumers. The use of nanoparticles has enabled the creation of stain-resistant clothing, anti-microbial food containers, more effective sunscreens, and more effectively targeted pharmaceuticals. However nanotechnology's widespread use despite its unknown environmental and health effects remains a concern.
3. Tools for mitigating risks
Risks faced by companies are ultimately risks faced by their investors. Companies may encounter operational and regulatory risks, and future liability costs if exposure to nanotechnology proves harmful. Failure to adequately address these risks may tarnish a company's reputation and shake consumer confidence. It is important for investors to engage with companies and demand transparency about the use of nanotechnology and the steps to mitigate related risks.
To learn more download Brave New World: Nanotechnology and Investor Risk here. |
|
Product Spotlight
Controversial Weapons Radar
Sustainalytics' Controversial Weapons Radar (CWR) is a household name among sustainable investors because of its in-depth and transparent analysis of company involvement with controversial weapons such as anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions. As a result of ongoing discussions about its controversial nature and growing interest from clients, we have expanded our CWR coverage to include white phosphorus weapons. There are currently seven companies under our radar, and we continue to conduct in-depth research.
Sustainalytics understands that responsible investors strive to enhance their defence policies and exclusion criteria to better cope with the ongoing dynamics in the sector. We provide extensive knowledge of sector developments, thus enabling our clients to make informed investment decisions.
Please contact us for more information on the Controversial Weapons Radar.
|
|
Inside Sustainalytics
 | | Antonio Celeste, Director of Institutional Relations, Paris |
Sustainalytics Welcomes...
Antonio Celeste, Director of Institutional Relations, Paris.
Antonio, who is based in Paris, will support Sustainalytics' existing clients in France and will provide responsible investors there with access to high quality global environmental, social and governance (ESG) research and analysis. In his new role at Sustainalytics, Antonio will also support clients in Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Read more here.
French Website Launched
To better serve responsible investors in France, Sustainalytics has launched its French-language website, www.sustainalytics.com/france.
New office in Timisoara, Romania
Sustainalytics has opened a new office in Timisoara, Romania and Lotte Griek, Associate Analyst, will manage the team of research analysts ensuring continued excellence in our ESG research. The analysts will be integrated into the global research products team and will focus on emerging markets-related company research, among other things. With a presence in eastern Europe Sustainalytics will leverage our local expertise and broaden our global scope to continue to provide our clients in the region and globally with in-depth sustainability research and analysis.
Our Boston Office Has Moved
Sustainalytics U.S. has a new address:
24 School Street, Suite 803
Boston, MA 02108
USA
Tel: +1.617.248.0899
For more information, please contact us.
|
|
|
Meet Sustainalytics in your Region
Sustainability Congress 2011
3-4 May, 2011
Bonn, Germany
VIII CSRAmericas
24-26 May, 2011
Asuncion, Paraguay
VerdeXchange Canada 2011
5-6 June, 2011
Toronto, ON, Canada
SIF Conference - Responsible Investing: Impact and Innovation
9-10 June, 2011
Washington, DC
SIO Annual Conference
20-23 June, 2011
Victoria, BC, Canada
To view more events, click here. |
|
Sustainalytics' Perspective
Upcoming Report on Aerospace and Defence Sector
Sustainalytics has been selected by Eurosif to write a report on the aerospace and defence sector, which will be released in June 2011. The upcoming report will highlight the environmental, social and governance challenges, risks and opportunities in the sector, plus cover industry trends and case studies.
Sustainability and Materiality in the Mining Sector
Sustainalytics will release the first of three reports investigating the link between sustainable business practices and shareholder value for companies in the natural resources sector. The first report focuses on the mining sector with reports covering the forestry and oil and gas sectors to follow in the coming months. To receive a copy of the reports when they are released, please email contact@sustainalytics.com.
|
|
Sustainalytics in the Media
The recently launched STOXX Global ESG Leaders Index is an innovative series of ESG (environmental, social, governance) indices which are based on sustainability data provided by Sustainalytics. The news was featured in Responsible Investor and on SocialFunds.com.
Sustainalytics' upcoming report Sustainability and Materiality in the Natural Resources Sector was featured on Reuters Insider. View the full video here. |
|
Tell us what you think
In a continuous effort to improve the overall quality of our newsletter, we would appreciate any feedback, ideas and/or suggestions from our readers. What would you like to see in upcoming newsletters? Share your views with us by sending an email to
contact@sustainalytics.com
|
|
About Sustainalytics
Sustainalytics is a global leader in sustainability research and analysis for investors and financial institutions, specialized in analyzing environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria for companies, institutions and countries. We provide a global perspective, underpinned by nearly 20 years of local experience and expertise in the responsible investment and traditional socially responsible investment markets. Sustainalytics is proud to be voted the Best ESG Research House of the Year by IPE/TBLI Group. Internationally, the firm operates as Sustainalytics and as Jantzi-Sustainalytics in North America. The firm is headquartered in Amsterdam with local offices in Boston, Frankfurt, Madrid, Paris, Timisoara and Toronto; and representatives in Brussels.
 | Sustainalytics voted Best ESG Research House by IPE/TBLI Group
|
|
|
