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Sustainalytics Partners with Newsweek for 2011 Green Rankings
Sustainalytics is proud to be working with NEWSWEEK on its annual Green Rankings. Since 2009 the Green Rankings list has assessed the environmental performance, management and disclosure of the world's largest companies. The list consists of the U.S. 500 and Global 500 companies which includes the largest publicly traded companies in developed and emerging markets. This year's list will hit newsstands October 17. Follow the link to learn more about this year's Green Rankings.
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Analysts' Insights
Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi: The Rivalry Continues
Gurneesh Bhandal
 | Gurneesh Bhandal
Analyst |
The Coca-Cola Company was recently excluded from the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, while PepsiCo was not only added to the list, but also named a "supersector leader." The decision is in line with Sustainalytics' assessment. Both companies, the largest among their peers with an unmatched global brand presence, have some of the best practices in terms of social and environmental policies, programs and targets. So what sets PepsiCo apart from The Coca-Cola Company? The answer lies in the extent to which these companies have effectively put policies into practice and integrated sustainability into their day-to-day operations.
PepsiCo has a strong environmental policy and corresponding environmental management system, and has established company-wide programs and targets for the reduction of energy, water and fuel by 2015. Lead by CEO Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo's "Performance with Purpose" strategy has brought key environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, such as labour relations, responsible sourcing, environmental management, and community development, to the forefront of the company's philosophy, setting it apart. With strong leadership and governance of ESG issues at the highest level, the company has managed its impacts more effectively than its rival.
The Coco-Cola Company also has environmental and social policies in place, some of them even stronger than PepsiCo's; however, the company has lagged in the effective implementation of these policies. This is evidenced by significant labour-related controversies in Turkey, Colombia, Guatemala and Pakistan; product quality issues in the U.S. and China; and groundwater pollution allegations in India. Such controversies raise questions about the company's ability to effectively manage the ESG risks at its own operations as well as in its supply chain, which, given its global network, is a significant concern. In India, the company has denied allegations of pollution and has dismissed an expert panel's recommendation that it pay USD 47 million in compensation to the state.
PepsiCo is not a perfect company, and it too faces similar controversies; but the breadth, frequency and severity of Coca-Cola's controversies and the company's sometimes dismissive approach to very serious allegations are causing it to fall behind in this new competitive space between the long-standing rivals.
For more information on Sustainalytics' company profiles and rating, please contact one of our sales representatives. For more information on either of these companies, please contact your account manager.
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Product Spotlight
Industry Reports
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Sample industry report
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This month we launched Industry Reports on our research platform. These reports provide an overview of the trends and challenges companies face within their sectors. They identify industry leaders and laggards, and outline best practices surrounding key performance indicators. To learn more about our industry report or for a free sample report, please visit
www.sustainalytics.com/industry-reports.
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Sustainalytics' Perspective
Raising the Bar on Human Rights
According to Special Representative John Ruggie's Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, both companies and states have a significant role to play in the protection of human rights. For business this is especially important because failure to address human rights issues can be costly, both financially and in terms of reputational damage. In our recent report Raising the Bar on Human Rights: What the Ruggie Principles Mean for Responsible Investors, Daan Schoemaker, a Sustainalytics analyst who specializes in human rights issues, outlines the tenets of the Ruggie principles and examines how their adoption by companies is ultimately beneficial to investors.
Sustainalytics talks about emerging technologies
Analyst Stephanie LeNguyen will speak at UKSIF's October seminar entitled Responsible Innovation. She will join other analysts in discussing the risks and opportunities facing responsible investors interested in emerging technology such as nanotechnology.
In case you missed it...
Our latest research report is online. Fracking Under Pressure examines the environmental and social impacts of shale gas exploration and hydraulic fracturing and discusses what it all means for concerned stakeholders. This report is the first in a series on unconventional fossil fuel development.
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Grand Challenges Canada
Support Sustainalytics' Proposal
Sustainalytics has partnered with the Access to Medicine Foundation in an effort to get a new corporate ranking initiative off of the ground. The issue at stake here is access to safe, effective and appropriate medical devices related to child birth.
In order to provide seed funding for a feasibility study we have applied to the Canadian Rising Stars in Global Health competition. The competition will choose approximately 20 new ideas to fund. Part of their selection process will be based upon public opinion. Please help us by watching Sustainalytics' video, "The Access to Medical Devices Ranking" featuring Michael Jantzi, and 'like' it to support our bid.
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Meet Sustainalytics in your Region 
ODDO Roadshow (INVITATION ONLY)
10-27 October, 2011
Europe & North America
UNEP FI Global Roundtable
19-20 October, 2011
Washington, D.C.
TBLI Conference Europe 2011
10-11 November, 2011
London, UK
To view more events, click here. |
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Sustainalytics in the Media
Michael Jantzi is one of 2012 Canada's Clean50
Sustainalytics CEO Michael has been named one of Canada's 2012 Clean50. This award honours outstanding contributors to sustainable development and clean capitalism in Canada. The 2012 Clean 16 were featured in the most recent issue of Corporate Knight's magazine.
SRI and Emerging Markets
Lotte Griek, Interim Manager of our Romanian office, shares her insights on SRI in Emerging Markets.
Read her interview here.
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Inside Sustainalytics
Happy Anniversary!
September 2011 marks the two year anniversary of Sustainalytics global expansion. Since the merger the firm has grown quickly. New offices were opened in Boston, USA, Paris, France and Timisoara, Romania. In addition, a new representative was posted in Copenhagen, Denmark to provide guidance to responsible investors in the Nordic region.
To celebrate our successes and serve our clients better we will roll out a new look at Sustainalytics.com this fall. Our international sites will be launched in early 2012.
Sustainalytics Launches New Strategic Partnership in Korea
We are pleased to announce that Sustainalytics has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Sustinvest, Korea's leading responsible investment research and consulting firm.
To learn more, read the full press release.
US SIF Board Election
Darragh Gallant, Sustainalytics' Managing Director, U.S., is running for a seat on the US SIF board of directors. On October 18, US SIF is hosting a "Get to Know the Candidates" teleconference (open to members only). If you're eligible to vote, we hope that you will show support for Darragh.
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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 |
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| | Sustainalytics voted Best ESG Research House by IPE/TBLI Group |
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. The firm is headquartered in Amsterdam with local offices in Boston, Frankfurt, Madrid, Paris, Timisoara and Toronto; and with representatives in Brussels and Copenhagen. |
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