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A look back on the year that was
2011 was a year marked by incredible growth in the responsible investment market. The Principles for Responsible Investment now boasts more than 950 signatories that are committed to promoting and implementing RI. Here at Sustainalytics we've also continued to grow with new staff in Denmark, Romania, and France. We've extended our reach through our various business partnerships, most notably with Korea's Sustinvest and global index provider STOXX. Our research partnerships included collaborations with ODDO Securities and Newsweek.
In 2012 we will celebrate 20 years in responsible investment. The new year will bring continued innovations in our client solutions and new opportunities to deliver high quality and trusted ESG research and analysis.
To all of our friends and clients, thank you for your continued trust and support. We look forward to working with you in the new year.
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Analysts' Insights
Research on the Road: Royal Dutch Shell Field Trip
Dayna Linley
 | Dayna Linley,
Associate Analyst |
Dayna Linley, Sustainalytics' global energy sector lead analyst, participated in Royal Dutch Shell's SRI field trip to Houston, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana in late November. Over the past few years Shell has invited small groups of stakeholders to view some of its operations.
This year's group of investors and analysts toured Shell's Woodcreek complex in Houston and accessed the state of the art, 24-hour Real Time Operations Centre facility, where Shell has implemented a second layer of real time, remote monitoring on 20 per cent of its drilling operations. The company began real time monitoring in 2000 and continues to expand operations and lead the industry in this technology. The group also toured Shell's brand new Drilling Automation and Remote Technology centre, which launched in 2011 and is designed to increase safety, quality and efficiency on drilling sites. After a Q&A session with several executive vice presidents, the group was off to Shreveport to observe a shale gas drilling rig, a hydraulic fracturing operation and a producing shale gas site in the Haynesville Shale.
Shell's representatives and contractors were transparent and candid while talking about the company's operations. Sustainalytics clearly observed how Shell is adhering to best practices at these operations and where there is room for improvement. As a responsible investment research firm, we are encouraged to see a company like Royal Dutch Shell invite interested stakeholder to observe, ask questions, and in the end, make truly informed decisions and assessments.
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Product Spotlight
Sustainalytics' Occupied Territories Involvement Report
The Sustainalytics Occupied Territories Involvement Report informs institutional investors of the potential risks of investing in companies operating in the Occupied Territories (the West Bank, Gaza, and the Golan Heights). The report can help responsible investors identify targets for further engagement or divestment by outlining each company's involvement in Occupied Territories as well as whether it has been the target of NGO or civil society campaigns. Each company is given an overall controversy rating based on three dimensions: company involvement, public scrutiny and company response.
Civil society groups are increasingly targeting companies with involvement in the Occupied Territories for boycott, lawsuits, and advocacy campaigns. Alongside the significant reputational risks, companies involved in the Occupied Territories also face risks relating to complicity in human rights violations. Responsible investors wanting to mitigate those risks need to know which of their investments are involved in Occupied Territories and to what extent.
To learn more about our suite of country involvement research (Occupied Territories, Sudan and Iran), please contact one of our institutional relations advisers.
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Sustainalytics' Perspective
License to Operate: Indigenous Relations and FPIC in the Mining Industry
Increasingly, the rights of indigenous people to participate in decisions affecting their land and resources are being recognized by development agencies, governments and companies alike. In License to Operate: Indigenous Relations and Free, Prior and Informed Consent in the Mining Industry, Sustainalytics senior analyst and mining sector specialist Irene Sosa discusses some of the challenges to implementing FPIC and the extent to which the mining industry has endorsed the concept. She also outlines the key tools and practices that companies can implement to consult with and benefit indigenous people, and which can move a relationship in the direction of FPIC.
Sustainable Mobility: 100 Investment Ideas
Sustainalytics recently examined the drivers and trends that will likely offer investment opportunities in the coming decades in Sustainable Mobility: 100 Investment Ideas. Conducted in collaboration with ODDO Securities, France's leading independent broker, the study also outlines some innovative investment ideas in North America, Europe and emerging markets. It provides investors with relevant insights into mobility and a glimpse of what the industry has in store for the future.
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Inside Sustainalytics
 | Darragh Gallant
Managing Director, U.S. |
Congratulations to Darragh Gallant, on being named to US SIF board!
On November 15, Managing Director, Sustainalytics U.S. and Director, Institutional Relations North America, Darragh Gallant was elected to the board of directors for US SIF and US SIF Foundation. Darragh is already heavily involved in promoting responsible investing and the development of the industry through her involvement in the SIRAN Steering Committee and the SRI in the Rockies conference committee. "I'm very proud to be a part of the US SIF board and its mission to bring ESG considerations and responsible investing into the mainstream," said Darragh. She will serve three years on the board. To learn more about Darragh, please visit our Team page at www.sustainalytics.com/team.
Check out the new Sustainalytics.com
As promised, we've launched a new look for Sustainalytics.com. Along with an updated look, the site offers simpler navigation and easier to access information. Click here to see what's new or visit www.sustainalytics.com to explore.
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Meet Sustainalytics in your Region
Rabobank "Made In Benelux" SRI Conference
14 December, 2011
London, England
Inside ETF's Conference
22-24 January, 2012
Hollywood, FL, USA
Responsible Investment Summit
31 January, 2012
Brussels, Belgium
To view more events, click here. |
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Sustainalytics in the Media
Russell Investments names Sustainalytics as ESG research provider
Russell Investments, the independent financial services firm, recently announced the appointment of Sustainalytics to provide stock-level ESG information to support analysis of its funds and client portfolios. To read the full press release, click here.
IDB releases ESG survey of Latin American and Caribbean banks
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) released the first regional environmental, social and governance survey of banks in Latin America and the Caribbean. Sustainalytics provided ratings of the 55 financial institutions surveyed. Although banks in Latin America and the Caribbean have strong standards for corporate governance, there is still room for improvement in their environmental and social sustainability. To read the press release, please click here.
2011 Green Rankings released
Newsweek released its highly anticipated 2011 Green Rankings. With research provided by Sustainalytics and Trucost, the list highlighted the top environmental performers among the 500 largest U.S. and international companies. Top ranking companies included IBM and German reinsurer Munich Re. For the full list of companies, click here.
CEO Michael Jantzi and research manager Annie White recently spoke to South Korea's TBS efm radio about the Green Rankings and their importance (listen here).
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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 2010 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 2010 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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