Sustainalytics Reporter Sept2012
Issue No. 11
September 2012
Sustainalytics tops IRRI 2012 survey

 

Extel & SRI-connect.comSustainalytics received high praise from responsible investors in the recent Independent Research in Responsible Investment (IRRI) survey. In addition to being named Best RI Analysis Firm, members of Sustainalytics' research and sales team were also individually recognized:

  • Best individual SRI analyst: Dayna Linley (Irene Sosa - 2nd, Laurence Loubieres - 3rd)
  • Best individual corporate governance analyst: Laurence Loubieres (Dayna Linley - 3rd)
  • Best SRI/CG sales person: Darragh Gallant (Diederik Timmer - 2nd, Antonio Celeste - 3rd).

To read more about the survey and see all of Sustainalytics' results here.

Analysts' Insights

 

Investor Risk in the South China Sea

Kirsten Boer 

  

Kirsten Boer

Kirsten Boer

Junior Analyst,

Research Products

The South China Sea is a politically contentious region in the Pacific Ocean that is of strategic importance for neighbouring countries.  It is home to over 200 small islands of the Paracel and Spratly island chains, is a major sea lane for international shipping, is a fertile fishing ground and is increasingly attractive because of its rich oil and gas resources. China, Vietnam, and the Philippines each lay claim to parts of the sea and sovereignty is hotly contested, with Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan also advancing claims. Sustainalytics analyst Kirsten Boer shares her insights on risks to those invested in oil and gas companies in the region. Read the full article. 

 

 

 

Corporate Action Alert - CNOOC Ltd. to buy Nexen Inc.: Implications for Investors
Dayna Linley, Benjamin McCarron & Sun Xi

 

China_Canada
Oil and gas sector laggard CNOOC Ltd. recently announced its bid to acquire sector leader Nexen Inc. The acquisition marks another step in China's national strategy to increase its supply of hydrocarbons. Released to clients a few days after the announcement, this corporate action alert outlines the proposed acquisition, contrasts the environmental, social and governance standards of each company and considers the implications for responsible investors. Read more.

  

Sustainalytics' Perspective

 

China's Food Safety in 2012: Assessing the Increased Risks

China Food Safety 2012        

In this briefing, analyst Sun Xi evaluates the relevance of food safety to Chinese companies in the food value chain. The report assesses 37 Chinese-listed companies on two factors: a company's risk exposure to food safety issues and management's preparedness and ability to mitigate these risks. The report also provides background information about Chinese food safety regulators and regulations. Read the full report.

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 Upcoming Webinar: Building a Sustainable South African Food Retail Sector

 

Food Retailer WebinarTuesday, September 18, 2012
9am EDT / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST / 9pm SGT
Space is limited! Click here to register for the webinar.

 

Based on a recent report commissioned by Arisaig Partners and written in collaboration with the Moss Group of South Africa, this webinar will explore the issues investors in food retail should consider. The environmental, social and governance challenges and triumphs of the "big five" South African food retailers will also be highlighted. On-the-ground research has yielded valuable findings for investors and other stakeholders. Read the full report.

 

Please note: registrations from personal email accounts such as Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail etc. will not be accepted.   

 

 

Update: No consensus reached on UN Arms Trade Treaty 

Terence Berkleef

 

The absence of internationally agreed upon standards for the trade in arms creates significant risks for both countries and investors. The unregulated transfer of arms contributes to serious human rights violations, armed conflicts, violence, and the diversion of public resources due to corruption.

 

In July of this year, UN member states held negotiations on an international treaty to regulate the arms trade. Before the negotiations started, a group of 39 investors sent a Global Investor Statement on the Arms Trade to UN Member States' Permanent Missions. This statement, of which Sustainalytics was a signatory, expressed the support and need for a legally binding treaty on arms trade from the financial industry. The delegates were not able to reach a consensus on the text of this Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Despite this failure, the draft text lays a foundation for the scope of such a treaty and it is believed that most countries remain committed to concluding the process in the near future. 

Inside Sustainalytics

 

 Sustainalytics welcomes award-winning ESG team to Frankfurt office

Dr. Hendrik Garz

Managing Director, Germany

Claudia Volk
Claudia Volk
Senior Manager,
Research Products

 

This month, Dr. Hendrik Garz and Claudia Volk join Sustainalytics  German office. As Managing Director, Germany, Hendrik will nurture client relationships in German-speaking markets including Austria and parts of Switzerland. He will also be involved in developing improvements to Sustainalytics' research methodology and the production of thematic research notes.

 

In her role as Senior Manager, Research Products, Claudia will oversee and mentor the local analyst team. She will also be involved with enhancing Sustainalytics' research products and contribute to the production of thematic research pieces. Both Hendrik and Claudia bring a wealth of expertise in environmental, social and governance analysis having worked at WestLB and establishing the firm's extra-financial research product prior to joining Sustainalytics. Read more about Sustainalytics' newest team members Hendrik and Claudia.

 

 

Events

      

Conference season is upon us and Sustainalytics team members will be speaking at and attending a flurry of ESG and RI related conferences around the globe. Below is a detailed list of some of the conferences and events happening this fall. For a full list of events visit www.sustainalytics.com/events. We hope to see you out and about.

 

ESG in RFPs and the Asset Manager Selection Process (New York) - 14 September, NYC

Antonio Celeste, director of institutional relations, Paris will be moderating a panel during this workshop. As a co-sponsor for this event, Sustainalytics is pleased to offer a 20% discount code to our clients and contacts: SustNYC80.

(The code should be inserted on the payment screen in the "Discount Code" field.) For further information and a list of attendees visit - www.responsible-investor.com/RFPNYC2012 

 

Green Jobs Forum - 17 September, Toronto

Associate analyst Jennifer Penikett will give a presentation about sustainability research and responsible investing. Sustainalytics will also have an exhibit in the main hall.

 

CSR Asia Summit 2012 - 18-19 September, Beijing

 

2012 thebell Global Conference - 21 September, Seoul

This year's theme is "Good Capital: Toward a new definition of value in capital markets." Sustainalytics CEO Michael Jantzi will give a presentation on the influence of pension funds and responsible investment on shareholder engagement.

 

International Socially Responsible Investment Event (ISRIE) - 24-25 September, Paris

Sustainalytics has organized a roundtable on integrating ESG into portfolios at the ISRIE. Participants will include Antonio Celeste and Dr. Hendrik Garz from Sustainalytics, Matt Christensen from AXA Investment Managers and Yvonne Zwick from the German Council for Sustainable Development. Register here

 

ATRI Conference 2012 - 28 September - 1 October, Toronto

Sustainalytics senior analyst Laurence Loubieres will give a presentation as part of a panel on shareholder engagement.

   

UKSIF Analyst Seminar: Engagement and Asian companies - 1 October, London

Benjamin McCarron, Director, Asia will present this seminar.

 

PRI-CBERN Academic Network Conference - 1-3 October, Toronto

The annual PRI Academic Network Conference will be held in Toronto this year and is hosted in partnership with the Canadian Business Ethics Research Network (CBERN). Senior analyst Irene Sosa will lead a panel discussion on collaborations between indigenous communities and responsible investors. Sustainalytics is also proud to sponsor this year's academic prize. Register here

 

ICCR Fall Conference - 1-5 October, New York 
Senior analyst Laurence Loubieres will present an update on a banking report being drafted by the e ICCR's financial services team.

 

Eurosif Annual Meeting - 3 October, Amsterdam

   

ESG Europe 2012: Business Critical Sustainability - 4 October, Amsterdam

Michael Jantzi, CEO, will be part of the morning plenary focused on corporate governance. Sustainalytics is also proud to be a co-sponsor for this event. Register here

 

GRI Canada Conference 2012 - 16-17 October, Toronto

This first-ever GRI event in Toronto offers GRI Master Classes and sessions aimed at discussing and sharing best practices around sustainability reporting. Register here.  

 

Spain SIF Annual Event - 17 October, Madrid

This year's event will focus on responsible investment developments in Spain and impact investing. Elia Tarrega, managing director, Spain will participate in a workshop focused on SRI from the sustainability analysts' point of view.

 

DWS/DB Advisors Corporate Day - 26 October, Frankfurt
Dr. Hendrik Garz will participate in a roundtable on the "Challenges for ESG Service Providers." Please note that attendence at this event is by invitation only.

 

Shorex Wealth Management Forum - 30 October, Zurich

 

In this issue
Analysts' Insights
Sustainalytics' Perspective
Inside Sustainalytics
Events
Sustainalytics in the Media
TSSS Events
"Wall Street: The new driver for a sustainable world?"

9 October, 2012

 

View more events in the Toronto Sustainability Speaker Series.
GRI Training Courses
Fall courses now available.

 

October 11 & 12
Toronto (Real estate focused)
November 8 & 9
Toronto
November 15 & 16
Vancouver
For more information or to register visit:
Sustainalytics in the Media 

  

The Trouble with Fracking 

      

Senior analyst Dayna Linley was interviewed as part of IPE's recent article on hydraulic fracturing. Read the full article.
 

 

Gearing up for Green Rankings

Newsweek Green Rankings     

With just over one month to go, Sustainalytics and Trucost are analyzing mountains of data to determine who will top the list of  500 U.S. and 500 global companies. Newsweek's Green Rankings hits newsstands Oct 22.

Sustainalytics Social

 

View our profile on LinkedIn

 

 

 

Follow us on Twitter

 

 

 

View our videos on YouTube 

 

  

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 [email protected]

20th anniversary sq 
About Sustainalytics

Sustainalytics is an award-winning, 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 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, Singapore, Timisoara and Toronto; and with representatives in Bogota, Brussels, Copenhagen and London.