BSR Insight Articles About Investor Perspective

Generating and Protecting Value Through Sustainability: Five Lessons From Private Equity

David Korngold, Manager, Advisory Services

Even though credible sustainability initiatives serve as an engine of value creation, there are still critics who claim such efforts are more about public relations. Yet several prominent private equity firms—known for their rigorous focus on producing returns for investors—are emerging as sustainability leaders, particularly when it comes to integrating sustainability into investment decisions and management. Read more →

Posted: October 2, 2012 | Topics: Financial Services, Investor Perspective, Leadership, Return on Investment, Stakeholder Relations

Investor Insights: Improving ESG Disclosure by Chinese Companies

Lindsey Lim, Former Associate, Advisory Services

Cross-sector collaboration is needed to create effective, industry-specific ESG disclosure guidelines for Chinese listed companies. Read more →

Posted: March 20, 2012 | Topics: Financial Services, Investor Perspective, Reporting & Communications

Shareholder Activism, SRI Identified as Useful Tools for Change

Laura Gitman, Managing Director, Advisory Services

Shareholder activism and socially responsible investing (SRI) are viewed as important tools of social and corporate change, according to a recent SustainAbility and GlobeScan study (available with free registration).The study, which surveyed more than 640 sustainability experts from 77 countries, revealed that shareholder activism is more effective at driving changes in corporate strategy and behavior than other tactics, including public criticism through social and traditional media, dialogue with companies, and civil disobedience. Findings suggested that only product boycotts and preferential purchasing are more effective than shareholder activism. At BSR, we have found that shareholder activism has been most powerful in driving governance changes, increasing corporate reporting and transparency on sustainability issues, and raising attention to critical issues such as conflict minerals. Companies should look to engage their investors proactively and communicate about their material environmental, social, and governance issues, which can help them avoid shareholder resolutions and ensure their progress aligns with investor expectations. Read more →

Posted: March 13, 2012 | Topics: Investor Perspective, Reporting & Communications, Stakeholder Relations

Advocating a Shift to Sustainable Capitalism

In the face of climate change, water scarcity, poverty, and other challenges, it’s time for a shift to sustainable capitalism, according to a white paper published last month by Generation Investment Management, a firm cofounded by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. The authors of the paper suggest that the new paradigm maximize long-term value creation by reforming markets to address real needs and consider all costs. They recommend five key actions for businesses to spur adoption and accelerate this framework: * Identify and incorporate risks from stranded assets. * Mandate integrated reporting. * Move away from issuing quarterly earnings guidance. * Align compensation with long-term sustainability performance. * Encourage long-term investing with loyalty-driven securities. The paper also identified additional areas that merit ongoing attention, including reinforcing sustainability as a fiduciary issue, creating advisory services for sustainable asset management, and integrating sustainability into business education at all levels. Read more →

Posted: March 6, 2012 | Topics: Governance & Accountability, Investor Perspective, Reporting & Communications, Strategy & Integration

Explore Our Impact: Videos

Take a deeper dive into the BSR Report 2010 and core areas of our work in video clips that provide personal perspective from BSR staff members. Read more →

Posted: June 7, 2011 | Topics: Community Engagement & Development, Conflict Minerals, Economic Development, Ecosystem Services, Energy, Investor Perspective, Mining, Strategy & Integration, Supply Chain