In the face of the recent financial crisis there is increased focus on long-term investment strategies. This is particularly true for institutional investors who manage our retirement savings. Simultaneously there is increased demand that financial assets be invested with an understanding of long-term environmental and social sustainability. Responsible investing provides a long-term sustainable investment strategy that values environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in investment decision-making. Responsible Investing has always had a broad mandate. Put simply, it is a long-term sustainable investment strategy that seeks to reduce risk in investment portfolios through managing ESG issues in today 's corporations. The Next Generation of Responsible Investment explores this topic in an edited volume intended for those with an interest in finance and business.

The UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment initiative has led to around a third of the world's financial assets being managed with a commitment to invest in a way that considers environmental, social or governance (ESG) criteria. The responsible investment trend has increased dramatically since the global financial crisis, yet understanding of this field remains at an early stage. This handbook provides an atlas of current practice in the field of responsible investment. With a large global team of expert contributors, the book explores the impact of responsible investment on key financial actors ranging from mainstream asset managers to religious organizations. Offering students and researchers a comprehensive introduction to current scholarship and international structures in the expanding discipline of responsible investment, this handbook is vital reading across the fields of finance, economics and accounting.

The history of modern Socially Responsible Investment began with the Apartheid crisis in South Africa in the 1970s. When asked if divestment played a role in ending South African Apartheid, Nelson Mandela answered "undoubtedly". But what about SRI in the 21st century, does it make a difference for society? The first part of this book explores the innovative approach of socially responsible investors in building engagement approaches, mobilizing networks, developing new products, and proposing alternative models showing the potential to create change. The second part interrogates the limits of SRI in making a difference. It questions the potential of SRI to create change but also proposes ways to increase societal impacts of SRI. The last section of the volume addresses the boarder issues of values and governance and shows how they are central in the SRI discussion. The book takes a critical but constructive stance on SRI with the objective of contributing to the capacity and ability of SRI to make a difference. Little research has been undertaken on the societal impacts of SRI. With this book we contribute to this debate, pushing the boundaries of SRI even further.

In the face of the recent financial crisis there is increased focus on long-term investment strategies. This is particularly true for institutional investors who manage our retirement savings. Simultaneously there is increased demand that financial assets be invested with an understanding of long-term environmental and social sustainability. Responsible investing provides a long-term sustainable investment strategy that values environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in investment decision-making. Responsible Investing has always had a broad mandate. Put simply, it is a long-term sustainable investment strategy that seeks to reduce risk in investment portfolios through managing ESG issues in today's corporations. The Next Generation of Responsible Investment explores this topic in an edited volume intended for those with an interest in finance and business."

Launched in April 2006, the United Nation's Principles for Responsible Investment has been signed by 860 financial institutions, representing more than 25 trillion US$ in the first five years of their existence. This means that roughly 25% of the world's financial institutions have made some commitment to invest their assets in a way, which consider not purely financial but also some environmental, social or governance (ESG) criteria. This trend to invest responsibly is expected to strengthen even further as a consequence of the financial crisis, which resulted in considerable doubt regarding certain financial theories. However, no edited book has been published on the topic to date, which functions as general overview on research insights and market structures to represent a focal point of reference for both, academics and practitioners. This handbook will provide a prestige reference work which offers students and researchers an introduction to current scholarship and international structures in the expanding discipline of responsible investment.

In No Small Change, Tessa Hebb examines the ability of pension funds, now the largest single driver of financial markets around the world, to use their ownership position to change corporate practices for the sake of the bottom line and, perhaps, change the world for the better in the process.

Pension funds are not the new moral conscience of the twenty-first century, but they are significant owners of today's corporations. Because pension funds have to pay out benefits over many decades, they are increasingly concerned about the long-term value of the stocks they hold in their portfolios. Risks posed by climate change can have a huge impact on future returns. To lower the risks associated with an uncertain future, pension funds are engaging corporations and using their influence to raise the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards of companies.

At its best, Hebb finds, corporate engagement offers a long-term view of value that both promotes higher ESG standards and adds share value, thus providing long-term benefits to future pension beneficiaries. At its worst it may divert the attention of pension fund officials from their primary responsibility of ensuring the retirement benefits of their members. This book weighs the influence of corporate engagement on firms in an effort to see how the potential from this newly emerging force is being realized.