A selection of this week’s major stories impacting ESG investors, in five easy pieces.  Across the sustainable investment landscape, resources, patience and credibility are all being stretched. Lesson learned? – Asset managers are hiring ESG and sustainability staff, you won’t be surprised to learn, and they’re almost certainly not alone. According to Russell Investments’ ninth annual ESG Manager Survey, 75%…

Douglas Jayatilaka, Associate at Powell Gilbert, considers the role of intellectual property in the development of nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion is the reaction that powers the stars.  It promises a superior alternative to nuclear fission, the process harnessed by nuclear power plants today. Fusion works by combining the nuclei of hydrogen isotopes (usually deuterium and tritium, which are readily available)…

Ceres launches inaugural water stewardship benchmark, as it calls for more public policy advocacy and pricing of water risks.   Companies need to take an active role in discussions with governments to ensure an enabling environment for continued sustainable water supplies, according to investor network Ceres The call to action follows its release of a new benchmark ranking the stewardship…

Investor network launches inaugural water stewardship benchmark, for more public policy advocacy and pricing of water risks.   Companies need to take an active role in discussions with governments to ensure an enabling environment for continued sustainable water supplies, according to investor network Ceres. The call to action follows its release of a new benchmark ranking the stewardship practices of…

Harvard professor argues that sole focus on maximising returns can violate fiduciary duty if at odds with beneficiary priorities. Economist Oliver Hart has proposed that the concept of shareholder value be replaced by one of shareholder welfare to provide better outcomes for people and planet.   Speaking at a lecture hosted in London by NGO ShareAction, the Nobel prize winner said:…

Private equity vehicle worth £626 million to fund solutions for “society and the planet”.   Brunel Pension Partnership (BPP) and investment manager Neuberger Berman (NB) have sought “sector and investment style diversification” while also prioritising impact, partnering for a third time on a bespoke private equity fund.  BPP, based in the west of England, has selected previous collaborator Neuberger Berman…