Governance

Carbon Farming Initiative grants for biochar research

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 27 APR 2012  |  NEWS
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has awarded AU$2m in funding to five research projects that will investigate how farmers can participate in the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) by using biochar to reduce carbon emissions.

ASA opposes Santos CEO $2m share grant

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 13 APR 2012  |  NEWS
The Australian Shareholders' Association (ASA) has struck out at a proposal from Santos to grant AU$2m grant of performance shares to CEO David Knox, in addition to his normal base salary plus short and long term incentives.

Fund manager: remuneration reports filled with "mumbo jumbo"

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 4 APR 2012  |  NEWS
Remuneration reports have become overly long and filled with legal jargon that is not easily understood, said Peter Morgan, founder of 452 Capital.

Q&A with James Gifford, executive director of the UNPRI

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 16 MAR 2012  |  NEWS
James Gifford is the executive director of the UNPRI. He is currently in Australia and met with The Sustainability Report to talk about PRI's progress, its future plans, the challenges to implementing responsible investment (RI,) and how PRI can assist ...

UNPRI writes letter to UNGC leaders and laggards

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 16 MAR 2012  |  NEWS
A coalition of investors from 12 countries, including Statewide Super and New Zealand Superannuation Fund, have contacted 118 UN Global Compact (UNGC) companies on the issue of increased reporting on environmental, social and governance activities.

GPT Group reports 2011 reductions in waste, energy and water

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 14 MAR 2012  |  NEWS
GPT Group reported reductions in energy and water consumption as well as reductions in staff turnover and employee injuries, against a backdrop of realised operating income of AU$438.8m and net profit after tax of AU$246.2m, down from AU$707.3m in 2010.

Women only 19% of superannuation fund trustee boards

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 9 MAR 2012  |  NEWS
Women are a minority on superannuation trustee boards, comprising only 19% of trustees at not-for-profit funds and an estimated 10% of retail funds, according to research from Rainmaker Information.

Proxy voting error results in Emeco AGM double-count

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 9 MAR 2012  |  NEWS
A double-counting of proxy votes by a custodial shareholder that led to an initial, apparent vote of 26.4% against the remuneration report of heavy earthmoving equipment solution provider Emeco highlights flaws in the proxy voting system. Because of ...

GRI releases oil and gas sector guidance

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 2 MAR 2012  |  NEWS
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has released a new guidance for the oil and gas sector, providing a framework for disclosure of sustainability performance on metrics including environmental management, health and safety and emergency preparedness.

AMP Capital, VFMC publish 2011 proxy voting record

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 29 FEB 2012  |  NEWS
Concerns over executive remuneration and incentive plans led institutional investors AMP Capital and the Victorian Funds Management Corporation (VMFC) to cast proxy votes against resolutions during 2011.