Governance

Companies increasing remuneration report transparency

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 9 SEP 2011  |  NEWS
More companies are increasing their transparency and engagement to explain remuneration practices, a result of the government's new "two strikes and you're out" test empowering shareholders to dump a board of directors, according to AMP Capital Investors.

ASX100 CEO pay increases faster than stock value

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 7 SEP 2011  |  NEWS
The salaries of ASX100 CEOs increased 131% and the median bonus increased 190% in the first decade of this century, while the stock value of the same ASX100 companies only increased 31%, according to research by the Australian Council of Superannuation ...

PRI signatories develop farmland principles

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 7 SEP 2011  |  NEWS
A group of institutional investors have developed and launched the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in Farmland, which seek to improve the sustainability, transparency and accountability of investments in farmland. The five principles provide ...

Disclosing sustainability risks, engaging stakeholders vital to corporate interests

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 26 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
Although the growing acceptance of reporting frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is spurring strategic thinking about disclosing and managing sustainability risks, companies and other organizations need to do more, including setting ...

Interview: Anthea McIntyre, Australian Institute of Company Directors

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 17 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) last week launched Tomorrow's boards: Creating balanced and effective boards, a book that details the current composition of Australia's boards, selection practices and the advantages inherent in diversity.

Carbon price will capture mines' fugitive emissions

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 17 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
The Australian government's carbon pricing plan will tax mines for "fugitive" gas emissions - emissions of trapped methane that are released during the extraction process, according to a briefing from the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM).

ACSI release governance guidelines

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 12 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) has released the fifth edition of its governance guidelines 'A Guide for Superannuation Trustees to monitor listed Australian companies'. The guide, which is updated every second year, includes ...

Carbon price package could yield greater than expected reductions

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 12 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
The government's carbon price package could help Australia achieve a greater than expected reduction in greenhouse gas emission by 2020 if successfully implemented, according to research from ClimateWorks Australia.

Women make strides in recent board appointments

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 10 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
Women have comprised 29% of all new appointments to ASX200 boards so far this year, according to research compiled by the Australian Institute of Company Directors. However, overall, women only make up 12.7% of directors on ASX200 listed companies.

FSC, ACSI release ESG reporting guide for ASX companies

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 5 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
The Financial Services Council (FSC) and the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) have launched their ESG Reporting Guide for Australian Companies, a framework for assisting companies in identifying and reporting their ESG risks.