Governance

Assistance will "significantly reduce" effects of carbon tax on industry

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 3 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
Companies that fall under the government's proposed carbon pricing scheme will most likely see the negative effects on costs and earnings "significantly reduced" by the planned assistance package, according to research from MSCI. Emissions Intensive ...

Draft carbon tax legislation "faithful", but tricky in details

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 29 JUL 2011  |  NEWS
The government has released the draft legislation necessary to implement its carbon tax regime. The Clean Energy Legislative Package is seen as a "faithful" implementation of the policy articulated on 10 July by Prime Minister Julia Gillard. But one ...

Board capacity a key governance concern

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 29 JUL 2011  |  NEWS
Institutional investors have flagged the issue of board directors' capacity as a key governance issue. While neither investors, advisory groups, nor the directors believe there should be a hard and fast rule for the number of directorships that can be ...

Chartered Secretaries advise EU to use comply or explain codes

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 27 JUL 2011  |  NEWS
Chartered Secretaries of Australia (CSA) have advised the European Commission (EC) to adopt a "comply or explain" principles-based approach to corporate governance. CSA is responding to a green paper on corporate governance codes published by the commission ...

ANZ files report for United Nations Global Compact

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 22 JUL 2011  |  NEWS
ANZ Bank has filed its first annual report to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) since becoming a signatory in 2010.

Carbon tax regime to affect liability for joint ventures

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 20 JUL 2011  |  NEWS
The government's proposed carbon tax regime will affect the way liability for carbon emissions is distributed between joint venture participants, according to an analysis by attorneys at Allens Arthur Robinson.

ACSI releases study on ASX200 ESG reporting

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 15 JUL 2011  |  NEWS
When it comes to ASX200 companies and their ESG reporting, companies seem to be falling into the mould of the little girl with a little curl in the middle of her forehead in the much-recited children's poem -where the leading companies are good and getting ...

Institutional investors back carbon tax scheme

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  MONDAY, 11 JUL 2011  |  NEWS
Institutional investors have expressed broad support for the government's proposed carbon mitigation scheme. Under legislation outlined by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the scheme will start from 1 July 2012. For the first three years, it will run as ...

PUMA's environmental P&L reporting: a model for Australia?

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 8 JUL 2011  |  NEWS
PUMA announced the initial results of its developing Environmental Profit & Loss (EP&L) Account to great global interest. The sporting and apparel manufacturer has committed to establishing an economic valuation of the company's environmental, social ...

Report: 100 South African companies used GRI in 2010

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 6 JUL 2011  |  NEWS
An analysis of South African companies has found that 100 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) have written sustainability reports based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidances for the 2010/2011 financial year, up from 86 ...