Investment

QIC selects Molpus Woodlands Group for timber mandate

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 25 APR 2012  |  NEWS
QIC has selected the US-based Molpus Woodlands Group as an investment partner, with the timberland specialist purchasing approximately 42,000 acres of timberland on QIC's behalf.

UKSIF endorses Natural Capital Declaration

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 25 APR 2012  |  NEWS
The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) has joined National Australia Bank and other institutions in endorsing the Natural Capital Declaration, a financial sector declaration to address the use of natural capital by businesses.

CFSGAM reports top quartile performance in UNPRI principles

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 20 APR 2012  |  NEWS
Colonial First State Global Asset Management (CFSGAM) is rated as performing in the top quartile of global investment managers for five of the six UNPRI principles, and the firm has reaffirmed its commitment to leadership in integrating ESG considerations ...

LCA-financed retrofitted office building sells for $12.25m

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 20 APR 2012  |  NEWS
A commercial property in Brisbane that underwent an energy efficient retrofit financed by Low Carbon Australia has been sold for AU$12.25m, representing a 17% internal rate of return (IRR).

IIGCC calls for reform to EU Emissions Trading Scheme

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 20 APR 2012  |  NEWS
The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) has urged European Union ministers to consider changes to the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to ensure its viability.

Industry welcomes CEFC expert review

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 18 APR 2012  |  NEWS
Investors, banks and industry bodies welcomed the report on the structure of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), saying that the expert review panel's conclusions reflected a pragmatic view of the CEFC's role in facilitating private investment ...

SAM targets 2,500 companies for sustainability assessment

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 18 APR 2012  |  NEWS
SAM, the responsible investment boutique firm, has sent letters to the 2,500 largest companies in the world to take part in the SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment, the basis for inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI).

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.

Australian Ethical funds post mixed month for February

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 11 APR 2012  |  NEWS
Five of Australian Ethical's managed funds had positive returns for the month of February, but some underperformed their benchmarks and others barely eked out positive returns.

Investors weigh meaning of social return on investment

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  THURSDAY, 5 APR 2012  |  NEWS
With some institutional investors turning their analysis to impact and social value investments, measuring how those investments provide value has also seen a concomitant rise in visibility. Social return on investment (SROI) is a principle that has ...