Ahead of COP 29, PRI published a Climate Policy Roadmap for 2024/25.
A discussion paper exploring how social issues could inform a whole-of-government policy approach to the economic transition.
This briefing represents key policy priorities and recommendations for Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to operationalise the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
This briefing provides country-based policy recommendations to support responsible and sustainable investment.
The paper explores how Japanese policymakers can further the progress already made in establishing a whole-of-government approach to the economic transition.
This briefing is a synopsis of the speeches and panel discussions about the Legal Framework for Impact summary report.
This discussion paper sets out the importance of nature to economic and social systems, its relevance to responsible investors and the PRI’s approach to nature policy.
This briefing summarises interviews with US signatories regarding the impact of state anti-ESG laws on their business operations.
A policy paper calling for increased policy action to drive a just, sustainable economic transition to net zero.
This briefing note summarises the requirements of the CSDDD, with particular focus on how it will affect the investment sector.
The PRI consulted on its Investor Data Needs (IDN) Framework from June 2023 to March 2024.
This joint briefing by the PRI and IIGCC identifies areas that the UK Government should prioritise in the short-term in 2024 to accelerate delivery of the building blocks of the UK’s sustainable finance framework and support progress against the UK’s net zero objectives.
This brief summarises PRI recommendations for an EU 2040 climate target and a strong policy framework to implement a competitive net zero economy, accelerate finance for the transition, and create a prosperous and fair European Green Deal for all.
This brief builds on existing PRI pensions and fiduciary duty work, analysing some of the key UK policy developments since 2019, highlighting areas that require further work and the PRI’s recommendations to help address ongoing issues.
Six key policy actions to fine-tune and improve the usability and coherence of the existing sustainable finance framework, build on it where necessary, and develop and strengthen the links with broader EU Green Deal policies.
This paper focuses on the EU legislative proposal to regulate ESG rating providers, as discussed in trilogues in January 2024.
Approximately 50 delegates gathered at a recent investor workshop at PRI in Person to explore how investors are approaching sustainable outcomes in their investments.
Recommendations for Japanese policy makers to create ambitious policies regarding the transition to net zero.
At the PRI’s Sustainability Outcomes Forum in Australia, October 2023, signatories came together to share their experiences and practices in pursuing sustainability outcomes.
In June 2023 the ISSB released final versions of its first two sustainability reporting standards. This briefing note aims to support signatories by summarising reporting requirements within the standards, including requirements set out in the Appendices to the standards and accompanying guidance.
On 3 October 2023, the PRI hosted its annual Sustainable Finance Policy Conference in Tokyo, before PRI in Person 2023 (PiP 2023)
Policy highlights from our flagship responsible investment annual conference, PRI in Person 2023.
The transition to a sustainable and equitable economy that benefits both economic growth and natural and social systems has become an increasingly urgent policy objective in many countries and within international forums. Governments are introducing policies and regulations to address climate change, biodiversity loss, macroeconomic instability, effects on costs of ...
Investors need robust and reliable climate data to deliver and credibly report on their net zero commitments. However, there are gaps in the data currently available. This report explores where those gaps are and looks at what action could be taken by data providers and other stakeholders to build a ...
This brief summarises the key policy topics and developments in core markets where the PRI is conducting policy research and engagement. These priorities reflect the PRI’s strategy and current policy agenda in different markets.
Current practice, emerging opportunities and key challenges for investors in China to integrate the consideration of sustainability outcomes into their decision making, as well as a series of recommendations for policy makers.
[Region: US] This briefing presents summary and analysis of select proposed bills pending before the US House of Representatives and US Senate.
[Region: US] The PRI submitted a statement for the record regarding a hearing held by the House Financial Services Committee titled, “Protecting Investor Interests: Examining Environmental and Social Policy in Financial Regulation”.
This paper sets out the PRI’s Investor Data Needs Framework, which offers a structure to identify decision-useful corporate sustainability data for responsible investors.
This briefing focuses on reforming the multilateral financial architecture. It presents a diagnosis of the current multilateral financial architecture and notes its incompatibility to meet present economic and sustainability challenges.
Building on the findings and recommendations in the reports, A Legal Framework for Impact, Legal Framework for Impact: Australia, and the Stewardship Policy Toolkit, this report sets out the findings of research into how Australian institutional investors conduct stewardship and identifies barriers that limit how effectively they use stewardship to ...
This briefing focuses on shareholder voting in China. It makes policy recommendations to help mobilise institutional investors to exercise their voting rights more effectively and responsibly for the purpose of securing and enhancing overall long-term value for clients or beneficiaries.
Financial investments drive real-world outcomes on issues such as climate change, sustainable development and human rights – whether the impacts are intended or not. Investors increasingly recognise that financial returns depend on the stability of social and environmental systems, especially in the long term. This is driving investors to increasingly ...
The role of policy in enabling the respect of human rights from corporates and investors.
[Region: UK] Letter from PRI, IIGCC, UKSIF, supported by investors, on the UK Prime Minister’s backtrack on vital net zero policies.
Recommendations to embed sustainability within the international policy dialogue taking place at the G7 in 2023.
Chris Skidmore’s recently published Net Zero Review captures the transition to a net zero economy as a major pro-business and pro-investment opportunity. It offers policy recommendations centred around backing business, backing local action, delivering energy efficient homes, and using infrastructure to unlock net zero.
This briefing sets out the results of a survey and targeted stakeholder interviews regarding the requirements and expectations of investors in relation to a potential sustainable finance taxonomy for Japan. These results are accompanied by an analysis of selected existing sustainable finance policies, regulations and guidance and a set of ...
The PRI welcomes the EU proposal for a directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD). It offers an important opportunity to create a harmonised framework to ensure that economic activities tied to the EU single market are conducted in a responsible manner. However, significant improvements are needed, as set out ...
Signatory comments on the SEC Proposed Rule, “Enhanced Disclosures by Certain Investment Advisers and Investment Companies about Environmental, Social, and Governance Investment Practices”
In 2022 there was a strong focus of sustainable finance policy reforms across jurisdictions worldwide. In this briefing we provide a short roundup of policy developments in each of the PRI Policy Team’s key jurisdictions.
The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), the PRI and CDP – under the auspices of The Investor Agenda, a common leadership agenda on the climate crisis that is unifying, comprehensive and focused on accelerating investor action for a net zero emissions economy – commissioned Chronos Sustainability to produce ...
The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), in partnership with Finance for Tomorrow and the Forum pour l’Investissement Responsable (FIR), has published a roadmap to further promote the development of sustainable finance policy in France.
This position paper builds on PRI’s consultation response, reaction statement, key takeaways from a joint PRI & WBA roundtable on CSDD with policymakers and signatories held on 13th June 2022, and signatory feedback received over August 2022. The PRI welcomes the Commission’s proposal, but a number of improvements will be ...
[Region: EU] On Tuesday 14th September, the European Commission published its proposal for a regulation prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market. This is a critical step towards the Commission’s commitment to promote decent work, from February this year.
As China moves towards a low-carbon society and increasingly pursues a strategy of high-quality development, there is rich context for a just transition to be applied in China.
Public policy sets the rules of the game that govern the financial system, and affects the sustainability and stability of financial markets, as well as social, environmental, and economic systems. Public policy also critically affects the ability of long-term investors to generate sustainable returns and create value. Therefore, policy engagement ...
An overview of environmental, social and governance reporting requirements for investors around the world and the trends driving the disclosures
The war in Ukraine has accentuated the EU’s dependence on fossil fuel imports from Russia and further exacerbated the triple energy policy challenge – energy security, affordability, and addressing climate change – facing governments in Europe and across the globe.
The war in Ukraine, alongside the unexpected, renewed focus on energy security and related debates on maintaining the focus on net zero commitments have prompted an update of the PRI’s UK climate policy roadmap (published in June 2020), which reflects the release of the UK Government’s British Energy Security Strategy ...
This briefing provides an overview of the EU taxonomy, including a proposed delegated act on gas and nuclear energy.
With these four proposed policy and regulatory recommendations, the PRI hopes to advance the development of infrastructure projects aligned with key global sustainability goals, such as the SDGs and the Paris Agreement.
The Principles for Responsible Investment provided comment to the Independent Review Committee on Standard Setting in Canada.
Japan’s commitment to net-zero by 2050, announced by the former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and enshrined in Japanese law, has profound implications for the country’s power sector.
On Wednesday 23rd February, the European Commission published its proposalfor a Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDD). This is a transformative step forward to ensure that economic activities tied to the EU single market are conducted in a responsible manner. The PRI responded to the initial public consultation from the ...
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revised its rules in 2020 that required information on “human capital resources” be included in standard financial reporting. This report explains that while these changes are promising, the requirements remain too broad to provide the data needed by investors in their decision-making processes.
[Region: EU] This paper builds on PRI’s extensive work on corporate disclosureand our responseto the European Commission’s consultation on the review of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive. The PRI welcomes the extension of the scope of companies reporting under the CSRD to all large companies and all companies listed on regulated ...
[Region: EU] This updated briefing unpacks the EU regulation on sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector, known as the SFDR, which sets out transparency requirements for investors and financial advisers.
[Region: EU] The European Commission has adopted the EU Sustainable Taxonomy complementary climate delegated act (complementary climate DA). The complementary climate DA, which is now subject to a 4-to-6 month scrutiny period by the European Council and European Parliament, includes technical screening criteria (TSC) covering gas-fired power/cogeneration/district heating and cooling ...
[Region: Global] The PRI welcomes the publication of prototypes developed by the Technical Readiness Working Group. To inform further development of the Sustainability Disclosure Standards led by the ISSB, this position paper explains how the current recommendations could be enhanced to better meet the reporting needs of responsible investors.
[Region: US] The PRI responded to the SEC’s Proposed Rule, “Enhanced Reporting of Proxy Votes by Registered Management Investment Companies; Reporting of Executive Compensation Votes by Institutional Investment Managers”
[Region: US] PRI Response to Department of Labor Proposed Rule Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights
[Region: EU] The European Council has just approved the EU taxonomy climate Delegated Act (DA), confirming into EU law the adoption of Technical Screening Criteria (TSC) for activities that contribute substantially to climate change mitigation and adaptation objectives.
[Region: EU] This position paper explains why gas-fired power and nuclear energy are not aligned with the objectives of the EU Sustainable Taxonomy, and presents alternative options for their inclusion in the framework.
[Region: US] A significant acceleration of action is needed to if we are to meet the Paris Agreement goals. This briefing, which is one of a series of climate policy country briefings, presents the PRI’s recommendations for priority climate-related policies for the US that would help leverage investors’ interests in ...
[Region: China] A significant acceleration of action is needed to if we are to meet the Paris Agreement goals. This briefing, which is one of a series of climate policy country briefings, presents the PRI’s recommendations for priority climate-related policies for China that would help leverage investors’ interests in supporting ...
On 20 July 2021, Natural Resources Canada published its People-Centred Just Transition discussion paper, inviting stakeholder feedback on proposed legislation to enact an inclusive and fair transition to a carbon neutral economy.
[Region: EU] Throughout 2020, the PRI ran a survey and organised a roundtable to explore investors’ perception of the EU Recovery Package. This paper summarises the key findings. It aims to contribute to the successful implementation of the recovery package and suggests ways to maximise the contribution of private finance.
[Region: EU] The 2018 EU Sustainable Finance Action Plan (SFAP) put Europe on the map as a global leader in sustainable finance. It raised the EU’s ambitions, placing strong emphasis on increasing capital allocations to sustainable companies and activities. However, the crucial lever of stewardship was largely absent from the ...
[Region: US] Letter in Support of H.R. 1187 Corporate Governance and Investor Protection Act
[Region: US] PRI Response to SEC Request for Comment on Climate Change Disclosures
[Region: Global] A significant acceleration of action is needed to if we are to meet the Paris Agreement goals. This PRI briefing provides recommendations for policymakers to support ambitious commitments and take decisive action at COP26 to deliver the needed emissions cuts this decade and a net-zero economy by 2050.
[Region: Global] The PRI recommends to host governments of G7 and G20 to commit to policy reforms that align financial regulatory frameworks with sustainability goals, and embed sustainable finance discussions at the core of finance ministers meetings.
[Region: US] This briefing outlines several broad policy objectives and identifies actions federal financial regulators and lawmakers in the United States can take to revise the U.S. regulatory regime to better promote the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment practice and decision-making.
[Region: Japan] This briefing sets out key policy priorities to set Japan on a pathway to achieve a net zero emissions economy; and to do so in a way that is economically, politically and technologically achievable and ultimately beneficial. It is based on research from PRI’s Inevitable Policy Response project.
[Region: US] The PRI’s 2021 policy priorities focus on six areas we see as actionable and achievable to support greater adoption of the Principles and advancement of sustainable finance.
[Region: Global] This paper looks at the TCFD consultation on forward-looking metrics for financial institutions and makes some recommendations for how the Taskforce may look to develop its guidance.
[Region: China] This briefing sets out key policy priorities to set China on a pathway to deliver carbon neutrality; and to do so in a way that is economically, politically and technologically achievable and ultimately beneficial. It is based on research from PRI’s Inevitable Policy Response project.
[Region: Japan] This briefing presents an overview of Japan’s sustainable finance policy framework, as well as recommendations on further policy reforms on a national sustainable finance strategy, stewardship and corporate governance, ESG and climate disclosures, and asset owner regulations.
[Region: EU] This briefing sets out key priorities to set the EU on a pathway to deliver a net zero emissions economy by 2050; and to do so in a way that is economically, politically and technologically achievable and ultimately beneficial. It is based on research from PRI’s Inevitable Policy ...
[Region: China] This briefing presents the results of the investor survey on ESG disclosure in China led in May 2020, as well as the latest analysis on policy and market trends around ESG disclosure
[Region: EU] This position paper sets out recommendations for areas that need to be further defined to ensure the European recovery will be in line with the Paris Agreement objectives, ensure the European Green Deal and its objective of making Europe climate-neutral by 2050 are met, can be measured and ...
[Region: US] This report sets out priorities for US federal climate policy which are economically feasible, readily implementable, and necessary. Policy reform can also represent a growth opportunity to enhance US competitiveness and retool large sections of the US economy.
[Region: EU] On 2 July, the PRI will host a roundtable to discuss Europe’s green recovery, exploring the proposed recovery package and the key opportunities for investors to contribute to a sustainable and equitable recovery. This briefing provides an overview of the context and intended outcome of the roundtable.
[Region: UK] This briefing sets out the key policy priorities to put the UK on a trajectory to meet net zero emissions by 2050, and the role that investors can play. These priorities are consistent with a green recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
The PRI’s report sets out recommendations to ensure that investors can scale up their contribution to the EU Green Deal and sustainability goals more broadly.
[Region: EU] This briefing provides an overview on the progress to date on EU Sustainable Finance Policy and presents an outlook of the political implication of the European Green Deal.
The Statement calls on international policymakers and national governments to clarify the obligations and duties of investors and other organisations in the investment system. It calls, specifically, for governments to clarify that investors and other organisations in the investment system must act with due care, skill and diligence, must act ...
Archived policy reports 2019
Region | Date | Briefing | PRI briefing |
---|---|---|---|
EU |
December 2019 |
The EU taxonomy is a tool to help investors understand whether an economic activity is environmentally sustainable. This briefing explains its purpose and relevance for investors (updated to include political agreement on the regulation). |
|
China |
December 2019 |
ESG Disclosure in China - Key considerations on policy design |
This briefing provides technical guidance as part of the PRI’s work on ESG disclosure in China. It is based on the research and recommendations of the report ESG Data in China: Recommendations on Primary ESG indicators. |
US |
November 2019 |
On November 5th 2019, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission voted 3-2 to propose rules that would amend: (1) Rule 14a-8 (also known as the shareholder proposals rule); and (2) the regulations governing proxy voting advice. |
|
Global |
September 2019 |
Taking stock: Sustainable finance policy engagement and policy influence |
Over the past five years, there has been a dramatic increase in the attention paid by financial policymakers to sustainability issues. Accompanying, and in some markets, leading this change, institutional investors have actively engaged with these policymakers on sustainability issues. The PRI monitors global sustainable finance policy. This white paper provides an overview of recent developments and presents five key findings. |
EU |
August 2019 |
EU Regulation on sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector |
This Regulation lays down transparency rules for financial market participants and financial advisers with regard to the integration of sustainability risks and the consideration of adverse sustainability impacts. The briefing explains its implications. |
EU |
August 2019 |
EU Regulation on EU Climate Transition Benchmarks and EU Paris-aligned Benchmarks |
This Regulation establishes a voluntary label for EU Climate Transition benchmarks and EU Paris-aligned benchmarks and lays down transparency rules for benchmark administrators with regard to the integration of ESG factors in their methodology. This briefing explains its implications. |
US |
June 2019 |
The US Securities and Exchange Commission finalized new rules for the conduct for investment professionals. The PRI believes all who provide investment advice owe their clients a fiduciary duty, which includes integration of material ESG factors. |
|
EU |
April 2019 |
The new Pan-European Personal Pension Product (PEPP) regulation sets out requirements for a new category of pension product. The regulation requires PEPP providers to consider risks related to ESG factors, as well as the potential long-term impact of investment decisions on ESG factors. |
|
Poland |
January 2019 |
Sustainable finance in Poland: The state of play and prospects for progress |
This briefing maps the market structures that are hampering or supporting ESG integration in Poland. It will support further discussions about ongoing EU action as well as introduce the topic in a more structured and comprehensive manner to the public and financial sector representatives. |
Archived policy reports 2015 - 2018
Region | Date | Briefing | PRI Briefing |
---|---|---|---|
OECD | December 2018 | OECD| Aligning investors with sustainable finance: a focus on the OECD |
This briefing makes recommendations to the OECD to align policy work on the financial sector with globally agreed sustainable development objectives, such as the Paris climate agreement.
See full briefing. |
Chile | November 2018 | Ministerio de Hacienda (Treasury Minister) |
The PRI encourages the Treasury Minister to introduce ESG requirements in pension regulation, consistent with international regulators.
See full letter (in Spanish). |
US | October 2018 | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) | Policy briefing on shareholder voting process, ESG integration and proxy advice in the US |
This briefing provides an update for signatories on legislative and regulatory proposals under discussion in the US regarding the shareholder voting process, ESG integration and the role of proxy advisory firms and is intended to support signatories in submitting comment letters to the SEC in advance of the roundtable. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will host a roundtable discussion on possible regulatory changes to the shareholder voting process on November 15.
See full briefing. |
EU | October 2018 | European Parliament | Investor disclosure and duties |
The PRI strongly supports this proposal. Financial market reforms to promote a more sustainable European economy are necessary and urgent. We consider reform of investor duties and disclosure critical for the success of the EU’s overall sustainable finance objectives.
See full position. |
EU | October 2018 | European Council | Investor disclosure and duties. |
The PRI strongly supports the key components of the proposal on investor disclosure and duties. A wide range of analysis – including the EU HLEG report on sustainable finance – recognise the urgent need to strengthen the investment sector’s contribution to sustainability outcomes.
See full position. |
EU | July 2018 | Breifing: The European Commission Action Plan | Assessment of the reform areas for PRI signatories |
An assessment of the 10 reform areas of the EU action plan for financing sustinable growth. Version 2, published in July 2018, incorporates the European Commission’s regulatory proposals on Action Plan areas 1 (taxonomy), 4 (investment advice), 5 (sustainability benchmarks) and 7 (investor duties).
See full briefing. |
US | June 2018 | Letter FAO: Committee on Financial Services | HR 5756 shareholder proposals resubmission thresholds |
The PRI has serious concerns that H.R.5756 would significantly weaken the role institutional investors play in the effective corporate governance of US companies.
See full letter. |
US | March 2018 | Letter FAO: Chicago City Treasurer’s Office | Legislation to amend allow ESG integration into investment policy |
The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) applauds you for putting forth legislation to amend the City Treasurer’s Office’s (CTO) investment policy to allow for the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into your investment decision making and ownership practices as well as to become a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment.
See full letter. |
US | March 2018 | Letter FAO: Senate Banking Committee | S 2155 Economic growth, regulatory relief and consumer protection act |
We have serious concerns that H.R.4015 would significantly weaken the role institutional investors play in the corporate governance of U.S. companies.
See full letter. |
US | January 2018 | Briefing: US regulation and policy making on responsible investment | DOL policies and Financial CHOICE Act |
This briefing discusses recent policy developments – particularly around fiduciary responsibilities, stewardship and financial disclosures – that could, or perhaps already have, impacted ESG integration in the US.
See full briefing.
|
US | November 2017 | Letter FAO: House Committee on Financial Services | HR 4015 - Corporate governance reform and transparency act 2017 |
The PRI has serious concerns that H.R.4015 would significantly weaken the role institutional
investors play in the corporate governance of U.S. companies. See full letter. |
Canada | July 2017 | Government of Alberta | Business corporations act |
The PRI has strong concerns with the current shareholder proposal filing rules in Alberta. We recommend for the Government of Alberta to amend the Regulations under the ABCA to establish a shareholder proposal filing threshold that is substantively the same as that set out in the federal Canada Business Corporations Act and associated Regulations.
See full response. |
US | April 2017 | Letter FAO: House Committee on Financial Services | Rule 14a8 - financial choice act |
The PRI has strong concerns that multiple aspects of the Financial Choice Act would significantly weaken the role institutional investors play in the corporate governance of US companies, jeopardise long-term value-creation. In particular, we strongly recommend opposing any attempt to modify or limit the Securities and Exchange Commission’s shareholder proposal rule, SEC Rule 14a-8.
See full letter. |
EU | February 2017 | Breifing: Revised shareholder rights directive | requirements for institutional investors, asset manager, proxy advisors and companies |
The revised Shareholder Rights Directive (2007/36/EC) recognises that shareholders often exert short-term pressure on investee companies, at the expense of longer term value creation and ESG issues. The Directive seeks to mitigate this by addressing some principal agent problems in the investment chain.
See full briefing. |
US | November 2016 | Breifing: addressing ESG factors under ERISA |
The PRI is pleased to present two legal perspectives on integrating ESG issues into investment decision-making under the ERISA guidelines.
See full briefing. |
G20 | September 2016 | Briefing: Greening institutional investment | G20 GFSG input paper |
This paper takes stock of institutional investor experience with mobilising green capital for green investment and mainstreaming green factors across asset classes. It identifies key drivers for action and barriers preventing progress for input to the G20 Green Finance Study Group (GFSG).
See full briefing. |
Hong Kong | June 2015 | SFC | Principles of Responsible Ownership |
The PRI encourages the Securities and Futures Commission to require institutional investors to report annually on compliance with the Principles of Responsible Ownership.
See full response. |
Japan | January 2015 | FSA | Corporate Governance Code |
The PRI supports the objectives of the proposed Corporate Governance Code. The PRI believes that along with active stewardship, this will contribute to higher standards of corporate governance, and ultimately, sustainable long-term growth.
See full response. |
UK | April 2015 | DWP | Proposed changes to the Investment Regulations |
Trustees should state how they evaluate long-term risks which explicitly include ESG factors. ESG factors are material considerations in all investment decisions.
See full response. |