Our policy approach

Public policy critically affects the ability of institutional investors to generate sustainable returns and create value. It also affects the sustainability and stability of financial markets, as well as social, environmental and economic systems.

Policy engagement by institutional investors is therefore a natural and necessary extension of an investor’s responsibilities and fiduciary duties to the interests of beneficiaries.

How can signatories engage with policymakers?

PRI’s "Sustainable Finance Policy Engagement handbook” provides signatories with:

  • An explanation of why policy engagement matters.  
  • An overview of sustainable finance policy reform so far. 
  • The foundations of policy engagement, including practical recommendations. 
  • Examples of policy engagement by PRI signatories. 

We encourage signatories to read this report, no matter their experience in sustainable finance policy engagement.

PRI_Sustainable_Finance_Policy

A sustainable finance policy engagement handbook

2022-11-28T08:00:00+00:00

Why investors should engage with policy makers, how they are doing so and how to get started

PRI policy process

The PRI actively engages with public policy where relevant to our Principles and Mission.

In doing so, the PRI:

  • Will respond to policy consultations, where relevant.
  • Will not seek to represent the views of the whole signatory base or indicate that research or recommendations represent the views of signatories collectively.
  • Will base its comments on high-quality research containing well-considered arguments and proposals that are rigorously defendable.
  • May make recommendations for policy makers.

The PRI will not engage in policy activities intended to broadly support a specific national or sub-national political party or parties.

Policy publications

In responding to policy consultations, the PRI will:

  • Publish the consultation on the PRI Collaboration Platform.
  • Encourage signatories to provide feedback.
  • Share policy positions with the PRI Global and Regional Policy Reference Groups (GPRG and RPRGs).
  • Publish consultation responses, technical briefings and policy-related research on the PRI website.

How signatories can get involved

The PRI involves signatories when developing new policy research, analysis and positions. This is led within dedicated reference groups, collaboration platform and direct signatory engagement.

The PRI encourages signatories to participate in policy activity through the following channels.

Attend an event

The PRI also hosts in person and online events on responsible investment policy and regulation. View upcoming events.

Join the Policy Collaboration

Signatories can join the Policy Collaboration, via the Collaboration Platform, to:

  • Proactively share policy updates, identify comment opportunities and suggest positioning relevant to responsible investment.
  • Provide comment and feedback on policy consultations.
  • Provide comment and feedback on the PRI’s policy programme.
  • Join our quarterly policy update calls.

Join our Global Policy Reference Group (GPRG)

The aim of the group is:

  • To inform and strengthen PRI’s and our signatories’ public policy engagement on responsible investment topics.
  • To share information on policy, regulation and related initiatives that encourage or require responsible investment practices.
  • To encourage greater alignment between our signatories’ responsible investment commitments and public policy efforts.
  • Ultimately, a regulatory environment aligned with the PRI’s Mission and six Principles.

The PRI also engages on a regional level through groups within the GPRG.
Policy professionals at PRI signatories are welcome to join the group. The current membership and terms of reference of the GPRG are listed on our advisory committee page.

Keep in touch

The PRI policy team publishes a monthly policy briefing sharing key developments on relevant policies and regulations, ongoing consultations, events and policy publications.

Subscribe to the monthly policy briefing

Contact us

To find out more, get in touch with the policy team.