A foundation established to help boost responsible investment will launch a strategy to “protect and restore environmental, social, intellectual and financial capital.”
The EIRIS foundation, the largest shareholder in Vigeo EIRIS, the recently merged responsible investment research group, has appointed a new team to carry forward its vision of a financial and corporate system that encourages sustainable and responsible wealth creation and management.
The Foundation’s work joins a growing group of organisations and investment firms committed to promoting responsible investment. The UN Principles of Responsible Investment were established in 2006, Morningstar launched sustainability ratings for funds in 2016, The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association, holds events and hosts the annual Good Money Week.
The Foundation says its research and work with charities, NGOs, investors and companies “focuses on promoting a shift in economic activity…in partnerships with stakeholders for the benefit of all.”
Peter Webster, CEO of the EIRIS Foundation, said: “The Foundation is seeking to maximise the positive impact of responsible investment and corporate responsibility in bringing about a continued, and very necessary, transformation in the way the world invests and companies operate. We are excited to begin building on our past experience and working with others to achieve this mission.”
The Foundation has identified four strategic areas of focus:
- Increasing the practice and effectiveness of corporate responsibility initiatives
- Helping charities adopt and shape responsible investment practices
- Strengthening the good money/ethical investment options for individuals
- Helping the investor/company interface drive a greener, more responsible economy
Elissandra da Costa, campaign organiser, has a background in monitoring development projects, advocacy and stakeholder management for CAFOD as well as previous advisory work covering corruption, clean tech and human rights in emerging markets. Lisa Stonestreet joins as marketing promoter from her previous role as a programme director at the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF). Yael Rosenfeld, a former campaigner with WWF and Amnesty, will join in October.
