UN-ESG

Germany Passes Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence Law

June 23, 2021

In a move that takes voluntary compliance to mandatory, the German parliament passed the “Law on corporate due diligence in supply chains” (“Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz”) requiring companies implement policies to prevent human rights violations in their supply chains.
U.S. Supreme Court Rules for Nestle, Cargill over Slavery Lawsuit

June 21, 2021

Overturning a lower court 2005 decision, The U.S. Supreme Court threw out a lawsuit accusing Cargill Inc and a Nestle SA subsidiary of perpetuating slavery at Ivory Coast cocoa farms, but avoided a broader ruling on the permissibility of suits accusing American companies of human rights violations abroad.
Climate-Risk Disclosures on the Rise for U.S. Energy Companies

June 17, 2021

According to former US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz , as the ESG [environment, social and governance standards] movement continues to be a key factor among major investors, and the government’s intention to demand more climate risk disclosures, oil and gas companies will need to increase the pace of their energy transition to a low-carbon economy.
SEC Expands Focus on ESG-related Products

June 14, 2021

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is continuing to focus on companies recommending or offering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) by creating an alert that provides greater specificity regarding issues related to ESG products and services.
Shell Ordered to Deepen Carbon Cuts in Landmark Dutch Climate Case

June 02, 2021

A Dutch court ordered Royal Dutch Shell to reduce its planet warming carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 from 2019 levels in a landmark ruling that could trigger legal action against energy companies around the world, forcing them to increase investments in renewables and away from fossil fuel.
CNCA Delivers Blueprint for International Corporate Accountability Law in Canada

June 02, 2021

In an effort to provide lawmakers with a blueprint for writing corporate duty to respect human rights and the environment into Canadian law, the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA) released a draft model legislation that if passed, would require Canadian companies to prevent human rights and environmental harm throughout their global operations and supply chains.
Greek, Latin no Longer Required for Classics Majors at Princeton in the name of Equity

June 02, 2021

In an effort to create a more inclusive, equitable program and combat « systemic racism », Classics majors at Princeton University will no longer be required to learn Greek or Latin.
CityJournal.com: Lockhead Aims to Decontruct « White Male Culture »

June 02, 2021

Christopher F. Rufo writing for city-journal.org details how last year, the U.S.’s largest defense contractor, Lockheed Martin, sent thirteen key white male executives to a three-day diversity-training program aimed at deconstructing their “white male culture”.
ConocoPhillips: Shareholders Demand Strong Climate Action

May 26, 2021

A clear signal has been sent to the U.S. oil and gas industry that investors want to see ambitious climate action following a historic vote at the oil majors' annual meetings where they passed resolutions to agressively reduce emissions at ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66, as well as demanded that the company issue a report on whether its lobbying activities are consistent with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Fund Managers will Soon be ESG Advisers

May 25, 2021

As environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing continues to explode, asset managers are responding with marketing activity and new products and increase their portfolios and even becoming strategic ESG advisors themselves.