Investor power for a fairer South Africa
We use research, engagement, advocacy and activism to drive urgent action to combat climate change and reduce inequality.
Our work focuses on three key ESG issues:
5 May 2021
On 23 April 2021, three asset manager shareholders in Standard Bank – Aeon Investment Management, Abax Investments, and Visio Fund Management – together with shareholder activist organisation Just Share, co-filed a non-binding advisory shareholder resolution ahead of the bank’s annual general meeting (AGM) on 27 May 2021.... continued
22 April 2021
Nedbank has today released its Energy Policy and its updated Climate Change Position Statement. The Energy Policy is by far the most ambitious fossil fuel financing policy of any South African bank, and also appears to set a global leadership standard among large commercial banks, by avoiding the adoption of the standard “net zero by 2050” target, and instead... continued
1 April 2021
This article was first published in the Financial Mail on 1 April 2021.
A year ago, as the spectre of Covid loomed large, there were encouraging signs of solidarity across the country. In his March 30 2020 address to the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa referred to “the 58-million SA citizens and residents who are standing together as one in confronting this national health... continued
30 March 2021
This article was first published in INCE|Connect on 30 March 2021.
Pausing to think about what the state of the world might be in 20 years, can leave one feeling understandably overwhelmed. The alarming reality of the unabated carbon emissions that are accelerating our climate emergency, the existential impacts we are having on our natural world, the likelihood of future pandemics, and... continued
Investors take Standard Bank to task over climate change commitments
Fin 24
6 May 2021
Shareholders want Standard Bank to set targets for reducing financing of fossil fuels
Independent Online
6 May 2021
Investors take Standard Bank to task over climate change commitments
Sierra Leone Times
6 May 2021
Shareholders call on Standard Bank to table advisory resolution on climate risk
Creamer Media's Mining Weekly
5 May 2021
Shareholders call on Standard Bank to table advisory resolution on climate risk
Engineering News
5 May 2021
COVID-19 Coronavirus South African Online Resource and News Portal
Responsible investment means making investment decisions with a focus not simply on short-term financial gain, but on long-term value creation. It involves an investment approach that integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into financial analysis and decision-making: i.e., it is premised on the belief that the concept of “value” in the investment system must extend beyond financial returns, to encompass the impacts of a company’s operations on the environment within which it operates and the people who work for it and who are affected by it.
Shareholder activism refers to the ways in which shareholders in a company can exercise their rights as partial owners of that company to influence management to behave in a particular way. The steps taken can range from engaging with management in private, to the use of shareholder resolutions and litigation to force changes in company behaviour.