The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), which involves a partnership between the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and various financial institutions worldwide, is striving to implement activities that best take the environment and the concept of sustainability into account, based on the awareness of the major worldwide impact of the funds handled by the finance industry. The initiative, whose goal is to raise awareness of efforts towards achieving sustainability, has been in operation since 1992. Financial institutions from around the world have joined this initiative.
The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) are guidelines to promote the incorporation of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) considerations into the decision-making processes of institutional investors, unveiled by UNEP FI and the UN Global Compact in April 2006. The PRI are outlined below.
1. We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
2. We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
3. We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
4. We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
5. We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
6. We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.
With the support of institutional investors concerned about climate change, the Carbon Disclosure Project asks global companies to disclose information relating to their initiatives and approaches to environmental problems. As of July 2008, institutional investors managing US$57 trillion in assets are members of the project.
Junior Achievement is a NPO founded in the United States in 1919 to promote education and practical experience in the areas of corporate management, economics, and finance. Currently, the organization receives both financial support as well as human support in the form of instructors who are corporate executives and employees from some 40,000 firms. Every year, 4.5 million youths participate in Junior Achievement programs worldwide. Junior Achievement Japan was established in 1995.