Launched on 27 April 2006, the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) was steered by the UN in collaboration with leading international asset owners, asset managers, service providers, academics and thought-leaders in the industry. Mercer's investment consulting business was the consultant to the UN through this development and is also a signatory to the global Principles for Responsible Investment.

As at June 2009, more than 560 signatories, representing over $18 trillion of assets under management have joined the initiative. Around 32% of the signatories are asset owners (such as pension funds), 49% investment managers and 19% professional service partners (such as Mercer).

As a professional service partner, Mercer has made a commitment to 'providing services that support the implementation of the Principles by investors and to improving such services over time'. With the creation of our dedicated global responsible investment (RI) business unit in 2004, we have worked with clients around the world to develop investment decision making, active ownership and collaborative approaches that support the Principles’ objectives. We are uniquely positioned to assist signatories in implementing the Principles.

The Principles for Responsible Investment

"We believe that taking a long-term horizon and integrating wider environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions can enhance portfolio performance (to varying degrees across companies, sectors, regions, asset classes and through time)."

With team members all over the world, our global Responsible Investment business is uniquely positioned to advise you on the major international trends and developments with respect to ESG integration, across both asset owners and asset managers. We are experienced in providing advice on the integration of ESG across many asset classes, including listed equities, emerging markets, corporate fixed income and alternatives. We also have experience in conducting searches and ratings on sustainability branded investment opportunities in listed equities, private equity and infrastructure.

One of the key factors supporting success in any collaborative initiative is a continuing belief in its legitimacy and credibility. Joining an initiative is the easy part; the hard part is implementing the principles. The PRI Board recognizes this and in 2007, introduced an annual framework to assess progress amongst signatories and promote transparency to share new and innovative practices.

Mercer was engaged to help develop the PRI's reporting and assessment framework. Three resulting reports that review signatory activity are publicly available covering the entire three year period since the PRI's launch. The first report reviews activity through 2006, the second report reviews signatory progress through 2007, and the third report, released July 16 2009, reviews progress in the past year.

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