Go to publications from 2007 and earlier 

Canada: Moving forward with Responsible Investment

13 October 2009

Mercer takes a look at the state of Responsible Investment in Canada and discusses how current changes are mounting pressure on Canadian investors to integrate environmental, social and governance factors into their decision-making processes.

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Coming soon: A follow-up to the 2007 Demystifying Responsible Investment report

13 October 2009

Keep an eye on our website for Shedding light on Responsible Investment: Approaches, returns and impacts, a new Mercer report which will be released in the coming month. The report will act as a follow up to the 2007 Demystifying Responsible Investment Performance report, which Mercer undertook as a joint endeavor with the Asset Management Working Group of the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI).

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Green opportunities: Which way to turn?

13 October 2009

Mercer provides a snapshot of the landscape for environmental opportunities in public equity and plants some landmarks for navigating through this terrain.

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Microfinance – Effective diversification with social benefits?

13 October 2009

Mercer discusses the potential for investments in microfinance institutions to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns with low correlations to traditional assets and to provide much needed capital to individuals in emerging markets. Mercer is seeking indications of interest from investors who would like to receive a proposal to share the costs of further research with other investors.

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Responsible Investment extending its reach in Asia

13 October 2009

Although only a handful of the signatories to the Principles for Responsible Investment are based in Asia, managers in this region are starting catch up in integrating environmental, social and governance factors into their investment processes. Mercer discusses ESG integration as it currently stands in Asia.

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Carbon footprint analysis

29 July 2009

Clients are increasingly looking to evaluate their fund managers against ESG criteria and carbon footprint across their investments. A “carbon footprint” is a measure of the impact that a company has on the environment in terms of CO2-equivalents produced. We offer a range of carbon footprint analysis services for clients to monitor managers on a quarterly and annual basis, as compared to the benchmark.

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Divestment implementation framework

29 July 2009

Companies that operate in states on the US Department of State’s list of state sponsors of terrorism or in countries with controversial regimes can be subject to significant financial, operational and reputational risk. However, avoiding investments in these companies may expose a portfolio to risks as well. In order to provide fiduciaries with quantitative and qualitative information to address these issues, the Responsible Investment team has created a framework that assesses risks and impacts of divestment (insert link to attached document) from operating in a particular country or line of business.

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What the Hill? Changes in Washington and impacts for institutional investors

14 July 2009

Mercer takes a look at recent legislative/regulatory activity on Capitol Hill and discusses related opportunities for investors.

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Why consider ESG factors? The case for ESG integration

14 July 2009

Mercer explains why investment managers may benefit from considering ESG factors in their investment analysis and how they can go about integrating ESG factors into their decision-making processes.

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Research identifies large scope to improve carbon footprint of investment portfolios

5 July 2009

As governments strengthen legislation and regulation on greenhouse gas emissions, the potential exposure of earnings to carbon costs across portfolios could have a knock-on effect on pension fund returns. WWF commissioned Trucost and Mercer to analyse the greenhouse gas emissions and potential carbon costs associated with UK-based equity funds.

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HRadio: Sustainable investment practices evolving in emerging markets

17 April 2009

Phenomenal growth in the past five years spurred depletion of natural resources in emerging markets around the world, but now sustainable investment practices - processes that integrate environmental, social and corporate factors - are evolving in these markets. Mercer's Danyelle Guyatt joins Richard Klein to discuss a new report from Mercer and the World Bank's International Finance Corporation that identifies leading investment managers pursuing sustainable investment in the emerging market region, their assets under management and their capacity for integrating ESG into investment processes.

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Duration: 12.25 sec

Taking ESG ratings to the next level – 1500 strategies now rated

7 April 2009

Mercer shares updated information on our growing pool of ESG manager ratings – now at more than 1500 strategies internationally.

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Fixed income – the RI world’s next frontier?

7 April 2009

Mercer discusses a soon to be released white paper on the issues for RI and fixed income.

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IIGCC

7 April 2009

The second annual report on the actions of the signatories to the IIGCC Investor Statement on Climate Change suggests that there has been good progress in understanding and analysing the investment implications of climate change and that greater awareness is now being translated into action. Mercer was involved in developing the survey underlying the report, as well as verifying and analyzing the responses from the signatories managing more than €2 trillion in assets.

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IFC- Mercer Report shows sustainable investment is rising in emerging markets

31 March 2009

Fund managers in emerging markets are increasingly considering environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors in their investment decisions, according to new research conducted by the global consulting firm Mercer and commissioned by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group.

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Business benefits from responsible behaviour

23 March 2009

Danyelle Guyatt is interviewed by Sense magazine about Mercer’s role in the field of RI and future evolution of the industry.

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Mercer and CDP Investor Report

6 March 2009

The Investor Research Project by Mercer and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) set out to capture information on how climate change and CDP data is being used by investors, and how the CDP can increase its uptake into mainstream investment practices.

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The consultant's role in responsible investment

22 January 2009

The fusion of responsible investment (RI) investing with mainstream investing has been and continues to be an intriguing and fascinating experience. In the late nineties and the very early part of this decade, the fusion was as benign as the fusion of water and concentrated sulphuric acid. On the RI side (or, as it then was, the socially responsible investment (SRI) side) were a group of dedicated people who believed passionately that institutional investors should play their part in making the world a better place - sometimes almost irrespective of the short term financial costs. On the other side, mainstream investors were certain that their fiduciary responsibility was to focus on financial return and it was Government’s role to bring about change in the way that society operated.

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2008 in review: Responsible investment isn't just for Christmas

12 January 2009

Mercer discuses recent industry developments, in light of the credit crisis, and our view on the major trends that we expect to see in terms of long-term responsible investing over the coming year.

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Beyond the credit crisis

12 January 2009

Mercer discusses the role of pension funds in moving to a more sustainable capital market system.

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11 November 2008

In a world that is increasingly interested in aligning economic growth with its environmental impact, Mercer is pleased to announce that it now has the capability, through Style Research Portfolio Analyzer (SRPA), to provide clients with the ‘carbon footprint’ of their portfolio/s, and compare these with the carbon footprint of a chosen benchmark, such as the FTSE All-Share, S&P 500 or Russell 1000. For further information on this and other responsible investment queries, please contact either your consultant or one of the Responsible Investment team members; contact details can be found at RI team site.

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Sustainable Investing - The art of long term performance

November 2008

Mercer contributes, along with other renowned industry leaders, to a new book that goes some way toward defining and setting a future direction for Sustainable Investing. Mercer's chapter on Clean Energy Opportunities utilizes our extensive manager research to outline opportunities in the developing areas of clean energy, clean technology and climate change.

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Pension Collaboration: Strength in Numbers  

October 2008 

The Rotman International Centre for Pension Management has launched its first issue of the Rotman International Journal of Pension Management. A publication focused strictly on the strategic management challenges facing the fiduciaries of pension around the globe, the theme of the first issue is Effective Pension Governance: New Insights and Research Findings. Mercer's Danyelle Guyatt discusses collaboration as a highly effective pension management strategy. 

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Integrating ESG to ehance portfolio value  

September 2008

ESG integration does not refer to SRI or ethical investment. Value enhancement is at the core of integrating ESG into mainstream investment processes. It can be applied across ALL asset classes,
including listed equities, fixed income and alternatives.

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Does the ESG mantra extend to emerging markets?

October 2008

Mercer reveals preliminary findings from an extensive research study commissioned by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), on the extent of ESG integration into mainstream investment in emerging markets.

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Responsible investment and defined contribution plans - addressing frequently heard concerns

October 2008 

Mercer examines the key concerns, myths and solutions for plan trustees considering adding an SRI option to their DC plan. 

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Charities investing responsibly

October 2008 

Mercer discusses new research findings that the general public in the UK expect charities to take an ethical or socially responsible stance to their investments. 

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Mercer's ESG manager research pool grows

October 2008

Mercer has now rated over 500 mainstream investment strategies globally to assess the degree of ESG integration and active ownership practices into core processes. The ESG ratings pool continues to grow and crosses over equities, fixed income and alternatives. This article presents the highlights of our research findings to date.

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The right stuff   

July 2008

ESG issues are front and centre as pension plans try to balance responsible investing with maximizing returns.

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Managing reputational risk and alternative investments

June 2008

Mercer examines the relationship between reputational risk and investment return, for funds considering alternative asset allocations.

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A firsthand look at investor collaboration - Mercer at the PRI and ICGN annual meetings   

June 2008

Mercer comments on the power of collaboration and the key issues and achievements discussed at each of the PRI and ICGN annual meetings in Seoul.

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ESG ratings of fund managers - a step closer towards the mainstreaming of ESG integration

June 2008

Mercer discusses the objectives and progress of our integrated ESG manager research, including how the ratings can be used and results so far.

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May 2008

An understanding and better management of systemic risk in the financial system is vital for the effective functioning of the global economy.

Everything's gone green

May 2008

The last year has seen climate change evolve from a scientifically driven topic of increasing public interest, to one that permeates every aspect of our lives and economy.

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Taking a responsible approach to alternatives

April 2008

David Russell and Danyelle Guyatt take a look at the incorporation of ESG issues into investment in alternatives and suggest a number of action points for pension funds.

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Pensions & Investments: Going green not just for Hollywood anymore

April 2008

Mercer discusses the impacts of recent environmental developments on investing.

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Investing responsibly in alternatives

April 2008

Mercer discusses different approaches to responsible investment in alternative asset classes, highlighting themed funds and other solutions.

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Engagement - Managers, strategies and approaches

April 2008

Mercer shares preliminary observations from on-going study of the engagement practices of activist managers.

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UN PRI - Mercer's progress as a signatory  

April 2008 

Mercer reviews its own progress as a signatory to the UN PRI and discusses observations on common successes and setbacks.

Socially Responsible Investment: SRI gains momentum

March 2008

Mercer reviews the past year and discusses how RI is being implemented in investor's portfolios. 

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Book review: The Market for Virtue

February 2008

Professor Vogel offers an exceptionally well-balanced and readable assessment of the market forces that may promote, or inhibit, the ability of companies to behave in a socially responsible manner.

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Book review: Responsible Investment

February 2008

In the aftermath of the launch of the UN Principles of Responsible Investment, this book is both a timely and informative summary of how practitioners have implemented responsible investment practices.

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We've passed the "Tipping Point" - 2007 in review & outlook for 2008
January 2008

Mercer discusses the year in review and looks  forward to trends for 2008.

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Integrating ESG into emerging market investments

January 2008

Mercer discusses the different approaches being taken by fund managers in integrating ESG into emerging market strategies, highlighting the examples of good practice and the potential for further innovation.  
 

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The language of responsible investment: an industry guide to key terms and organisations

January 2008

As with many industries, the complex world of responsible investment seems to have its own language. To help you better understand and interpret the terms you may encounter, we have compiled this glossary. This glossary is intended to supplement rather than replace similar resources that cover existing investment concepts.

View dictionary in PDF format