KfW Entwicklungsbank and IFC launch cross-border fund to boost lending to microenterpreneurs in developing and transition countries. In Washington KfW Entwicklungsbank and the IFC signed a declaration of intent to establish a cross-border refinancing facility for microfinance institutions. The fund, designed by KfW Entwicklungsbank, acting on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation [...]

L’immobilier durable - une chance pour les investisseurs - une tendance pour le futur de la Suisse. Centre Info Event, Mercredi, 28 Janvier 2009, Swissôtel Métropole, 34 Quai du Général Guisan, Genève. L’écologie prend de plus en plus de place dans la construction des habitations privées, comme dans celle des immeubles de bureaux. Cette évolution [...]

During the last thirty years, finance has constantly increased not only its share of economic activity but also of people’s worldview and aspirations. We call this practical and conceptual process “financialisation”. Financialisation has transformed both our economy and our society by increasingly organizing it around the search for financial efficiency. Today, pushed to its extremes, [...]

En intégrant dans sa stratégie d’investissement les enjeux environnementaux, sociaux, sociétaux et de gouvernance, OFI Private Equity Capital se positionne comme un acteur dynamique du Private Equity en France, soutenu dans cet engagement par le groupe OFI AM et celui personnel d’Olivier Millet. Conçue comme un facteur d’innovation et un outil de management performant pour [...]

Edhec research finds no difference between asset class and mainstream funds, reports Sophia Grene. Doing well by doing good is a myth promoted by asset managers anxious to sell socially responsible investment funds, according to French research. “SRI is not delivering outperformance. That is the strong conclusion of the research,” said Noël Amenc, professor of [...]

CSR Geneva will kick-start the new year with a CSR Geneva breakfast on Wednesday 14th January at 8am … we hope you can join us! Cheryl Hicks, of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development will present the findings of a new report from leading businesses on sustainable consumption: Sustainable Consumption Facts & Trends, from [...]

Deux institutions venues d’horizons différents, le Groupe SARASIN et la Société Financière de la Nef unissent leurs efforts pour lancer un Fonds d’investissement en capital-développement finançant le développement d’entreprises oeuvrant à la distribution (pro et grand public) de solutions d’efficacité énergétique, de technologies environnementales et de produits bio /équitables. Ce sont des secteurs d’activité résilients [...]

Eurosif (European Sustainable Investment Forum) publishes today a report highlighting critical environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues currently facing water-dependent industries. In the report, Eurosif highlights four critical water issues and their associated risks and opportunities for water-dependent businesses: 1. Water Scarcity and Unequal Distribution of Current Supply; 2. Drinking Water and Sanitation; 3. Water [...]

AXA’s divestment of its holdings in companies that produce or sell cluster bombs, decided and announced in July 2007, has been completed in full. This initiative follows the 2006 divestment from companies that produce or sell anti-personnel landmines. Both of these divestment initiatives cover holdings among the AXA Group’s general account insurance assets. In doing [...]

A group of major international financial institutions has joined with The Climate Group to launch a new code to guide best practice across the sector to deal with the risks and opportunities of climate change. The new code, titled The Climate Principles, is the first comprehensive industry framework for the sector’s response to climate [...]