Thursday 19 October 2017

Are you responsible?

Oh, you better be, dear reader(s)! I mean, I think you are, actually. 'Responsible?! Responsible for what, boss?! You've gone too far this time. Your readers aren't responsible for anything. Don't blame others. Look at yourself!' Eh?! What are you talking about, you little idiot?! 'Well, what are you talking about?' Voice, it's just a PR email, son ... about responsible investing. 'Oh, all right.' Yes. It is all right.

Munich/London, 18 October 2017 - Responsible capital markets clearly have a positive influence, oekom research has concluded in its latest Impact Study (2017). According to a survey of nearly 500 companies, the impact that responsible investors, banks and ratings agencies have on companies' sustainability efforts has increased considerably since the last survey was conducted in 2013.

You see, Voice? 'Okay. I just thought you were blaming your lovely long-suffering readers for something.' Don't be silly. Why would I do that?

Sustainability ratings agencies are the main driver of change.

Sustainability ratings agencies play a decisive role in this, whereas the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are currently less significant for most companies. The global study was conducted in partnership with the PRI (Principles of Responsible Investment).

Companies generally agree on the importance of sustainability. More than 90% of firms asked described it as being of 'great' or 'very great' importance.

The strongest driver of increased awareness of, and commitment to, sustainability among companies are the demands and analyses of sustainability ratings agencies. A total of 61.3% of companies state that they have been motivated to look into sustainability issues by such agencies (the same percentage as four years ago) making this the most important factor for the first time. Customer requirements and expectations moved into second place, having previously been the top driver, at 60.3%.


You see? You gotta be sustainable. Easier said than done, of course. About two thirds of insects have died off in the last couple of years. 'Eh?' Something like that. I read it on the Guardian website last night. 'Oh.' Yeah. / Okay. Let's hear from Bobby Hassler -

According to Robert Hassler, CEO of oekom research: "The impact of responsible investment has increased in the last few years. We are particularly proud of the fact that ratings agencies, compared to our first Impact Study in 2013, are considered even more relevant and have become an important driver for corporate sustainability activities. Sustainability ratings have a huge leverage effect. However, this high significance is coupled with considerable responsibility, which must be reflected in the use of a strong quality management system by agencies."

Okay, okay. Nothing about the insects. 'People don't invest in insects, do they, boss?' No. But maybe they should, you dig? Because all life on earth is fucked without the insects. 'Big time.' Having said that, a few thousand wasps nearly chased me off a cliff in Cornwall a few years ago, so ... 'So what?!' Well, I wouldn't mind some payback, you know? 'Oh, leave them alone, man! You didn't get one sting.' That's true. They were quite friendly, for wasps. 'Tell your readers about the bees.' They know about the bees, Voice. I've written about this before. 'Remind them.' All right. After the incident with the thousands of wasps, I was walking along this road to Polperro when I came across twenty or so bees by a tree. Twenty! 'Ha! What did they do, Mikey?' Well, they tried it on with me, didn't they? Just buzzing around my head and that. But I was totally calm. I was like, Yeah, bring it on, you losers. I don't give a shit. Do you know what I mean?

Anyway, it's the end of the week now. Have a nice weekend, reader(s)! Laters.