September 2017

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) are partnering with the International Institute of Green Finance (IIGF) of the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing on a joint research project on the theme of Investor Obligations and Duties and ESG Integration.

Building on the recent achievements of the national Green Finance initiative in China, this project aims to discuss the development of an investment and regulatory environment that promotes consideration of financially material environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, consistent with investor obligations and duties. The partnership with IIGF will offer a shared perspective and innovative viewpoints on how to support the progress of green finance and sustainable development through responsible investment regulations.

Two related events are scheduled in China to engage local stakeholders in the discussion: a roundtable in Shanghai, focused on investor practices, taking place on October 11, 2017, and a second workshop in Beijing, looking at policy developments, on October 13, 2017. The ideas generated at both events will complement research on how clarifying the role of ESG integration in investor obligations and duties can contribute to achieving China’s long-term vision of balanced, inclusive and sustainable development.

The events are open to local stakeholders, including but not limited to, investors, policymakers and regulators. For more information and to register, please see the Shanghai event here and the Beijing event here.

The results of the joint research and the market feedback collected during those events will be published by the three organisations in 2018. The project team will outline priority recommendations and support their implementation, including, for example, instruments and tools to support capacity building, investor education, and exchange of best practice case studies. The report is intended for investors, governments, intergovernmental organizations, policymakers and regulators, as well as related stakeholders.

The project is a part of the work programme by UNEP FI and the PRI on Fiduciary Duty and follows up from the report published in 2016 on Investor Obligations and Duties in Six Asian Markets. The programme has delivered so far eight country studies on fiduciary duty and ESG integration, and is based on the Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century report, published in 2015.

For more information on the joint research project, please visit: http://www.fiduciaryduty21.org/china.html.