Published 11-06-03
Submitted by CSREurope
Six out of ten fund managers and analysts say they have noticed a growing interest in socially responsible investment over the past two years. An even greater number (69% of fund managers and analysts) expects the SRI market to grow over the next two years. The European SRI retail market is currently estimated to be worth EUR12.2 billion, while the European SRI institutional market represents EUR336 billion. Survey responses also confirm that nearly half of Europe's financial institutions already offer SRI products.
It is becoming clear that the financial community sees a direct link between non-financial risks and shareholder value: eight out of ten fund managers and analysts believe that the management of social and environmental risks has a positive impact on a company's market value in the long-term. The view is echoed by the companies themselves: IROs think that good social and environmental performance in the long term influences a company's brand and reputation (69%), economic performance (46%), and market value (36%).
While six out of ten survey respondents noted an improvement in companies' communication practices on social and environmental performance, 56% think it can still get better. Italy, Spain and the Netherlands are the least satisfied with the quality of information provided (65%), while the UK is an exception with more respondents satisfied (44%) than dissatisfied (38%).
"The European financial community has made significant strides forward in understanding CSR and recognising the importance of social and environmental performance in making investment decisions. CSR issues are becoming more relevant to their work of fund managers and financial analysts - many of them are realising that CSR is not an add-on, but imperative to a company's daily management," said CSR Europe's chair Etienne Davignon.
"Socially Responsible Investment is gaining ground and is a complementary tool for fund managers and analysts for providing more transparency, new insights into global risks analysis - in that respect, we are going in the right direction," said Jean-François Théodore, chairman of the Managing Board and CEO of Euronext.
"We are encouraged to see that the SRI market is continuing to grow and we believe that the factors behind SRI investment will inform mainstream investment decisions in the next three years. We also anticipate more voluntary integration of better social and environmental practices in business operations," said Preben Soerensen, partner at Deloitte.
For more information please download the full survey at www.csreurope.org
Notes for Editors
CSR Europe is the leading European business network for corporate social responsibility with around 70 multinational corporations and 36 national partner organisations as members. The organisation was founded in 1995 by senior European business leaders in response to an appeal by the European Commission President Jacques Delors. It has since grown to become an inspiring network of business people working at the very forefront of CSR across Europe and globally.
CSR Europe’s network of national partner organisations brings together 36 membership-based, business-led CSR organisations from around 30 European countries. In total, the network reaches out to over 5000 companies throughout Europe.
In October 2010, CSR Europe launched a joint Enterprise 2020 initiative to address societal challenges through collaborative action and shape the business contribution to the European Union’s Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
Since its launch, Enterprise 2020 has become the reference initiative for the ideal company of the future and forms the umbrella for all CSR Europe activities.
To find out more about Enterprise 2020, click here.
For more information about our activities and services, please download the CSR Europe overview and service offer or contact us.
To find out more about how to become a member of CSR Europe, click here.
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