EIRIS and Conflict Risk Network today announce that Conflict Risk Network has become part of EIRIS’ global research platform. EIRIS is a leading global provider of research into corporate environmental, social and governance performance. Its mission is to empower responsible investors with independent assessments of companies and advice on integrating them with investment decisions.

Conflict Risk Network includes institutional investors, financial service providers and related stakeholders that are calling on corporate actors to fulfill their responsibility to respect human rights and to take steps that support peace and stability in areas affected by genocide and mass atrocities. Its goal is to increase such behavior by corporate actors, and thereby reduce conflict risk. The Network’s membership encompasses pension funds, some of the world’s largest asset management firms, government entities, university endowments, foundations, financial service providers and socially responsible investment firms with a combined total of more than $6 trillion in assets under management.

Conflict Risk Network is the pre-eminent source of timely, reliable and focused information on corporations operating in Sudan. Its quarterly Sudan Company Reports provide 80 investor members with authoritative research on 75 corporations. Applying the research model it developed for Sudan, the Network is now shining a spotlight on the potential high risks of investment in Burma.

According to EIRIS CEO Peter Webster, “This acquisition combines EIRIS’s ESG research with Conflict Risk Network’s deep expertise on Sudan, Burma and other conflict-affected areas. The resulting synergies will benefit investors, permit EIRIS to augment its profile and client base in the U.S. and gives EIRIS the opportunity to offer CRN’s service to the broader global market.”

Until recently, Conflict Risk Network was a program of United to End Genocide, the largest activist organization in America dedicated to preventing and ending genocide and mass atrocities worldwide. United to End Genocide President Tom Andrews said, “This is a win-win for both organizations and the movement to promote human rights and end genocide. We look forward to continuing to work with EIRIS, through Conflict Risk Network, to raise human rights issues with investors.”

Conflict Risk Network Director Kathy Mulvey said, “Joining the EIRIS global research platform will preserve and enhance the Network’s authoritative research, effective engagement and informed advocacy, and make our offerings available to a wider base of investors and financial stakeholders.”

EIRIS and Conflict Risk Network will be present at a number of key events in the U.S. in May and June—including the US SIF and Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) conferences. 

The Conflict Risk Network—encompassing about 80 members including pension funds, some of the world’s largest asset management firms, government entities, university endowments, foundations, financial service providers and socially responsible investment firms—harnesses the collective weight of more than $6 trillion in assets when challenging corporate behavior that might enable human rights abuses that lead to genocide or mass atrocities. Network experts examine what is driving conflicts and how corporations are connected to conflicts. The Network works with corporations, organizations on the ground, and leading business, human rights and country experts to develop specific recommendations for respecting human rights and supporting peace and stability in conflict areas. The Network also engages directly with corporations that have the greatest potential to enable or prevent mass atrocities.

EIRIS (www.EIRIS.org) is a leading global provider of independent research into the environmental, social, governance (ESG) and ethical performance of companies. Wholly owned by the EIRIS Foundation, EIRIS is an independent, not-for-profit organization, working to help our clients develop the market in ways that benefit investors, asset managers and the wider world. Its mission is to empower responsible investors with independent assessments of companies and advice on integrating them with investment decisions. EIRIS now provides responsible investment services to more than 100 asset owners, asset managers, banks, stock brokers and governments around the world—as well as major index providers. EIRIS has 30 years' experience of promoting responsible investment and helping consumers, charities and advisers invest responsibly. EIRIS has offices in London, Paris and Boston. EIRIS’ Boston office has been established since 2005. In addition to overseas offices, EIRIS has a global network of research partners to further extend its research coverage and keep abreast of responsible investment issues at the local level.

EIRIS Conflict Risk Network

EIRIS Conflict Risk Network

EIRIS Conflict Risk Network unites institutional investors, financial service providers and related stakeholders calling upon corporate actors to fulfill their responsibility to respect human rights and to take steps that support peace and stability in areas affected by genocide and mass atrocities. The Network’s goal is to increase such behavior by corporate actors and thereby reduce conflict risk.

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