MSCI, a provider of investment decision support tools, including indices, portfolio risk and performance analytics and corporate governance services, has become a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment.
The UN PRI is a global initiative supporting the integration of environmental, social and governance factors into institutional investing practices.
There are currently over 800 UN PRI signatories from 45 countries, collectively representing more than USD22trn in assets under management. They include asset owners, investment managers, as well as service providers such as MSCI.
“Investing in companies who exhibit principles of strong corporate governance and who are committed to sustainable environmental and social practices is becoming increasingly important for our clients,” says Henry Fernandez, chairman and chief executive of MSCI. “By becoming a UN PRI signatory, we are demonstrating our commitment to provide critical investment decision support tools to the growing number of investors throughout the world who are focusing on long-term sustainable investing.”
James Gifford, executive director, UN PRI, says: “We welcome MSCI as a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment. MSCI’s ESG business, formerly RiskMetrics, has been working in this space for many years and has been a strong supporter of the UN PRI. With the whole of MSCI signing up, there is real potential to leverage the index business along with the ESG business and promote the ESG agenda within mainstream investment.”
