Monthly Archives: March 2011

Voluntary Principles Participants Gather for Annual Plenary Meeting

Foley Hoag’s CSR practice serves as the Secretariat for the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (the "Voluntary Principles”).  The Voluntary Principles, a tripartite multi-stakeholder initiative established in 2000, provide guidance to companies in extractive industries on maintaining the safety and security of their operations within a framework that ensures respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Voluntary Principles urge companies to

recognize a commitment to act in a manner consistent with the laws of the countries in which they are present,… More

Shareholder Engagement and Constructive Dialogue on Human Rights

Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS") recently released a report on engagement between investors and public corporations in the United States that included the finding that this “engagement is expanding beyond financial and strategic issues and ‘traditional’ governance topics to include more environmental and social issues.” The report, The State of Engagement between U.S. Corporations and Shareholders, was based on a survey of 355 issuers of stock and 161 investors.… More

Coalition Launches Index To Measure and Manage the Apparel Industry’s Environmental Impacts

Thirty of the largest apparel manufacturers and retailers – together comprising an estimated 60% of global apparel sales – recently announced the formation of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. This group, which also includes academics, non-profits and the Environmental Protection Agency, is creating the industry’s first large-scale initiative to improve environmental and social performance through the establishment of standards and tools.

The Sustainable Apparel Index will be a tool for companies to evaluate the impacts of the entire life cycle of apparel products,… More