Opalesque Sovereign Wealth Funds Briefing » Ethical/Green Investments http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing Wed, 22 May 2013 02:06:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Green sovereign wealth http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13190 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13190#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 03:43:36 +0000 admin http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13190 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13190>Article Link</a> At the end of 2011, sovereign-wealth funds’ assets under management amounted to $3 trillion, following 237 direct investments worth $81 billion that year. Some experts even estimate SWFs’ assets to be worth $6 trillion. This means that SWFs, the avatars of state capitalism, are now twice as rich as the world’s hedge funds, the totems of liberal capitalism’s excesses. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13190 Superannuation Fund blacklists mining firms http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13186 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13186#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 04:47:37 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13186 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13186>Article Link</a> The New Zealand Superannuation Fund has sold its stakes in Barrick Gold and one of its subsidiaries over human rights and environmental concerns, and has blacklisted the firms. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13186 Norway excludes Schweitzer-Maudit and Huabao from wealth fund http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13160 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13160#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 03:47:08 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13160 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13160>Article Link</a> Norway’s sovereign-wealth fund, the world’s largest, excluded Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc. (SWM) and Huabao International Holdings Ltd. (336) from its portfolio because of their involvement in tobacco production. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13160 Norway’s fund excludes RTL firms http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13159 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13159#comments Thu, 09 May 2013 03:45:22 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13159 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13159>Article Link</a> The Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global divested its interests in both companies because the two companies produce reconstituted tobacco leaf or RTL. In a statement, the two firms were excluded from the US$740 billion portfolio after the Council of Ethics recommended their removal for that specific reason. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13159 Norwegian Pension Fund to divest from Equatorial Guinea oil operations http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13102 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13102#comments Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:00:53 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13102 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13102>Article Link</a> Norway has revealed plans to sell all shares owned by its sovereign wealth fund - Norwegian Pension Fund Global - in oil firms with operations in Equatorial Guinea. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13102 Oil fund questions oil giant’s ethics http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13084 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13084#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:18:32 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13084 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13084>Article Link</a> The state-appointed ethics council that oversees investments made by Norway’s huge oil-fueled sovereign wealth fund is questioning whether operations by US oil giant ExxonMobil in Equatorial Guinea violate “fundamental ethical norms.” If so, the fund may need to sell off its ExxonMobil stock. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13084 Azerbaijani State Oil Fund to allocate AZN 30 mln for students’ education abroad this year http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13078 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13078#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:17:07 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13078 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13078>Article Link</a> The State Oil Fund will allocate AZN 30 million for the education of Azerbaijani students abroad this year, said Minister of Education Misir Mardanov in his speech at the presentation ceremony on the development of Information Management System and new website regarding “State Program on education of Azerbaijan youth abroad in 2007-2015” held in the Ministry of Education, APA reports. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13078 Mumtalakat supports the palm association http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13022 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13022#comments Mon, 15 Apr 2013 03:36:08 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13022 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=13022>Article Link</a> Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat), the investment arm of the Kingdom of Bahrain, announces its support to the Palm Association. The association raises funding with the aim of helping needy Bahraini families and making a difference in their lives by providing food parcels, educational sponsorships and home improvements. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=13022 Khazanah sees up to 10pct more CR funding in 2013 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12989 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12989#comments Mon, 08 Apr 2013 03:49:34 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12989 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12989>Article Link</a> Khazanah Nasional Bhd expects its corporate responsibility (CR) funding to see a 5% to 10% increase this year from RM62.4 million in 2012, said its managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar. Since 2004, total funding for Khazanah’s CR initiatives amounted to RM255 million, benefiting over 500,000 individuals nationwide. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12989 Qatar’s Hassad Food buys majority stake in Bush Foods http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12973 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12973#comments Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:21:26 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12973 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12973>Article Link</a> Leading basmati rice company Bush Foods Overseas Ltd today said it has sold majority stake in the company to Qatar-based investment firm Hassad Food for more than $ 100 million. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12973 Australia’s Future Fund stubs out tobacco http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12961 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12961#comments Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:26:56 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12961 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12961>Article Link</a> Australia’s Future Fund has extinguished its tobacco industry stakes. Announced in February, the move had been widely anticipated since David Gonski, chairman of the A$82.4 billion ($85.5 billion) sovereign wealth fund’s board of guardians, said last October that the board would review these holdings. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12961 Karuturi to borrow from sovereign fund after first Ethiopia crop http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12960 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12960#comments Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:26:42 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12960 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12960>Article Link</a> Karuturi Global Ltd. (KARG), the world’s largest rose grower, said it will borrow more than $100 million from a sovereign wealth fund to invest in farming in East Africa after selling its first produce from a plantation in Ethiopia. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12960 QIA’s Hassad Food eyes new investments in Pakistan http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12897 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12897#comments Fri, 15 Mar 2013 03:54:15 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12897 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12897>Article Link</a> Qatar has plans to expand its food security options in Pakistan and the state-owned corporation, Hassad Food, has opened an office in Lahore, Pakistan’s ambassador Mohamed Sarfraz A Khanzada said. Hassad Food was established by the Qatar Investment Authority in 2008 with a capital of $1bn to secure food supplies through agricultural investments worldwide. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12897 Future Fund gives the flick to tobacco shares http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12809 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12809#comments Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:23:44 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12809 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12809>Article Link</a> The Future Fund will drop tobacco producers from its investment portfolio. The chairman of the fund’s board, David Gonski, announced on Thursday that primary tobacco producers would be excluded after a review of investments by the board’s governance committee. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12809 Future Fund drops tobacco: Should fossil fuels be next? http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12808 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12808#comments Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:23:22 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12808 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12808>Article Link</a> After a year long public campaign, the Future Fund has today announced plans to end its $222 million investment in tobacco.The decision follows much debate about whether the Future Fund should engage in ethical or socially responsible investments. In announcing the move today, the chair of the Future Fund David Gonski commented: (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12808 Australia’s Future Fund drops tobacco investments http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12807 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12807#comments Thu, 28 Feb 2013 03:41:34 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12807 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12807>Article Link</a> Australia’s US$86 billion state pension fund will sell off its 222 million Australian dollar (US$228 million) of holdings in tobacco companies after considering the health problems caused by smoking. The decision by the Future Fund also comes after the government recently introduced tough new plain-packaging laws for tobacco products. The Fund’s move was widely expected after the Future Fund said in October it was reviewing its tobacco holdings. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12807 Greens slam Future Fund over big tobacco http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12728 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12728#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2013 03:55:41 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12728 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12728>Article Link</a> The Australian Greens have again raised concerns about the Future Fund investing in tobacco companies. The government-owned fund, run by an independent board, has investments of $221 million in 15 tobacco companies, a Senate Estimates hearing was told on Tuesday. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12728 Greens slam Future Fund over big tobacco http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12723 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12723#comments Wed, 13 Feb 2013 04:03:13 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12723 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12723>Article Link</a> A Labor backbencher says he would like the Future Fund to make more moral investments, but understands it’s not a perfect world. The Australian Greens have again raised concerns about the Future Fund investing in tobacco companies. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12723 Future Fund buys more tobacco shares http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12714 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12714#comments Tue, 12 Feb 2013 04:32:03 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12714 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12714>Article Link</a> The Government’s multi-billion dollar Future Fund has revealed it increased its shareholding in tobacco companies in the lead-up to last year’s announcement that it was reviewing its investment strategy. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12714 Future Fund mulling over tobacco investments http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12681 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12681#comments Wed, 06 Feb 2013 04:10:50 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12681 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12681>Article Link</a> The Future Fund will soon decide whether it will keep investing in the tobacco industry, the managing director revealed at a portfolio update on Tuesday morning. The regular quarterly update showed the fund’s investments returned 12.8 per cent in 2012, increasing the portfolio from $73 billion to $82.4 billion. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12681 Super fund eyes farms offshore http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12605 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12605#comments Tue, 22 Jan 2013 01:28:06 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12605 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12605>Article Link</a> The New Zealand Superannuation Fund is considering buying more overseas farmland amid growing demand for food in emerging markets like China and Indonesia.The fund’s general manager of investments, Matt Whineray, has told Reuters news agency that the $21 billion fund is aiming to increase its allocation for crop, dairy and livestock farming operations from less than 1% to 3%. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12605 Wealth funds can tap low-carbon economy http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12598 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12598#comments Mon, 21 Jan 2013 04:58:00 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12598 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12598>Article Link</a> Energy and finance leaders discussed ways to encourage greater private sector investment in renewable energy and low-carbon, climate-friendly projects as a tactic to mitigate climate change and diversify the global energy mix. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12598 Norway excludes nuclear arms component makers from oil fund http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12554 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12554#comments Mon, 14 Jan 2013 03:57:35 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12554 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12554>Article Link</a> Norway’s sovereign-wealth fund excluded U.S.-based engineering companies Babcock & Wilcox Co. (BWC) and Jacobs Engineering Group Inc (JEC) from its investment portfolio because of their production of nuclear arms components. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12554 China eyes Australia’s dairy sector http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12545 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12545#comments Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:31:17 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12545 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12545>Article Link</a> With growing demand to keep its population fed, China is on the lookout for assets around the world as they seek to cash in on Asia’s booming food demand and secure sufficient supplies for the future. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12545 China’s sovereign wealth fund vies for Australian dairy stake http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12539 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12539#comments Thu, 10 Jan 2013 04:12:10 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12539 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12539>Article Link</a> China Investment Corp. is among three large funds vying to take a stake in Australian dairy producer Van Diemen’s Land Co., or VDL. Executives from China’s US$482 billion fund are due to visit Tasmania state in February for further discussions over investing in the company, which is seeking to raise 180 million Australian dollars (US$189 million) to expand its milk production, two people familiar with the matter said. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12539 Super fund is giving up on cigarettes http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12532 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12532#comments Thu, 10 Jan 2013 04:03:56 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12532 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12532>Article Link</a> The superannuation fund for health and community services workers has become the latest fund to dump its investments in tobacco. The chief executive of the Health Employees Superannuation Trust Australia (HESTA), Anne-Marie Corboy, confirmed the fund had started removing tobacco investments from its portfolios, following a decision by the fund’s board late last year. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12532 Ethical NZ Super strikes at Israeli companies http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12432 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12432#comments Mon, 17 Dec 2012 03:10:49 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12432 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12432>Article Link</a> The $US 16 billion New Zealand Superannuation Fund, which regularly ranks at the top of various sovereign wealth fund governance charts, has sold its small holdings in three Israeli companies for ethical reasons after a review of its passive international portfolio. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12432 China Investment Corporation eyes BC forests, spells FIPA danger http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12422 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12422#comments Fri, 14 Dec 2012 04:03:51 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12422 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12422>Article Link</a> The China Investment Corporation (ICI), one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, is set to become a powerful landowner in British Columbia if a $100 million deal with Island Timberlands, the second-largest owner of private forests in the province, goes through. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12422 NZ Super drops firms over Israel-Palestine positions http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12419 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12419#comments Thu, 13 Dec 2012 04:16:35 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12419 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12419>Article Link</a> New Zealand Superannuation Fund has excluded three companies from its US$17 billion portfolio for their roles in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The sovereign wealth fund passively held shares of Africa Israel Investments, its subsidiary construction company, Danya Cebus, and Shikun & Binui in its global equity portfolio. The Israel-based holding/construction companies transgressed NZ Super’s relatively strict responsible investing policy and cannot reenter the portfolio until in they are compliance. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12419 Khazanah allocates RM10 mln to protect national parks from erosion http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12414 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12414#comments Thu, 13 Dec 2012 04:15:21 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12414 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12414>Article Link</a> Khazanah Nasional Berhad has given its commitment to allocate RM10 million to protect Pulau Kukup National Park and Tanjung Piai National Park from coastal erosion, Johor National Park Corporation director Suhairi Hashim said.
(more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12414 SWFs and world’s biggest investors still ‘reckless’ on climate risk: study http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12398 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12398#comments Tue, 11 Dec 2012 05:07:46 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12398 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12398>Article Link</a> A newly released survey of the world’s largest retirement funds, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds’ has found the industry’s overall management of climate risk to be vastly inadequate, with many funds lacking any form of climate policy, and many more failing to adjust their investment decisions as a result of climate change. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12398 Norway’s Pension Fund vows to purge holdings that drive deforestation http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12255 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12255#comments Fri, 16 Nov 2012 03:58:24 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12255 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12255>Article Link</a> When it comes to saving the world’s dwindling rainforest, Norway has been a leader in guiding the world toward sustainable forest management. The small country pledged $500 million annually toward REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation) in 2007. These efforts, however, have largely been offset by the Norwegian Government Pension Fund-Global, (GPFG), which currently has US $13.7 billion invested in sectors known to be major drivers of deforestation. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12255 Norway’s $650bln pension fund to require deforestation disclosure among portfolio companies http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12227 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12227#comments Tue, 13 Nov 2012 04:48:10 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12227 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12227>Article Link</a> Norway’s $650 billion sovereign wealth fund will ask companies in which it invests to disclose their impacts on tropical forests, as part of its effort to reduce deforestation, reports Reuters. The move could usher in broader reporting on the forest footprint of operations and boost eco-certification initiatives. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12227 Norway fund tightens rules to protect forests http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12213 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12213#comments Mon, 12 Nov 2012 02:18:50 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12213 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12213>Article Link</a> Norway’s $650 billion sovereign wealth fund has started asking companies it invests in to minimize their impact on rainforests, green groups said on Friday, welcoming a shift they hoped would make it rethink some deals. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12213 Green Bill will help clean up Super Fund investments http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12198 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12198#comments Thu, 08 Nov 2012 04:32:34 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12198 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12198>Article Link</a> The Green Party is urging all other parties to support changes to the responsible investment criteria used by the New Zealand Superannuation Fund following their Climate Change (NZ Superannuation Fund) Bill being drawn from the members’ ballot. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12198 Gonski defends Future Fund credentials and tobacco share holdings http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12127 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12127#comments Tue, 30 Oct 2012 05:00:19 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12127 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12127>Article Link</a> Future Fund chairman David Gonski has sought to defend the fund’s social and environmental credentials, responding to criticism of its contentious stake in the tobacco industry. Gonski, one of the best-connected businessmen in corporate Australia, also said he had bolstered the fund’s handling of conflicts of interest since he began running the $80.5 billion investment giant in March. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12127 Future Fund plans to review investment in tobacco http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12115 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12115#comments Mon, 29 Oct 2012 03:22:08 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12115 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12115>Article Link</a> A decision by the Future Fund to review its investment in tobacco companies has been applauded by health groups and the Greens. The National Heart Foundation of Australia welcomed the move but called for the review to be “transparent and open”. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12115 Greens back fund re-think on tobacco http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12105 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12105#comments Fri, 26 Oct 2012 03:40:48 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12105 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12105>Article Link</a> The Australian Greens have welcomed a decision by the Future Fund to review its investments in tobacco companies. Greens senator Richard Di Natale, who has been pushing the fund to make more ethical investments, says investing hundreds of millions in such a “toxic industry” makes no sense. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12105 Heart Foundation welcomes review of Future Fund tobacco investments http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12104 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12104#comments Fri, 26 Oct 2012 03:40:36 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12104 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12104>Article Link</a> The National Heart Foundation of Australia is welcoming the announcement that the Future Fund is reviewing its investment of taxpayers’ funds in tobacco companies, but has called for the review to be transparent and open. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12104 Future Fund to review tobacco investment http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12096 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12096#comments Thu, 25 Oct 2012 04:21:33 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12096 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12096>Article Link</a> The Future Fund will follow the lead of superannuation funds including First State Super and reviewing its multi-million investments in tobacco companies. Mark Burgess, chief executive of the $80 billion fund announced the governance committee had agreed to consider removing some or all of the fund’s $219 million in tobacco investments from its portfolio. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12096 Israel: Gas fund won’t aid defense spending http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12095 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12095#comments Thu, 25 Oct 2012 04:21:22 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12095 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12095>Article Link</a> The sovereign wealth fund that will control the government’s proceeds from Israel’s natural gas reserves will not be used to help defray the cost of protecting the gas installations, a government panel decided Tuesday. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12095 Future Fund declines to reveal climate risk plans http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12066 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12066#comments Fri, 19 Oct 2012 04:40:32 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12066 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12066>Article Link</a> Australia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Future Fund, has snubbed a request to reveal how it plans to manage climate change risks, declaring ‘‘resource constraints’’ prevented its involvement, according to an advocacy group. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12066 Future Fund ‘under-resourced’ on climate risks http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12065 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12065#comments Fri, 19 Oct 2012 04:40:20 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12065 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12065>Article Link</a> Still smarting over a Senate Committee gruelling over its tobacco investments, the Future Fund - the largest fund in Australia - is being accused of insufficient transparency over climate-change risk mitigation within its portfolio. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12065 Greens to push for sovereign savings fund http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12064 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12064#comments Fri, 19 Oct 2012 04:40:10 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12064 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12064>Article Link</a> The Greens will put a sovereign wealth fund back on the political agenda in the new year by formally moving for the fund to be established and asking the Productivity Commission to investigate the best method for Australia. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12064 Hewson attacks $75bln Future Fund over climate risk http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12049 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12049#comments Thu, 18 Oct 2012 04:20:19 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12049 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12049>Article Link</a> Economist and former federal Liberal leader John Hewson has criticised the Future Fund – Australia’s largest – for the way it manages, or fails to manage, the risks of climate change to its $75 billion portfolio. Hewson chairs the Asset Owners Disclosure Project, an organisation encouraging funds to recognise the long-term risks of climate change – both in policy terms and its physical events. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12049 Future Fund back in the firing line http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12035 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12035#comments Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:35:37 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12035 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12035>Article Link</a> The taxpayer-owned Future Fund invested more than $37 million in tobacco company stocks at the same time as the government was finalising the world’s first plain-packaging laws for tobacco products. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12035 Future Fund invested millions in tobacco shares http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12034 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12034#comments Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:35:26 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12034 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12034>Article Link</a> Leading health groups are calling on the Future Fund to divest itself of tobacco company shares, amid revelations it invested tens of millions of dollars in the sector as the Government was introducing plain packaging laws for cigarettes. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12034 Greens slam public service fund on tobacco http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12033 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12033#comments Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:35:14 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12033 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=12033>Article Link</a> The Australian Greens say the Future Fund is hiding behind “sham” practices to justify its investment in the shares of tobacco companies. Greens senator Richard Di Natale said it was appalling that the fund, which was set up to cover federal public service superannuation liabilities, was investing money in a toxic product. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=12033 China’s wealth fund keen on NZ council-owned Tasmanian farms http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11914 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11914#comments Tue, 25 Sep 2012 04:27:05 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11914 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11914>Article Link</a> China Investment Corp, the $US200 billion sovereign wealth fund, is in talks to invest in Van Diemen’s Land Co as the New Plymouth District Council-owned dairy farmer seeks to raise up to $A180 million to ramp up production. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=11914 Australian state courts dairy investment from China’s CIC http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11913 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11913#comments Tue, 25 Sep 2012 04:26:53 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11913 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11913>Article Link</a> Australia’s island state of Tasmania is courting dairy investments from China’s giant sovereign wealth fund, China Investment Corp, as the world’s most populous country looks overseas to secure food supplies. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=11913 China fund targets dairy industry http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11910 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11910#comments Mon, 24 Sep 2012 04:20:12 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11910 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11910>Article Link</a> China’s giant sovereign wealth fund is looking to make its first significant investment in the Australian dairy industry, as it tries to lock up food ­supplies for its growing middle class. In a potential test case for foreign investment laws, China Investment Corp, which is estimated to have $US190 billion to invest outside its home market, sent four executives to Tasmania this month. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=11910 Keep Future Fund out of tobacco: Greens http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11858 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11858#comments Thu, 13 Sep 2012 04:50:36 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11858 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11858>Article Link</a> post thumbnail

Richard Di NataleThe Future Fund needs ethical investment guidelines to ensure it doesn’t keep putting money into the tobacco and nuclear weapons manufacturing industries, the Greens say. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=11858 No future? End the Future Fund’s affair with Big Tobacco http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11857 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11857#comments Thu, 13 Sep 2012 04:50:24 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11857 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11857>Article Link</a> Australia has shown outstanding leadership on tobacco control – but it could do more. The next step is surely for the Future Fund to quit its addiction to tobacco investments. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=11857 A more ethical Future Fund isn’t a bad idea http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11786 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11786#comments Fri, 31 Aug 2012 04:30:56 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11786 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11786>Article Link</a> The proposal for a more ethical Future Fund could be better, says James Rose, but investors should join the conversation rather than throw their arms up in horror. Not for the first time, the Greens have caused some hubristic harrumphing from the business sector with an idea that shines a light into an area Big Business would rather remain darkened. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=11786 Oman India Joint Investment Fund to invest $13mln in Solar Industries http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11624 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11624#comments Wed, 01 Aug 2012 04:50:16 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11624 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11624>Article Link</a> Oman India Joint Investment Fund, a private equity fund sponsored by Oman’s sovereign wealth fund and India’s largest lender State Bank of India, will pick up 4.28 per cent of the expanded capital of the public-listed Solar Industries. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=11624 Future Fund nicotine fix draws fire http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11579 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11579#comments Tue, 24 Jul 2012 04:29:13 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11579 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11579>Article Link</a> Pressure is growing on the Future Fund to ditch $225 million of tobacco shares, with anti-smoking groups supporting calls for tougher rules on the assets it can hold. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=11579 Future Fund urged to quit tobacco investments http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11566 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11566#comments Mon, 23 Jul 2012 04:12:53 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11566 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11566>Article Link</a> The Greens’ push to force the Future Fund to ditch $225 million worth of tobacco shares has been supported by anti-smoking groups, who say the investments contradict government policy goals. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=11566 Super fund quits tobacco companies http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11558 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11558#comments Fri, 20 Jul 2012 05:02:48 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11558 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11558>Article Link</a> Superannuation Fund First State Super has wiped from its investment portfolios all companies involved in the manufacture of tobacco products, in a move welcomed by cancer specialists. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=11558 Qatar in the spotlight over Glenstrata activism http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11439 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11439#comments Tue, 03 Jul 2012 05:21:57 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11439 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11439>Article Link</a> Qatar’s new-found activist approach to the $58bn merger of Xstrata and Glencore has further distanced Qatar Holding from its regional sovereign wealth fund peers and placed it firmly in the spotlight. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=11439 Norway’s sovereign fund is pioneering a new investment model based on transparency and ethics http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11389 http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11389#comments Tue, 26 Jun 2012 04:26:30 +0000 VRS http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11389 <br> <a href=http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?p=11389>Article Link</a> Valued at US $611 billion at the end of March, the Norway Pension Fund—Global vies for the top spot of the sovereign wealth fund tree with the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. (more…)

]]> http://www.opalesque.com/SWF_Briefing/?feed=rss2&p=11389