The £12bn Church Investors Group, made up of 46 members connected
with churches predominantly located in Britain and Ireland, is pleased
to report positive progress on its initiative encouraging UK companies
to take action to disclose and manage their carbon emissions. The Carbon Disclosure Project's (CDP) FTSE350 Climate Change Report revealed that 72% of the 53 companies contacted by the CIG because they were considered to be laggards, have improved their CDP score.
This initiative forms part of the CIG’s wider efforts to encourage environmentally responsible business practices in the businesses its members invest in.
Bill Seddon, Vice-Chair of CIG, said: “Members of the Church Investors Group take seriously our responsibility for promoting good stewardship of our planet and are committed to using our influential position as shareholders to persuade companies to consider their environmental impact. Yesterday's CDP report highlighted the key role that the engagement work of church investors plays in promoting long-term thinking by the companies we invest in, as we encourage the transition to a low carbon economy”.
Richard Nunn, Chair of the CIG, thanked the CDP for their continued work: “Recent evidence from the scientific community reinforces the long held view that the actions of all of us are having a serious impact upon global temperatures. The Carbon Disclosure Project has continuously led the way in encouraging companies to manage their greenhouse gas emissions effectively and we are pleased that companies are striving to improve their score year on year”.
Members of the Church Investors Group have also joined with other influential investors in the 'Aiming for A' initiative, coordinated by fund manager CCLA. Together, the group seeks to encourage ten major UK-listed utilities and extractives companies to aim for inclusion in CDP’s Climate Performance Leadership Index (CPLI).
Jackie Turpin, Head of Finance for the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, a member of the Church Investors Group, remarked: “We were delighted to learn, following our engagement over the course of 2013, that BG Group has achieved the requirements needed to be awarded an A grade for their disclosure and performance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions”.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales is a member of the CIG.
For more information see: http://www.churchinvestorsgroup.org.uk/