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Calvert actively participates in numerous initiatives and organizations. Initiatives such as the UN Global Compact and the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) allow Calvert to create, monitor, and demonstrate best practices in financial services and other industries all over the world.
Calvert recently participated in efforts by each of these organizations to publish reports on the links between finance and environmental, social, and governance issues. One report, published by the UN Global Compact, is titled, "Who Cares Wins: Connecting Financial Markets to a Changing World." The report is a set of recommendations aimed at increasing the integration of environmental, social, and governance issues into analysis, brokerage, and asset management. The other report, published by the UNEP FI Asset Management Working Group, is called, "The Materiality of Social, Environmental and Corporate Governance Issues to Equity Pricing." The report is comprised of 11 sector studies by mainstream investment analysts that provide concrete examples of how environmental and governance issues affect the bottom line.
Calvert is also a member of numerous organizations, both domestically and internationally, whose work is critical to us. Examples of such organizations include the Social Investment Forum, the European Social Investment Forum, and the Association for Socially Responsible Investment in Asia.
Calvert also partners with like-minded organizations, such as NGOs and other socially responsible investment companies, to reach a common goal. Such partnerships allow us to engage companies and affect change to a greater extent than if we were to rely solely on our internal human and other resources.
UN Global Compact
In 1999, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan challenged business leaders to join an international initiative - the Global Compact - that would bring companies together with UN agencies, labor and civil society to support nine core principles in the areas of human rights, labor and the environment. Calvert is proud to support the UN Global Compact, and in 2001 was invited to join its advisory council. We commend this tremendous initiative to improve corporate responsibility at all levels by companies. As a socially responsible investment firm, we recognize the growing influence of corporations, and the challenges and opportunities posed by an increasingly global economy. We recognize that today's social and economic issues have a way of becoming tomorrow's economic problems. We believe that companies operating with integrity toward their employees, community and the environment will be better positioned in the long run. It is clear that Calvert's commitment to building a more sustainable and inclusive world is closely linked to the core objectives of the UN Global Compact. By participating in the UN Global Compact, we re-affirm our commitment to corporate responsibility and citizenship, and to share our good practices and learning with the global community. For more information about how Calvert implements the Global Compact, please see our:
Partnerships
Calvert also partners with like-minded organizations. Such partnerships allow us to engage companies and affect change to a greater extent than if we were to rely solely on our internal human and other resources. For example, Calvert and Trillium Asset Management recently co-sponsored a report from the Pacific Institute that highlights the risks posed to businesses by increasing water scarcity and deteriorating water quality. At times, Calvert also co-files shareholder resolutions with other socially responsible investment firms. More information about the resolutions Calvert has co-filed with other socially responsible investment firms can be found on the Shareholder Advocacy section of this site.
Calvert also partners with non-financial organizations. Calvert has co-filed several shareholder resolutions with the Treasurer of the State of Connecticut in seeking increased diversity of corporate boards. The Treasurer's office also adopted Calvert's Model Charter Language on Board Diversity, and in turn asked Connecticut's 100 largest companies to do the same. In a partnership with Transparency International, Calvert is urging companies to develop policies prohibiting corrupt practices. Calvert launched this campaign to encourage greater disclosure and transparency on corporate bribery and corruption by sending almost 100 letters to the CEOs of OECD-based companies we invest in. We continue to receive positive responses from companies pledging to develop policies against corruption and bribery. Calvert also works closely with As You Sow Foundation, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and the Grassroots Recycling Network to dialogue with major computer companies to encourage them to improve computer take-back and recycling programs. Calvert is working with the U.S. Environment Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Program to bolster outreach and education about the financial benefits of sound energy management. In addition, Calvert worked with Forest Ethics to encourage Staples to launch a new environmental policy and management program that commit the company to cease sourcing wood from endangered forests and to increase the recycled content of its paper to 30%. Calvert is also currently partnering with: Rockefeller Foundation on increasing access to essential medicines in the developing world; World Institute on Disability on shareholder advocacy efforts on access for people with disabilities; UNEP FI and the UN Global Compact to examine predictive sustainability metrics; Asria on Corporate Responsibility in Japan; Friends of the Earth's "International Right to Know" campaign; and Corporate Sunshine Working Group on increasing disclosure of environmental liabilities.
Memberships
Calvert is a member of numerous organizations, both domestically and internationally, whose work is critical to us. These organizations strive to promote and support socially responsible investing, corporate social responsible and philanthropic efforts locally and globally.
Memberships in industry and business associations and or advocacy organizations include:
- CERES (Board Member)
- Social Investment Forum (Board Member)
- European Social Investment Forum
- Association for Socially Responsible Investment in Asia
- Echoing Green (Board Member)
- Greater Washington Board of Trade (Board Member)
- Director Services Committee for the Investment Company Institute
- Women's Economic Roundtable (Board Member)
- Women's Initiative Network Advisory Board (Advisor)
- Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities (Advisory Committee)
- Women's Campaign Fund (Board Member)
- Cultural Alliance of Washington, DC (Board Member)
- Trickle Up Program (Board Member)
- Greater DC Cares (Board Member)
- Board of Visitors: Howard University School of Law
- Leadership Washington
- Committee of 200
- Women's Forum of Washington
- Financial Women's Association of NY, Washington Chapter
- National Association of Securities Professionals
- Women of Washington
- Leadership Montgomery
- American Institute of CPAs
- Society for Human Resources Management
- Corporate Volunteer Council (Board Member)
- Maryland Work-Life Alliance (Advisory Council)
- Points of Light Foundation
- Metropolitan Work-Life Coalition
- American Academy of Management
- American Society of Training and Development
- Adolescent Employment Readiness Council (Advisory Council)
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