The local division of activist group 350.org says Australian universities should follow Stanford University's lead, after it yesterday announced it would not invest in the coal industry.
Corporate sustainability managers should be aware that institutional investors are taking a close interest in sustainability risks, even if broking analysts often don't ask about them, says the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors.
Former climate change minister Greg Combet today urged institutional investors to take a stand against companies that try to avoid action on climate change.
Policy uncertainty about renewables and carbon is 'shining a great big spotlight on the issue of sovereign risk in this country', says a funds manager with $50 billion in assets under management.
Activist groups fighting Whitehaven's Maules Creek coal mine are targeting an international investor and have urged a society representing environmental consultants to investigate whether a member has breached its code of conduct.
Major investors will play an increasingly active role in ensuring fossil fuel companies manage their emissions, according to Nathan Fabian of the Investor Group on Climate Change.
Global investors with more than $3 trillion under management have asked 45 companies - including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, BP and Xstrata - to explain how they are planning for an 80% reduction in fossil fuel emissions by 2050.
Companies will be under more pressure to inform investors of their environmental risk management strategies, under proposed changes to ASX corporate governance guidelines.