ESG investing giants under scrutiny for fueling rights abuses in Myanmar

To read this release in Burmese, click here. MSCI, FTSE Russell and S&P Dow Jones Indices, leading providers of investment indexes tailored for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)-focused investing, are violating the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct by promoting ESG-labeled investment in companies linked to Myanmar’s military. This is according to […]

Our submission to the UN Working Group regarding ESG investing and human rights

Inclusive Development International has responded to a call for input from the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights as it prepares a report on the topic of “Investors, ESG and Human Rights.” We applaud the Working Group for focusing its attention on the important—though often underappreciated—implications of ESG investing for human rights and […]

Accountability Counsel and Inclusive Development International advise on new Chinese-led accountability mechanism for the mining sector

The Responsible Critical Mineral Initiative (RCI)—formerly known as the Responsible Cobalt Initiative—and the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters (CCCMC), announced in November 2022 that they are creating a new accountability mechanism for the mining sector covering environmental, social and human rights issues in mineral value chains. As the […]

Human rights and environmental justice advocates respond to SEC’s proposed rules for ESG funds

Inclusive Development International joined Accountability Counsel and Friends of the Earth-US this week to submit comments responding to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed rules for “ESG” oriented investment funds, or funds that consider environmental, social and governance factors in their investment decisions. The groups commended the SEC for taking steps to address […]

ESG-labeled investments helped fund Russia’s war chest

ESG-labeled investments were directing large sums to companies directly linked to Russia’s government in the lead-up to its invasion of Ukraine, according to an investigation by Inclusive Development International. A review of financial records in early March revealed that these “socially responsible” funds had at least $319 million worth of holdings in five securities tied […]

“Responsible investment” is fueling human rights abuses in Myanmar

Companies with ties to Myanmar’s military are benefitting from over $13 billion in ESG-labeled investments, according to financial records and other information compiled and published today by Inclusive Development International and ALTSEAN-Burma. In their report, “The Myanmar ESG Files: How ‘responsible investment’ is enabling a military dictatorship,” the human rights advocacy groups document how hundreds […]