The ABI today published its Responsible Investment Disclosure Guidelines.  These update and replace the Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) guidelines, launched by the ABI in 2001, which call on Boards of companies to confirm that they have assessed and are managing environmental, social and governance risks. 

The changes to the guidelines highlight aspects of responsibility reporting on which shareholders place particular value.  They also take into account new EU and UK legislation, including the Business Review.

Peter Montagnon, the ABI’s Director of Investment Affairs, said:

“The guidelines still call on Boards to report on their approach to managing environmental, social and governance risks, but they aim to help companies understand how to comply with the Business Review in ways that are useful to investors, without imposing additional requirements. 

“The ABI urges companies to focus on providing forward-looking information, establishing a clear policy for risk management, publishing Key Performance Indicators and a breakdown by business segment where appropriate, and describing how they actually handle environmental, social and governance risks of particular significance to the business”. 

ENDS

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