NYSE Euronext launches ESG indices to meet growing demand

Responsible-investor.com reported today that NYSE Euronext has partnered with French consulting firm Vigeo to launch a range of ESG indices to respond to the growing demand for responsible investing.  The indices will cover global stocks, European stocks, United Kingdom stocks and United States stocks by the end of June, and will comprise companies that Vigeo ranks highest for corporate responsibility and contribution to sustainable development according to 38 different criteria.

The range of criteria is intended as a “benchmark for fund managers and companies interested in communicating their commitment to responsible behavior to employees, shareholders, business partners and customers,” according to the article.  The indices launch also comes as the NYSE is in the process of being acquired by IntercontinentalExchange (ICE), an $8billion deal that was announced in December 2012.

What do you think of the ESG indices? Is it a good idea? Do you think it will help investors make investment decisions, and provide for greater transparency? Discuss!

Giving Thanks

As we approach another Thanksgiving celebration this week, it’s an ideal time to take pause and reflect on the many blessings in our lives.  And, instead of thinking about what we want “more” of, why not think about those things we already have to cherish and preserve?  Just  think about the 3 Ps of sustainability–People, Planet and Prosperity–all of which we can easily take for granted.  Yet, if we pause and reflect on each of these elements in our personal and business lives, I’m confident everyone can find things for which to be thankful and reconsider why we may want “more”.  Instead, perhaps we should spend more time reflecting on everyday life experiences to unveil the obvious (yet often unobvious) blessings we’ve already been given.

A good friend of mine sent me a Thanksgiving message this morning in which he described the many experiences we shared during this past year and for which we should be thankful.  He described our “times of joy, instruction, change, development, mission, sorrow, faith, loss, hope, formation, comfort, gain, rest, challenge, strength and love. ”  And, while some of these descriptives may not be ones for which you would typically give thanks, it made me realize that all of life’s experiences are blessings (or blessings in disguise). 

I certainly don’t need more.  But, I do need to do more with less.  And, if we all consider doing the same, our world will be enriched as a result.

– Margie Flynn