Our policy approach
Public policy critically affects the ability of institutional investors to generate sustainable returns and create value. It also affects the sustainability and stability of financial markets, as well as social, environmental and economic systems.
Policy engagement by institutional investors is therefore a natural and necessary extension of an investor’s responsibilities and fiduciary duties to the interests of beneficiaries.
Our global policy work
Since 2013, the PRI’s global policy priorities have been defined by PRI’s mission and six Principles. Through its Blueprint for Responsible Investment, the PRI has committed to address unsustainable aspects of the markets that investors operate in, to achieve the economically efficient, sustainable global financial system that responsible investors and beneficiaries need.
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Principle 1: We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes. |
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Principle 2: We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices. |
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Principle 3: We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest. |
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Principle 4: We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry. |
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Principle 5: We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles. |
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Principle 6: We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles. |
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Our policy process
The PRI actively engages with public policy where relevant to our Principles and mission. In doing so, the PRI will:
- Respond to policy consultations, where relevant.
- Base its comments on high-quality research containing well-considered arguments and proposals that are rigorously defendable.
- Make recommendations for policy makers.
The PRI will not seek to represent the views of the whole signatory base or indicate that research or recommendations represent the views of signatories collectively; nor will it engage in policy activities intended to broadly support a specific national or sub-national political party or parties.
In responding to policy consultations, the PRI will:
- Publish the consultation on the PRI Collaboration Platform.
- Encourage signatories to provide feedback.
- Share policy positions with the PRI Global and Regional Policy Reference Groups (GPRG and RPRGs).
- Publish consultation responses, technical briefings and policy-related research on the PRI website.
An overview
The PRI works to achieve a sustainable global financial system by encouraging adoption of the Principles and their implementation; fostering good governance, integrity and accountability; and by addressing obstacles to a sustainable financial system that lie within market practices, structures and regulation.
PRI’s annual policy priorities
The PRI provides annually a compendium of current policy analysis relevant to creating an enabling environment for responsible investment globally and across key jurisdictions.
It includes country-based policy focus areas and recommendations to support responsible and sustainable investment ecosystems, reflecting PRI’s strategy, signatory feedback and policymaker agenda in different markets. The briefing also presents core policy positions, derived from PRI’s strategic objective to creating an enabling environment for responsible investment, and ongoing engagement with policy makers and signatories on sustainable finance policy reforms.
How can signatories engage with policymakers?
PRI’s “Sustainable Finance Policy Engagement handbook” provides signatories with:
- An explanation of why policy engagement matters.
- An overview of sustainable finance policy reform so far.
- The foundations of policy engagement, including practical recommendations.
- Examples of policy engagement by PRI signatories.
We encourage signatories to read this handbook, no matter their experience in sustainable finance policy engagement.
How signatories can get involved
The PRI encourages signatories to participate in policy activity through the following channels.
Attend an event
The PRI also hosts in person and online events on responsible investment policy and regulation. View upcoming events.
Join the Policy Collaboration
Signatories can join the Policy Collaboration, via the Collaboration Platform, to:
- Proactively share policy updates, identify comment opportunities and suggest positioning relevant to responsible investment.
- Provide comment and feedback on policy consultations.
- Provide comment and feedback on the PRI’s policy programme.
- Join our quarterly policy update calls.
Join our Global Policy Reference Group (GPRG)
The aim of the group is:
- To inform and strengthen PRI’s and our signatories’ public policy engagement on responsible investment topics.
- To share information on policy, regulation and related initiatives that encourage or require responsible investment practices.
- To encourage greater alignment between our signatories’ responsible investment commitments and public policy efforts.
- Ultimately, a regulatory environment aligned with the PRI’s Mission and six Principles.
The PRI also engages on a regional level through groups within the GPRG.
Policy professionals at PRI signatories are welcome to join the group. The current membership and terms of reference of the GPRG are listed on our advisory committee page.
Keep in touch
The PRI policy team publishes a monthly policy briefing sharing key developments on relevant policies and regulations, ongoing consultations, events and policy publications.
Subscribe to the monthly policy briefing
Contact us
To find out more, get in touch with the policy team.
- The PRI is an investor initiative in partnership with UNEP Finance Initiative and UN Global Compact.
- PRI Association, 1st Floor 20 Wood Street, London EC2V 7AF United Kingdom
- Company no: 7207947
- +44 (0)20 3714 3141
- [email protected]