Emerging Markets Disclosure Project

The Emerging Markets Disclosure Project (EMDP) brought together partners from around the globe in a collaboration aimed at improving disclosure of environmental, social and governance data by companies in emerging markets. Over 2008-2012, country teams in Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa and South Korea engaged 72 companies and achieved their goal of advancing sustainability reporting in emerging markets…

In South Africa, a group of 10 invetors sent letters to the chairmen of 10  target companies. The selection of these companies was based primarily on their exclusion from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s (JSE) SRI Index, as well as the absence of strong GHG strategies, including a response to the CDP. As such, the engagement objective was to dialogue with these companies regarding the need to improve their overall ESG disclosure, which would hopefully lead to their inclusion in the subsequent JSE SRI Index .The letters also requested a conference call or in person meeting with company executives to address the investors’ concerns. As result of this project, the coalition of investors won reforms from Aspen Pharmacare Holdings¸ Naspers, Sasol, Shoprite Holdings, Steinhoff International and Tiger Brands, including improvements in sustainability reporting and policies.