PRI Enhanced Research Portal

• Overview
• Frequently asked questions

Overview

Visit the PRI Enhanced Research Portal at: http://research.unpri.org

The PRI Enhanced Research Portal is an effort to stimulate increased volumes of timely and transparent analysis covering ESG issues and their implications for companies, sectors and markets. This project will encourage research buyers to work collaboratively to communicate research expectations and signal the type of analysis that is most useful. The PRI Enhanced Research Portal has clear benefits for both research providers and consumers. Leading providers will have a platform on which to promote their enhanced research to the entirety of the PRI's signatories. For their part, PRI signatories will gain a definitive catalogue of quality ESG research and all relevant details for acquiring the full research reports. 

The launch of the PRI Enhanced Research Portal is the first move from the PRI to extend the work of the Enhanced Analytics Initiative (EAI). The EAI has been a ground-breaking initiative and a real global industry catalyst. As a result of the work of the EAI, there is evidence of significant improvement in the quality and depth of research, and in how research is integrated into the investment decision-making process. The next phase of research growth requires the involvement of a much more international group of investors.

Guiding this new project are several insights concluded by EAI in its final report, "Research centre stage: Four years of the Enhanced Analytics Initiative."

• High-quality research drives better investment decisions
• ESG issues are a component of high-quality research
• Quality research requires adequate resourcing
• Investors must articulate their needs
• Good research demands broader market usage
• Successes to date drive the need for evolution
• Integration is a challenge, but the challenge can be met
• The timing and incentives are right for the next phase of enhanced research

Connecting PRI signatories to quality ESG research

Research providers can showcase their research by inputting brief descriptions of the analysis into a dedicated web-based tool. PRI signatories (asset owner and investment manager categories only) can access the portal using a unique login and are able to search the catalogue of available ESG research using both general and ESG-specific filters. By selecting the desired research title, the user can read the report summary (as provided by the research provider). The user will also be provided with all relevant information and contact details for acquiring the research. As a fully optional feature, research providers may upload a full research report to the portal (or provide a URL) if they chose to make the report publicly available to all buy-side users of the portal. 

Access to a growing global PRI signatory base

By entering basic information on a report and categorising the research content, a research provider can showcase the report to the PRI signatory base. Research provider users will be required to enter a description of the research report, including an indication of interest for asset owner/manager users (i.e. the "added value" for PRI signatories – analysis of material ESG issues, very long-term outlook, etc.). All research reports must be consistent with the "Guidelines for eligible research" The database will provide an additional channel for distributing ESG-inclusive research to a large number of interested asset owners and asset managers. Research providers can choose to make a report available to PRI asset owners and managers by uploading a PDF of the research or by providing an external URL. However, this is not a requirement of the database – the key is that the asset owner and manager users of the database understand the report content and coverage, and whom to contact at the research provider if they are interested in receiving the research.

Frequently asked questions

How can I register to use the platform?

Please visit http://research.unpri.org If you are a PRI signatory, you can also access the ERP via the PRI signatory intranet.

Does this mean the database is providing full research reports free of charge to PRI signatories?

No, the purpose of the PRI Enhanced Research Portal is to provide a snap-shot and up-to-date catalogue identifying what ESG research exists. In doing so, the platform provides research providers with a larger market for their analysis. Each research provider user will have control over what information is made available to asset owner/manager users.

Who will have access to the database?

All asset owner/manager-classified PRI signatories and EAI members will have access to the report information showcased in the database. Research provider users will not have access to the central database with report information entered by other research provider users. Service provider PRI signatories will not have access to the database.

Do Research Providers have to be PRI signatories to post research to the new database?

No.

Will research providers be expected to upload the research reports into the database?

No. Uploading research is an optional feature of the database. It is anticipated that research provider users will use the database primarily for the purpose of alerting asset owner/manager users to the presence of a report. Asset owner/manager users will not be able to purchase the report through the database.

If the report is publicly available, research providers may (at their discretion) upload the report itself in PDF format or provide a URL for accessing the research. For all research that must be purchased, research providers will provide contact details for asset owner/manager users wishing to acquire the report. Alternatively, a URL can be entered if the research provider has a password-protected website for existing clients to access the research.

I am a research provider interested in participating. How do I know if my research is eligible?

Research providers must submit reports that are consistent with the “Guidelines for eligible research.” These guidelines ensure the core offering of quality, investor-relevant, ESG research is retained.

Will these reports be reviewed before submission?

A dedicated moderator and user group committee of asset managers will monitor submissions ex post to ensure the ESG content of the reports uploaded meet eligibility guidelines. Where necessary the moderator will exclude research from the database on the basis of ineligibility.

As a research provider user, will I have access to the main database and summaries of the research offerings of other providers?

No. Research provider users will be able to upload and manage only their research and will not have access to the central database which aggregates all uploaded research. To provide feedback, research providers will be able to access real-time statistics regarding traffic in the portal (e.g. Number of articles uploaded by providers; Number of asset owner/manager users who have viewed research).

What is the status of the EAI 5% commitment going forward?

The 5% commitment will be continued at the discretion of individual EAI members. This commitment will not be transferred to non-EAI, PRI signatories using this database. Going forward, individual PRI signatories may choose to extend a similar commitment at their discretion.