Most of the PRI’s impact is positive and happens indirectly via the work that we do to help our 2,500 signatories implement the Principles.
We have an impact on:
- our investor signatories – by encouraging them to be more transparent in their investment activities;
- companies – by improving their practices through investor engagements;
- markets – through ventures such as the Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative.
Beyond these positive, indirect impacts, we recognise that the way we choose to operate as an organisation can have direct impacts, and we try to manage these wherever possible.
Environmental
The PRI has been certified as compliant with ISO 14001, the international standard for environmental management systems. As part of this certification, we will continue to monitor, manage and reduce our impact on the environment through transport, waste, consumption of natural resources, energy use and procurement.
We strive to make sure our events are as green as possible. For example, we acknowledge that PRI in Person has the potential to impact the environment and that it is our duty to proactively manage this. As always, we took various measures at PRI in Person 2018 to ensure that the event was delivered as sustainably as possible. For example:
- The San Francisco Marriott Marquis is the #1 recycling hotel in San Francisco: it recycles cardboard, cans, bottles, glass, paper and plastic, and composts food waste.
- All light bulbs are energy-efficient and all hotel guest rooms feature water-saving low-flow toilets and water-saving shower heads.
- PRI in Person strives to use as little paper as possible: there was no paper delegate pack and exhibitors were discouraged from distributing hard copies of their own literature.
- Through a partnership, we offset the emissions for delegates’ travel and for all official venues: over 3,400 tonnes of GHG emissions in total.
- All banners, carpets and furniture were reusable or recyclable; lanyards, badge holders, conference pens and delegate bags were all made from recycled, sustainable materials.
- Unused food was donated to Food Runners and Chefs to End Hunger, two local organisations redistributing food to the hungry that would otherwise go to waste.
- All catering during the lunches and refreshment breaks was fully vegetarian and all tea and coffee was Fairtrade-certified.
- Our caterers sourced ingredients from local suppliers where possible, with a focus on sustainable, seasonal produce.
Social
Our employees have the right to work in an environment of dignity and respect. We are accredited as a Living Wage Employer, whereby we ensure that our staff are paid a salary that will ensure a good standard of life.
We are also against unpaid internships and ensure that interns are paid a decent and fair salary.
We invest in the training and development of our staff, and have set up staff committees on employee engagement and human rights.
Governance
Good governance at the PRI includes annual signatory elections, term length limits for board directors, publishing board meeting attendance and clear separation between the roles of the CEO and chair. The PRI has a board diversity policy in the belief that diversity contributes to high performance.
We are committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, cost-effective and accountable process in the purchasing and provision of goods and services to our signatories and other stakeholders. We have a procurement policy in place to provide direction to staff in relation to tendering, contracting and procurement activity. The policy aims to establish a framework that will, among other things, appropriately manage risk, ensure the efficient, effective and responsible use of resources, and deliver best value for money.
Our public communications policy ensures we advocate for the uptake of the six Principles and responsible investment, but that we don’t speak on behalf of our signatories.
