Our policy approach

Why policy?

  • 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.
  • Across the world, the PRI finds there are over 868 policy tools and guidance and more than 300 policy revisions which support, encourage or require investors to consider all long-term value drivers, including ESG factors.

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. 
  • PRI’s 2022/23 priorities for policy reform.

We encourage signatories to read this report, no matter their experience in sustainable finance policy engagement.

Policy Engagement Handbook_HERO

A sustainable finance policy engagement handbook

2022-11-28T08:00:00+00:00

Why investors should engage with policy makers, how they are doing so and how to get started

PRI 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;
  • will not seek to represent the views of the whole signatory base or indicate that research or recommendations represent the views of signatories collectively;
  • will base its comments on high-quality research containing well-considered arguments and proposals that are rigorously defendable;
  • may make recommendations for policy makers.

The PRI will not engage in policy activities intended to broadly support a specific national or sub-national political party or parties.

Policy publications

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.

See our policy reports

See our consultation responses

The PRI also hosts in person and online events on responsible investment policy and regulation.

Browse our upcoming events

How signatories can get involved

The PRI involves signatories when developing new policy research, analysis and positions. This is led within dedicated reference groups, collaboration platform and direct signatory engagement.

The PRI encourages signatories to participate in policy activity through the following channels.

Information sharing

  • 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.

Global Policy Reference Group

The PRI hosts a 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 regional groups within the GPRG (Regional Policy Reference Groups).
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.

Newsletter

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 PRI's policy briefing

Get in touch

To find out more, get in touch with the policy team.