UPM-Biofore-Magazine-3-2016-EN

TEXT VESA PUOSKARI   PHOTOGRAPHY TUOMAS UUSHEIMO, UPM; COURTESY OF THE INTERVIEWEES

The annual PRI in Person conference helps investors understand how to apply sustainable practices such as integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into their portfolio decisions.

T he PRI (Principles of Responsible Investment) is the organizer of the world’s leading responsible investment event, PRI in Person. This year the event took place in

investment decisions. Roughly 25% of our

institutional investors have adopted ESG at the core of their investment approach based on NASDAQ sources. The percentage is more than double that of other industrial and materials companies.” Green light from Singapore The PRI is an independent, non-profit organization supported by the United Nations. Its role is to encourage investors to enhance their returns and manage risks more effectively through responsible investment strategies. The organization celebrated its tenth anniversary this year. “Our aim is to educate, help and support investors so that they understand the benefits of using sustainable practices in their investment decisions. We work with our members and other organizations to produce research that can help investors on their ESG journey,” describes Nathan Fabian , Director of Policy and Research for the PRI. Fabian also confirms that the outcomes of the Singapore conference were an excellent indication of the progress being made in this field. “One of the most exciting recent statements was about the G20 countries’

in a sustainable future Investing

Nathan Fabian

Singapore at the beginning of September, and was attended by over 600 participants. The mainmission of this year’s event was to promote responsible investment across Asia. UPMwas invited to the conference as a UNGlobal Compact LEAD company to discuss the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) with investors and support them in defining the business case for tackling SDGs. Nina Norjama , Director of Responsibility Development at UPM, says that taking part in the conference was a natural step for the company. “All of LEAD’s work aims to inspire and advance the full integration of sustainability into core business operations. In 2016 LEAD continued its efforts in shaping investor-company engagement and communication,” says Norjama. “I found the discussions with investors very useful, and there is definitely a need for more of this kind of dialogue. We enjoy a strong presence among investors who are integrating sustainability in their

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