Equator Principles meaning

Trend towards environmental, social governance or sustainability reporting The phrases sustainable business, corporate responsibility (CR), corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, governance (ESG) are used across business and legal settings. Broadly, they describe organisations embedding responsible conduct into everyday operations. CSR has traditionally focused on accountability, yet its outcomes were difficult to quantify. That is shifting under the ESG lens, where impacts are increasingly measurable—and therefore simpler to disclose—with CSR often viewed as a forerunner to ESG. Growing numbers of companies recognise that mere legal compliance may no longer suffice to guard against legal, regulatory or reputational exposure; aligning with voluntary standards and reporting frameworks can help mitigate these risks. The drive for transparency and accountability through corporate governance and sustainability disclosures has reignited attention on the ‘triple bottom line’—environmental, social and economic effects. Although sustainability, CR and CSR lack a single, settled definition, voluntary reports are frequently structured around three core pillars—ESG. In essence, ESG reporting assesses a company’s sustainability and ethical performance...

Key dates for Banking & Finance lawyers to look out for: 2014 [Archived] January 2014 1 Latvia moves to the euro as its national currency—see LNB News 09/07/2013 101. Equator Principles III now cover all fresh transactions—refer to Practice Note: The Equator Principles and the Equator Principles website for details. Bank levy rises as flagged in the 2013 Budget. An additional rise to the levy was set out in the Autumn Statement 2013. The full-rate levy is 0.156% on ‘short term’ liabilities, with a lower rate of 0.078% on ‘long term’ liabilities and equity—see News Analysis: Autumn Statement 2013 and HM Revenue & Customs notice. Functions previously undertaken by the African Loan Market Association are folded into the Loan Market Association—see news analysis: The Loan Market Association—2013 in review and LMA press release. The Capital Requirements Directive IV and the Capital Requirements Regulation take effect—see Practice Note: EU CRD IV package—essentials and the Prudential Regulation Authority announcement. The London Stock Exchange...

Lenders' risk exposure In day-to-day secured lending businesses, lenders are increasingly alert to environmental risk. Every major UK bank must now, to a greater or lesser extent, incorporate a formal appraisal of environmental factors within secured lending credit risk assessment processes, though this typically relates more to commercial property than to residential property. Such scrutiny may appear within the solicitor/conveyancer’s report on title; however, lenders are more frequently implementing structured internal procedures, which can include instructing their panel Chartered Surveyors to evaluate environmental risk as part of the valuation process. The Law Society provides its members with guidance on ground contamination, flood risks and climate change, detailing steps to mitigate these issues and setting out best practice within its practice notes...

[ [ Insert organisation name ] is a signatory of the [ insert details of any human rights initiatives to which the organisation is a signatory, e.g. the United Nations Global Compact, or the Equator Principles ]. ] We commit to upholding and respecting all internationally recognised human rights fully...

1 Our commitment to human rights [ [ Insert organisation name ] is a signatory to [ insert details of any human rights initiatives to which the organisation is a signatory, eg the United Nations Global Compact or the Equator Principles ]. ] We are firmly dedicated to upholding and honouring all internationally recognised human rights. We also strive to ensure we are never complicit in human rights violations by any other individual, organisation or government. 2 What are human rights? 2.1 The United Nations explains that human rights are inherent entitlements of every human being, regardless of nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to these rights without discrimination...