UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)

The UN (United Nations) likes to at least pretend to make sure everybody is on the same page. Otherwise, what are they all doing there, you know?

One of the ways they’ve established at least the stated precepts of what they consider "fair" runs through their UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The six principles under the PRI set the standard for responsible investing in terms of environmental, social, and corporate governance. Their thought? Why not meet both investment goals as well as societal ones? Everyone from financial institutions to retail can join in on the family-friendly fun.

But this is more than just a list of “would be nice to have”s. A separate nonprofit turns these six principles into reality. Organizations can put on their signatory hats and publicly commit to adopting and implementing the PRIs. Gotta get that street cred with consumers.

Here are the six principles:

1. We will incorporate environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.

2. We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.

3. We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.

4. We will promote acceptance and implementation of the principles within the investment industry.

5. We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the principles.

6. We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the principles.

7. We will not openly take bribes behind the scenes and then change our votes so that they reflect our nation's individual immediate needs, no matter how corrupt our leaders are, and...ok, ok, #7 isn't on there. But it should be.