- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=SustainabilityHQ.com Weekly Highlights April 17, 2012 https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/26726?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/26726?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/26726?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=SustainabilityHQ.com Weekly Highlights April 17, 2012&body=ESG News from Governance & Accountability Institute https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/26726?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Research, Reports & Publications](/CSR-News/research-reports-publications) # SustainabilityHQ.com Weekly Highlights April 17, 2012 Apr 20, 2012 2:30 PM ET [SustainabilityHQ.com Weekly Highlights April 17, 2012](http://www.sustainabilityhq.com/sustainabilityhq/single-view-public/weekly-highlights-single-view/article/weekly-highlights-april-17-2012/) [![](http://www.accountability-central.com/fileadmin/templates/images/SHQ-Highlights-Masthead.jpg) ](http://www.sustainabilityhq.com/) [Non-Financial Data is Material: The Sustainability Paradox](http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-04-13/non-financial-data-is-material-the-sustainability-paradox "Non-Financial Data is Material: The Sustainability Paradox") (Monday - April 16, 2012) Associated Profiles : [Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc](http://www.sustainabilityhq.com/sustainabilityhq/subscriber-only-pages/profile-storage/esg-sustainability-profiles/governance-accountability-institute-inc/gai-profile/)![](http://www.accountability-central.com/uploads/pics/HB_AC_ArticlesPage.jpg) Source: Eric Roston, BusinessWeek – The main delivery mechanism is the corporate sustainability report, or the corporate responsibility report, or the citizenship report, environment report, corporate social responsibility report "or some title that fits," as Hank Boerner put it. Boerner is chairman of [Governance and Accountability Institute, Inc.](http://www.ga-institute.com/) The group collects and analyzes companies' disclosures, and is the U.S. data partner for the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), a widely used framework for producing sustainability reports. Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Reporting G&A Institute is the [Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI](https://www.globalreporting.org/reporting/report-services/sustainability-disclosure-database/Pages/GRI-Data-Partners.aspx)[)](http://www.globalreporting.org/GRIReports/GRIReportsList/DataConsortium.htm) sole data partner for the [United States of America](http://www.accountability-central.com/corporate-social-responsibility-corporate-news-and-updates/usa-sustainability-reporting/), the [United Kingdom](http://www.accountability-central.com/corporate-social-responsibility-corporate-news-and-updates/uk-sustainability-reporting/), and the [Republic of Ireland](http://www.accountability-central.com/corporate-social-responsibility-corporate-news-and-updates/ireland-sustainability-reporting/). As the data partner we monitor, analyze and database information on all Sustainability reports issued in these territories. Recent Sustainability and CR Reports issued in the USA, UK and Ireland are: USA - [Just How Far Along is Walmart on its Sustainability Journey? - Sustainability Report](http://www.walmartgreenroom.com/2012/04/just-how-far-along-is-walmart-on-its-sustainability-journey/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=just-how-far-along-is-walmart-on-its-sustainability-journey "Just how far along is Walmart on its sustainability journey? - Sustainability Report") (April 17, 2012) Source: Walmart United Kingdom - [BG Group Releases Sustainability Report 2011](http://www.bg-group.com/sustainability11/Pages/default.aspx "BG Group Releases Sustainability Report 2011") (Tuesday - April 17, 2012) Source: BG Group - [G4S plc : Corporate Social Responsibility Report](http://www.4-traders.com/G4S-PLC-9590209/news/G4S-PLC-Corporate-Social-Responsibility-Report-14268205/ "G4S plc : Corporate Social Responsibility Report") (Friday - April 13, 2012) Source: 4-traders.com - [GSK Provides Update on Corporate Responsibility Commitments in 2011 Report](http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/33998-GSK-provides-update-on-corporate-responsibility-commitments-in-2011-report "GSK provides update on corporate responsibility commitments in 2011 report") (Thursday - April 12, 2012) Source: CSRWire / GlaxoSmithKline PLC ESG / Sustainability [A Billion Acts of Green](http://www.examiner.com/renewable-energy-in-phoenix/a-billion-acts-of-green-prepares-for-earth-day-1#ixzz1sByJT2Ei "A Billion Acts of Green") (Monday - April 16, 2012) Source: Examiner.com - The Earth Day Network is hosting "A Billion Acts of Green" in 2012. The goal is to register one billion environmentally friendly actions in advance of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development happening in Rio... [Buffett Rule or Not, Most Rich People Already Pay](http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-04-12/buffett-rule-or-not-most-rich-people-already-pay "Buffett Rule or Not, Most Rich People Already Pay") (Friday - April 13, 2012) Source: Bloomberg - President Obama’s sales pitch for the so-called Buffett Rule is simple: It’s only fair that those who make more than $1 million a year should pay a higher tax rate than middle-class workers. Here’s what he tends not to mention... [U.S. Earthquake Outbreak Tied to Fracking](http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-04-12/earthquake-outbreak-in-central-u-dot-s-dot-tied-to-drilling-wastewater "U.S. Earthquake Outbreak Tied to Fracking") (Friday - April 13, 2012) Source: Bloomberg - A spate of earthquakes across the middle of the U.S. is “almost certainly” man-made, and may be caused by wastewater from oil or gas drilling injected into the ground, U.S. government scientists said in a study. [Renewable-Energy Investment Plunges in Quarter to Three-Year Low](http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-04-12/renewable-energy-investment-plunges-in-quarter-to-three-year-low "Renewable-Energy Investment Plunges in Quarter to Three-Year Low") (Thursday - April 12, 2012)Source: BusinessWeek - Global investment in clean energy dropped to its lowest since the depths of the financial crisis three years ago as the U.S. and European nations cut support for wind and solar projects, Bloomberg New Energy Finance said. Commentary [Ethical Investing is All a Matter of Opinion – and I'll Put Money on That](http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/ethical-investing-is-all-a-matter-of-opinion--and-ill-put-money-on-that-7640838.html "Ethical investing is all a matter of opinion – and I'll put money on that") (Friday - April 13, 2012) Associated Profiles : [Eiris](http://www.sustainabilityhq.com/nc/sustainabilityhq/subscriber-only-pages/profile-storage/esg-sustainability-profiles/eiris/eiris-profile/) Source: Indepedent - There is no doubting the popularity of "ethical" investing, and why not' As Eiris, the ethical investment screening service (not for profit, naturally), points out, ethical products - fair trade, etc - have become ... Sovereign Wealth Funds [Sovereign Wealth Fund Assets Touch $4.62 trillion](http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international-business/sovereign-wealth-fund-assets-touch-4-62-trillion/articleshow/12689186.cms "Sovereign wealth fund assets touch $ 4.62 trillion") (Monday - April 16, 2012) Source: Economic Times - NEW YORK: The sovereign wealth funds have been getting richer with their assets under management rising to $ 4.62 trillion so far in 2012 worldwide, an increase of 16 per cent from last year. [We’re Now Ready to Invest in Europe: China’s CIC ](http://www.cnbc.com/id/47058454 "We're Now Ready to Invest in Europe: China's CIC") (Monday - April 16, 2012) Associated Profiles : [China Investment Corporation](http://www.sustainabilityhq.com/sustainabilityhq/subscriber-only-pages/profile-storage/sovereign-fund-profiles/china-investment-corporation/cic-profile/) Source: CNBC - Investments in Europe could come to total more than 20 percent of China's sovereign wealth fund’s total portfolio, according to Jin Liqun, chairman of the Board of Supervisors at the fund. Jin told CNBC that recent months had... [Abu Dhabi's Mubadala reports USD1.14b loss in 2011 ](http://www.menafn.com/menafn/1093503128/Abu-Dhabis-Mubadala-reports-USD1.14b-loss-2011 "Abu Dhabi's Mubadala reports USD1.14b loss in 2011") (Friday - April 13, 2012) Associated Profiles : [Abu Dhabi Investment Authority](http://www.sustainabilityhq.com/sustainabilityhq/sustainabilityhq-home/swf-matters/abu-dhabi-investment-authority/adia-profile/) Source: MENAFN - Mubadala, the investment arm of Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, reported deeper losses in 2011 due to a drop in the value of its investments, Arabian Business reported. **his is just a sample of some of the articles from this weeks SustainabilityHQ Highlights. You can view the full Highlights by using the following links. [Sustainability | ESG, Highlights for the Week of April 17, 2012](http://www.sustainabilityhq.com/sustainabilityhq/single-view-public/weekly-highlights-single-view/article/weekly-highlights-april-17-2012/)** [![Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc.](/sites/default/files/Clients/GA-Logo-2020_Blue-Final-Vertical.png)](/profiles/governance-accountability-institute-inc) ### More from Governance & Accountability Institute ###### [A Reporting Paradox: Companies Doubling Down on Climate Disclosure Amid Weakening Regulations](/news/reporting-paradox-companies-doubling-down-climate-disclosure-amid-weakening-regulations) Mar 30, 2026 10:00 AM ET ###### [G&A Institute Issues Quick Reference Guide on Brief on Finalized CSRD and CSDDD Regulations](/news/ga-institute-issues-quick-reference-guide-brief-finalized-csrd-and-csddd-regulations) Mar 27, 2026 10:00 AM ET ###### [G&A Institute Issues Quick Reference Guide on VSME](/news/ga-institute-issues-quick-reference-guide-vsme) Mar 26, 2026 10:00 AM ET ###### [The U.S. Climate Reporting Infrastructure Is Being Built: Deadlines, Markets, and Supply Chains Stop Waiting for Action From Washington](/news/us-climate-reporting-infrastructure-being-built-deadlines-markets-and-supply-chains-stop) Mar 24, 2026 10:00 AM ET ###### [G&A Institute Publishes New Resource Paper: "What Tier 1 Pharma Suppliers Need to Know" About Navigating Customers' Climate and Sustainability Requests](/news/ga-institute-publishes-new-resource-paper-what-tier-1-pharma-suppliers-need-know-about) Mar 4, 2026 12:45 PM ET ###### [The Push & the Pushback: Why the Courts and States Are the New Front Line for Climate Policy](/news/push-pushback-why-courts-and-states-are-new-front-line-climate-policy) Mar 2, 2026 10:00 AM ET ###### [Courts, Congress, and Statehouses: Where Sustainability Is Quietly Winning](/news/courts-congress-and-statehouses-where-sustainability-quietly-winning) Feb 12, 2026 2:05 PM ET ###### [G&A Institute Issues Resource Paper on U.S. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Laws for Packaging](/news/ga-institute-issues-resource-paper-us-extended-producer-responsibility-epr-laws-packaging) Feb 10, 2026 11:30 AM ET