ABSTRACT
This chapter, written from the perspective of a human rights non-governmental organisation (NGO), outlines a decade of progress in putting human rights on the agenda of companies. It argues that the socially responsible investment (SRI) movement has served as an amplifier of the concerns of campaigning groups, reinforcing their attempts to generate public and political pressure around business practices that have adverse social and environmental impacts. The chapter points to the inherent limitations of the SRI industry arising from the mandate and fiduciary responsibilities of fund managers. It also argues that the large SRI funds have been established primarily as a branding exercise designed to increase the appeal of their companies' products and to differentiate them from those of their competitors. The chapter discusses the 'engagement' approach for its over-emphasis on managing risk and safeguarding reputation, and for the lack of any tangible threat behind it.
