Final answer:
The Freshfield Report and the Who Cares Wins Report were pivotal in the launch of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), emphasizing the importance of integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into financial decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two reports that formed the backbone for the launch of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) are the Freshfield Report and the Who Cares Wins Report. The Freshfield Report, produced by the law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, investigated the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues into financial analysis and investment decision-making. The Who Cares Wins Report was commissioned by the UN Secretary-General and developed by leading financial institutions, laying down the concept that integrating ESG considerations into capital markets makes good business sense and leads to more sustainable markets and better outcomes for societies. The PRI itself is an investor initiative in partnership with UNEP Finance Initiative and the UN Global Compact, aiming to understand the implications of sustainability for investors and support signatories in incorporating these issues into their investment decision making and ownership practices.