They are being asked to sign the United Nations Global Compact, committing them to incorporating 10 principles of corporate responsibility into business strategy and operations, and report yearly. More than 5,000 companies in about 130 countries are signatories to the Compact, launched in 2000. The reporting requirement was added a year ago, with 600 companies that failed to comply delisted.

Gavin Power, deputy director of the UN Global Compact, said investors were beginning to use the reports to understand how companies are dealing with the risks and opportunities thrown up by globalisation.

The initiative by the 52 investors, who are signatories to the UN Principles of Responsible Investment, would represent the Compact's “largest recruitment effort ever”, said Mr Power.