Investment & Markets, Socially Responsible Investing (SRI)
Resources & Information related to Investment & Markets, Socially Responsible Investing, SRI, Socially Conscious, Ethical Investing and more.
Report: Solyndra had Limited Impact on VC Solar Investments
Oversupply, a precipitous price drop and high-profile bankruptcies notwithstanding, venture capital (VC) investments in the US solar sector set a record in 2011, with 182 different VC firms participating in 111 transactions. Conditions might well get worse before they get better, however, according to a Mercom Capital Group report.
VC Cleantech Investments Down 4.5% in 2011
Venture capital investments in US cleantech fell 4.5% in 2011, though transaction numbers held steady, according to Ernst & Young, a relative victory given the difficult economic, market and industry conditions.
Renewable Energy Mergers and Acquisitions Surge 40% in 2011
Renewable energy merger and acquisitions surged 40% in 2011, with solar energy and energy efficiency leading the way, according to a PwC report. Larger, billion-dollar, deals dominated, a sign of the sector’s increasing maturity, but persistent EU debt problems and overcapacity will continue to plague the sector and M&A in 2012, PwC believes.
Keeping the Green Hope Alive, One Wise Investment at a Time
Here in Abu Dhabi, through the investment arm of Masdar, Masdar Capital, we continue to see interesting opportunities for cleantech investing, and a number of worthy renewable energy projects both within the region and around the world.
Bottlenecks of Utility Scale Renewable Energy
Renewable energy still has a long way to go to be our de facto utility energy source, especially in a state like California. What bottlenecks are keeping us from a renewable energy future?
Chinese Solar Panel Exports Spike as Obama Announces New Trade Enforcement Unit
Chinese exports of silicon solar panels surged in 2011, and they’re spiking higher yet following the filing of illegal dumping and subsidy petitions in the US, according to a study of US Customs and Border Protection Service data by CASM, which filed petitions with the US International Trade Commission and Commerce Dept. The brewing trade dispute is significant enough to have prompted Pres. Obama to announced the formation of a new Trade Enforcement Unit in his SOTU address Tuesday night.
Making Clean Tech a Commercial Reality, Faster
Bring as many key stakeholders together under the same roof (so to speak) to spontaneously collaborate.
Women Angel Investors on the Rise
What a difference a year makes! In 2011, the Pipeline Fellowship began as a single program in New York to train ten women to become angel investors and support women social entrepreneurs. In 2012, the Pipeline Fellowship is expanding to include two locations, four programs, and will train forty women.
EU on Track to Exceed 2020 Carbon Emissions Targets
Reaching a 30% by 2020 EU emissions reduction target would be less than originally estimated, according to an EC study that also includes a plan that not only spreads the costs more equitably, but could benefit weaker member countries financially.
Impact Investing Expands in Hawai’i
Impact investing is filling a void in the sustainable economy, giving green startups access to capital that has long been the challenge to many sustainable enterprises.
Rocky Road Ahead: An Economic and Political Outlook for 2012
Here are a few predictions and observations we’ve pulled together based on the past year’s experience at LJPR, LLC, an independent wealth management firm, managing over $400 million in assets as of November 2011. You may want to sit down with a favorite beverage or even an aspirin. In general, we’re certain this will not be a nice steady year.
Investors Worth $20 Trillion Discussed Climate Change Risks and Opportunities at the U.N.
Last week the U.N. had finally the chance to see a day of discussions on climate change, focusing on the risks and opportunities and leaving the politics out of it. About 450 global investors controlling more than $20 trillion gathered last Thursday at the United Nations for the Investor Summit on climate risk & energy [...]
India Emerges as Solar Energy Hotspot
A growing host of India’s business conglomerates is leveraging the Indian government’s national solar energy program and investing in the sector, that latest being the Bhanshali group’s Talma Chemical Industries. Talma’s Visual Percept Solar Projects intends to invest in building 100-MW of solar energy generation capacity.
California Renewable Energy Off to a Good Start in 2012 with Five Big Projects
Renewable energy is getting off to a good 2012 start in California with the approval of 5 renewable energy projects that will bring more than 1-GW of clean electrical power and more than 2,900-GWh per year of clean energy on-line. California’s Public Utilities Commission approved investor-owned utility contracts for three SunPower solar, one NextEra Energy wind and one Pattern Energy wind energy project with Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric and San Diego Gas & Electric.
Deficit-Driven Economic Developments
The recession started a renaissance in how companies, NGOs, & governments collaborate. With governments and non-profits facing yawning budget deficits and business facing one of its biggest trust-deficits in history, organizations are coming together in unprecedented ways to tackle some of society’s greatest challenges. In fact, a distinct set of collaborative practices used by the “best corporate citizens” and their partners have emerged that others could adopt.
Humane Society Makes Strategic Stock Purchase in Major Fast Food Chain
In recent years, advocacy organizations like Greenpeace, PETA, and others have been able to leverage the stakeholder engagement trend and the power of social media to focus public attention on their key issues and put pressure on companies to take action. Recent news from The Humane Society of the US (HSUS) reveals that these organizations have added yet another influencing tactic [...]
Mexican Stock Exchange Launches Sustainability Index
this article has been edited since it was first published. Mexico’s stock exchange recently announced the launch of its new sustainability index, which in addition to the FTSE4Good Index and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, among a few others worldwide. With a total stock value of $450 billion, Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (BMV) is the second largest financial [...]
Public-Private Partnership Boosts Clean Energy in Nicaragua
Nicaragua has added 36-megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable electricity to its national electricity grid. Reno, Nevada’s Ram Power announced on Dec. 22 that it successfully synchronized electricity generation for its Phase I expansion at the San Jacinto-Tizate geothermal energy field. The new capacity augments 10-MW of clean electricity from previously installed back-pressure units. Owned by [...]
BP Moves Beyond Solar
On May 19, 1997, John Browne, then the CEO of BP, gave his famous ‘Climate Change: the New Agenda’ speech at Stanford, outlining BP’s new approach to global warming. One part of that new agenda was a foray into new energy technologies, particularly solar. Now it looks like solar is about to join the rest [...]
2011: The Year in Sustainability
Without a doubt, the year 2011 has been a remarkable year in the journey to a sustainable future. There have been some exhilarating highs and some devastating lows. While a steady drumbeat of warnings about climate destabilization persists, growing ever louder, the response seems to finally be an awakening of consciousness of the need to [...]
An Oregon Model for Sustainable Cities (and It Ain’t Portland)
Gresham, Oregon has made great strides in its drive to craft a model for sustainable cities. One key aspect of its success has been a strategic, public-private partnership with Veolia Water NA, the centerpiece of which to date has been managing the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
Make Crowdfunding a Part of Your Product Strategy
Crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and IndieGoGo give social entrepreneurs a way to test product and service ideas, reach new audiences and generate marketing buzz with minimal risk and upfront investment.
Local Governments Declare Bankruptcy- Is Yours Next?
The Occupy Wall Street protests now dwindling in most states look pretty tame in comparison to the kinds of riots sweeping across Europe. Few would argue this point. The real fear is that the Occupy movement may be just the beginning, and that violent responses to severe fiscal austerity measures may not be far off in some American cities, either. After all, while the Eurozone debt crisis is absorbing the lion’s share of media attention these days, there is a similar crisis quietly brewing right here in the U.S. that is just now beginning to surface.
What Will the Crowdfunding Bill Do For Startups?
By Piper Kujac Since the crowdfunding bill, officially called the HR-2930 Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act, was accepted by the House on November 2nd, and is expected to pass in the Senate any day now, we’re all wondering what this really means for small business fundraising. Is this the access to fundraising start-ups need from [...]
Turnkey Concentrated Solar Photovoltaic Power System Now Available for Commercial Use
Fremont, CA-based GreenVolts has emerged publicly with a first of its kind turnkey concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power system and a strategic partnership with ABB.
Going Bearish on Green Investing
With the rising number of people participating in the likes of “occupy wall street,” are consumers and investors ready to do more than embrace the change for social and environmental responsibility? This article is designed to make readers question themselves as consumers or investors in terms of pointing fingers at the not-so-responsible companies and the fundamental steps required by the stakeholders (consumers, companies and investors) to take to address social and environmental problems associated with the traditional management practices (financial bottom-line imperative). Investors are likely to be attracted in purchasing equities that will deliver the most profit. Companies will always focus on delivering financial performance to the shareholders. Consumers wil always look for the best deal. The less socially responsible companies would self-correct if both the consumers and investors turned their backs. The challenge lies in finding investors willing to support socially responsible companies at their typically higher price tags. Are consumers ready to pay a premium as well? What is your thought?
Nedbank and Face the Future Join Forces to Reforest Africa
Nedbank Capital, one of the largest South African banks, and Face the Future, a global forest carbon project developer, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last week to jointly develop sustainable forestry projects in Africa. Both companies already participate in developing African forestry projects. The MOU will allow the companies to bring together Face the [...]
5 Lessons from Warren Buffett’s $2 Billion Solar Farm Purchase
Last week the solar industry finally generated good news. Warren Buffett’s MidAmerican Energy Holdings agreed to buy First Solar’s Topaz solar farm, a 550-megawatt photovoltaic solar farm currently being built in Southern California (construction began last month and is set to finish by early 2015). The financial details of the purchase of the plant were [...]
Water Will Be the Critical Limiting Factor of 21st Century Production
Morgan Stanley’s Global Investment Committee recently released a report in which it argues that the “perfect storm” of declining water supply and rising demand are likely to make water the critical limiting resource of our time. The report, entitled “Peak Water: The Preeminent 21st Century Commodity Story,” paints a convincing picture of a world that is [...]
Inconsistent Sustainability Rankings Create Reporting Burden for Companies
Last month KPMG released the results of a survey of corporate social responsibility reporting that found that 95 percent of the Fortune 250 is now reporting on CSR activity. Among the largest 100 companies in each country surveyed, CSR reporting increased by 11 percent since 2008. Clearly, sustainability reporting is not just a passing trend. But [...]
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Webinar: Feb 17Greening Stonyfield Farm: As a consultant with Stonyfield Farm for the past 12 years, Switzer Fellow Tim Greiner will discuss efforts to broaden and deepen sustainability within the company. He will discuss the company's efforts to track its environmental impacts, barriers the company had to overcome.
Webinar: Feb 29Product Scorecards for Sustainability: Product scorecards that detail and evaluate environmental and sustainability aspects of products are increasingly adopted by leading companies. This webinar covers the best practices in this area and a case study by Seventh Generation.
NY: Mar 19-20Wall Street Green: The longest running and most comprehensive environmental market event in the industry. The Wall Street Green Summit covers cutting edge content, industry developments and features the practitioners and the leaders of tomorrow.
Bay Area: Mar 22-23GRI Certified Training: Demand for sustainability experts is growing rapidly as companies look for proven professionals. For companies, GRI trained employees mean faster implementations and better use of the GRI Sustainability Reporting Framework. Join our partner ISOS group for this two day session. Early bird discounts apply!
SF: Mar 26-28Cleantech Forum San Francisco: The 2012 Cleantech Forum San Francisco will mark the 10th anniversary of Cleantech Forums, the annual gathering of the global clean technology innovation community. Our theme this year is “The Power of Global Partnerships,” an exploration of how strategic relationships are playing an ever more important role in the future of clean technology. For a $300 Discount use code "VIPofTriplePundit " More Info.
SF: April 10-12 Navigating the American Carbon World: The must-attend event for professionals in the carbon landscape. Over the past decade, NACW has consistently provided informative content, thoughtful discussions and outstanding opportunities for collaboration.
Have your event listed here.
Webinar: Feb 17Greening Stonyfield Farm: As a consultant with Stonyfield Farm for the past 12 years, Switzer Fellow Tim Greiner will discuss efforts to broaden and deepen sustainability within the company. He will discuss the company's efforts to track its environmental impacts, barriers the company had to overcome.Webinar: Feb 29Product Scorecards for Sustainability: Product scorecards that detail and evaluate environmental and sustainability aspects of products are increasingly adopted by leading companies. This webinar covers the best practices in this area and a case study by Seventh Generation.NY: Mar 19-20Wall Street Green: The longest running and most comprehensive environmental market event in the industry. The Wall Street Green Summit covers cutting edge content, industry developments and features the practitioners and the leaders of tomorrow.Bay Area: Mar 22-23GRI Certified Training: Demand for sustainability experts is growing rapidly as companies look for proven professionals. For companies, GRI trained employees mean faster implementations and better use of the GRI Sustainability Reporting Framework. Join our partner ISOS group for this two day session. Early bird discounts apply!SF: Mar 26-28Cleantech Forum San Francisco: The 2012 Cleantech Forum San Francisco will mark the 10th anniversary of Cleantech Forums, the annual gathering of the global clean technology innovation community. Our theme this year is “The Power of Global Partnerships,” an exploration of how strategic relationships are playing an ever more important role in the future of clean technology. For a $300 Discount use code "VIPofTriplePundit " More Info.SF: April 10-12 Navigating the American Carbon World: The must-attend event for professionals in the carbon landscape. Over the past decade, NACW has consistently provided informative content, thoughtful discussions and outstanding opportunities for collaboration.Have your event listed here.
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