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Corporate /
Energy
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Investors Take Note of Clean and Sustainable Geothermal Energy Production (09/12)
New technologies such as EGS offer potential for large-scale electricity production and lead to high-visibility investments.
Investors Still Supporting Clean Energy (08/13)
Even during the current uneasy economic period, clean energy companies are still finding investors
Renewable Energy Wows World Investors (07/08)
The United Nations Environmental Program reports a new record in sustainable energy investments in 2007 with more than $148 billion invested globally.
Bob Monks: ExxonMobil Exemplifies Corpocracy (06/30)
SocialFunds writers Bill Baue and Francesca Rheannon interview corporate governance advocate Bob Monks about his shareholder activism at ExxonMobil and his new book, Corpocracy.
Shelley Alpern on How Tar Sands Perpetuate Petro-Addiction (06/26)
SocialFunds writer Bill Baue speaks with Shelley Alpern of Trillium Asset Management about its shareholder activism on oil company exploitation of tar sands.
The Sunny Side of the Street: Investing in Solar (06/23)
More investors are seeing the benefits of buying solar stocks, whether to diversify portfolios or to champion an energy movement.
Sunny Days for New Solar Index and ETF (04/21)
Claymore Securities launches new ETF based on Melvin & Company's Global Solar Energy Index.
Joel Makower on the GreenBiz.com State of Green Business 2008 Report (02/01)
GreenBiz founder talks about the inaugural report, which surveys the top 10 green business stories of 2007 and introduces the GreenBiz Index.
Jolly Green Giant: Google Gives the Green Light to Alternative Energy (12/04)
Google promises millions of dollars to create inexpensive renewable energy.
Corporate Operations in Burma Fuel Human Rights Abuses, Say Shareowner Activists (10/26)
Shareowner letters to Chevron and Total criticize the piping of revenues to the Burmese regime, while the Norwegian Pension Fund defends its decision not to divest from Total.
Shareholder Resolutions on Climate Change to Heat Up ExxonMobil's Annual Meeting (05/30)
A broad coalition of shareholders is seriously concerned about ExxonMobil's lackluster response to global climate change and plans to give thumbs down to board member Michael Boskin.
Citigroup, Lehman Brothers, and UBS Report on Climate Risks and Opportunities for Investing (02/27)
Lehman Brothers and UBS agree climate change represents a market failure for neglecting to price carbon externalizations in valuations, while Citigroup makes specific stock picks.
Launch of Three New Clean Tech Indexes Culminates Banner Year for Green Investing (12/29)
The three Jefferies Global Clean Technology Indexes join the half-dozen green indexes introduced this year.
Rainforest Action Network Seeks to Stem Flow of Financing to TXU Coal Project (12/20)
Part two of this two-part articles addresses how RAN sent a letter to 54 banks urging them to withhold funding from a TXU plan to build 11 pulverized coal-burning power plants in Texas.
TXU Shareowners File Three Resolutions Questioning Wisdom of Pulverized Coal Plants (12/19)
Part one of this two-part article examines how shareowners are raising environmental and regulatory concerns over the TXU coal expansion plan, as well as environmentally preferable alternatives to coal such as energy efficiency.
Another Clean Energy Exchange Traded Fund to Launch (12/12)
First Trust Advisors is slated to introduce an ETF that tracks the NASDAQ Clean Edge US Liquid Series Index early next year.
Merrill Lynch and World Resources Institute Issue Second Auto Sector Climate Change Report (11/15)
The report again balances stock picking and investment analysis with in-depth discussion of regulatory and market developments in response to global warming and energy security concerns.
Two New ETFs Fight Climate Change: One Bridges Shift to Cleaner Energy, One Pushes Cleantech (11/02)
The PowerShares WilderHill Progressive Energy Portfolio and the PowerShares Cleantech Portfolio offer investors increasing choice for investing in climate change solutions.
BP, John Deere, Goldman Sachs, and Allianz Among Renewable Energy Award Winners (09/27)
The third annual award ceremony, sponsored by Euromoney and Ernst and Young, took place during the Renewable Energy Finance Forum.
Hydropower Stocks as an Alternative Energy Play (08/31)
Phaethon and Creative Investment Research recommend hydro to gain exposure to the energy boom, contending new technologies offer potential for reducing environmental impacts.
Trucost Joins Yale Professor to Devise Tool to Gauge Financial Cost of Environmental Impacts (08/25)
Professor Robert Repetto and Trucost Researcher Dan Dias apply the TRUEVA methodology for measuring externalities in financial terms to the US electric sector, which scores terribly.
Alternative Energy Revolution Fueled by New Fund Launches Despite Sector Downturn (08/17)
The launch of the Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund testifies to optimism about the sub-sector echoed by the launch of the first renewable energy hedge fund by Ardsley Partners.
Biofuels May Not Be Sustainability Panacea, According to Bank Sarasin Report (08/02)
The report identifies strengths and weaknesses of biofuels from social and environmental perspectives, as well as positing minimum sustainability criteria to qualify for investment.
BP, Suncor, and Shell Top Oil Sector Sustainability Rating; Chevron and ExxonMobil Rank Low (08/01)
The report by Jantzi Research examines 23 oil companies worldwide on environmental issues such as greenhouse gas emissions as well as human rights and other social issues.
Another Clean Energy Index Launches to Capitalize on Transition from Dependence on Fossil Fuels (05/10)
The NASDAQ Clean Edge US Index joins several other recently launched clean energy indexes tracking solar photovoltaic, biofuel, wind, and fuel cell companies.
Evergreen Solar and Energy Conversion Devices Rated Outperformers in Piper Jaffray Solar Report (02/23)
The report continues a trend of mainstream equity research using socially responsible investing strategies, and SRI funds confirm this assessment through wide exposure to these two companies.
In the Year of the Oil Boom, Some SRI Funds Look Elsewhere for Strong Performance in 2005 (01/24)
The top-performing socially responsible investing funds compared to their category peers (SRI and non-SRI alike) drew strong performance from pharma, tech, and financials.
Top Five Socially Responsible Investing News Stories of 2005 (01/05)
Socially responsible investing, corporate social responsibility, and microfinance embraced by the mainstream; shareowner advocates withdraw several climate change resolutions as companies agree to report; and exchange traded funds apply SRI strategies.
Solar Energy Helps Fuel Socially Responsible Investing (12/15)
Managers from Winslow Green Growth Fund, New Alternatives Fund, and Portfolio 21 discuss the opportunities and challenges of investing in solar power.
Rising Oil Prices Fuel Investment Returns in Renewable Energy for New Alternatives Fund (10/14)
The first environmental mutual fund is also globalizing its reach to capitalize on innovative developments in alternative energies in other countries.
Spreading SRI: Goldman Sachs Adds Its Own Twist in Social and Environmental Assessment (10/05)
As socially responsible investment strategies migrate into the mainstream, mainstream analysts apply social and environmental considerations in innovative ways.
Most Canadian Extractive Companies Behind the Curve on Human Rights Policies (08/18)
Ethical Funds surveys Canadian energy and mining companies and finds less than a handful with comprehensive human rights policies, management systems, and disclosure mechanisms.
Lack of Human Rights Policy Concerns Chevron Shareowners in Light of Unocal Merger (08/16)
Part two of this two-part article examines the implications of the delay in adopting a human rights policy given the inheritance of Unocal holdings in Burma and Alien Tort Claims Act cases.
New Document Alleges Tie Between Chevron and Human Rights Abuses in Nigeria (08/12)
Identified in the discovery phase of a case proceeding at state and federal levels, the invoice and receipt indicate Chevron paid Nigerian soldiers for services on a day several villagers were allegedly killed (part one of a two-part article.)
The Ghost of a Shareholder Resolution Haunts ExxonMobil Annual Meeting (05/26)
Despite an unprecedented 28 percent vote for a first-year climate change resolution and strong support for seven others, the censoring of a resolution quashes shareholder democracy.
Climate Change Offers Opportunities: An Interview with Tim Wirth, President of the UN Foundation (04/19)
At the Ceres conference in Boston last week, SocialFunds.com sat down with Tim Wirth to discuss the opportunities for companies presented by the climate change issue.
Ecuadorian Attorney General Tells ChevronTexaco Shareholders Remediation Agreement May Be Invalid (04/12)
The questionable validity of the remediation agreement indemnifying ChevronTexaco could carry implications for the lawsuit and beyond (part three of a multipart article).
Asphalt Jungle: Did Oil Drilling by Texaco Create Environmental and Social Harm in Ecuador? (04/11)
Both ChevronTexaco and lawsuit plaintiffs are finding evidence of contamination during judicial site inspections: the question is, does it pose human health or environmental risks? (part two of a multi-part article.)
Oil Spread Upon the Waters of Ecuador May Return Harm for ChevronTexaco Shareholders (04/08)
A shareholder delegation surveys the environmental and social impact of oil operations, assessing potential risk from a twelve-year old lawsuit in its judicial inspection phase (part one of a multi-part article).
Faith-Based and Environmentalist Shareowners Withdraw Climate Change Resolutions at Six Companies (03/22)
The six oil and gas companies commit to measure, mitigate, and disclose data related to global warming, and evangelicals join their faith-based compatriots in concern over climate change.
ConocoPhillips Bows Out of Arctic Power, Green Century Withdraws ANWR Resolution (01/12)
The oil company left the group lobbying to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge a year ago and neglected to inform resolution filers, who were nonetheless pleased with the development.
Shell and BP Top Innovest CSR Ratings of Integrated Oil and Gas Companies (10/13)
Marathon and several companies operating in emerging markets sink to the bottom of the rankings of corporate social responsibility performers.
ExxonMobil Mocks Climate Change, Maine Treasurer Finds It No Laughing Matter (05/27)
Senior management remains resolute in its disbelief of climate change risk.
ChevronTexaco Faces Class-Action Lawsuit in Ecuador Over Environmental Damage (05/11)
A resolution asking ChevronTexaco to report on new initiatives to address its legacy of environmental damage in Ecuador gained nine percent support from shareowners.
Three More Companies Address Climate Risk, So Shareowners Withdraw Resolutions (05/04)
Shareowners withdrew climate change resolutions at Southern Company and TXU, which agreed to issue reports, and at Reliant, which agreed to expand disclosure.
Social and Environmental Best Practice Linked to Financial Outperformance in Electric Sector (04/08)
Innovest releases another sector report correlating progressive social, environmental, and governance practices and policies with financial outperformance.
Nuke Producer GE Energy Buys Solar Producer AstroPower (04/06)
The GE Energy buyout of AstroPower represents a Catch 22 for social investors, who generally seek to support renewable energy but screen GE for its nuclear production.
Wisconsin Energy Reaps External and Internal Benefits from Social and Environmental Reporting (03/31)
Wisconsin Energy won accolades for its Global Reporting Initiative-based report, which also raised internal awareness of social and environmental performance.
Social Investors Urge World Bank to Adopt Extractive Industries Review Proposals (03/23)
If adopted by the World Bank, EIR recommendations could serve as a social and environmental best practice benchmark for oil, gas, and mining companies.
Corporate Governance Ratings Take Different Approaches to Produce Similar Results (08/19)
GovernanceMetrics International rates corporate governance in relation to other companies, while Institutional Shareholder Services rates in relation to market indexes.
Report Finds Oil Companies' Social and Environmental Practices Unsustainable (08/07)
Oekom Research's report criticizes the oil industry's uneven progress in sustainable development, but those in the industry question the report's findings.
Climate Change Litigation Could Affect Companies’ Market Value (07/23)
In the near future companies could face the risk of being on the receiving end of climate change lawsuits, a development that stands to impact shareowner value.
Report Connects the Dots Between Corporate Governance and Climate Change Risk (07/10)
A report reveals the degree to which 20 major global companies use corporate governance to address climate change risks and opportunities.
Huh?!?: CEO Pay Goes Up in 2002 While the Stock Market Goes Down (06/25)
The Corporate Library's report shows how CEO pay increased in 2002 despite the fact that the stock market declined significantly, a trend that does not sit well with investors.
Report Asks When ExxonMobil Will Wake Up to Climate-Related Risks (05/15)
For the second year in a row, a report tells ExxonMobil shareowners to beware of the significant risks the company faces in terms of how the oil giant addresses climate change.
The Effects of 9/11 and the Iraq War on Islamic SRI Funds (04/18)
Socially responsible investment funds that reflect Islamic values shed light on the issue of anti-Islam sentiment, which has run rampant after 9/11 and through the Iraq War.
Is the Sun Setting on AstroPower? (04/17)
Once the darling of the green investors, AstroPower's share price has plummeted precipitously over the past year.
Rebuilding Iraq: Humanitarianism Versus Opportunism (04/04)
Socially responsible investing supports companies and nonprofit initiatives that advance humanitarian efforts to rebuild Iraq and avoids investment in profiteering companies.
CalPERS Says Xerox's Corporate Governance Not Worthy of Copying (03/27)
Pension fund giant names six companies that need to improve their corporate governance.
Investing in Wind Energy Is Not a Breeze (03/07)
With few pure players in the domestic wind energy sector, investors who want exposure to wind energy must commit their money overseas.
ExxonMobil Receives 23 Shareowner Resolutions on Issues Ranging from Climate Change to Corporate Governance (02/26)
Concerted shareowner action this proxy season targets ExxonMobil over such issues as its refusal to address climate change and its coupling of CEO and Chairman of the Board.
Global Warming Shareowner Resolution Filed at "Filthy Five" Electric Companies (01/17)
A coalition of institutional investors has filed a shareowner resolution calling on five electric power producers to report on the business risk of their greenhouse gas emissions.
Utilities: They're Not Just for Widows and Orphans Anymore (10/04)
Utilities may represent a wise investment in this bear market, especially for socially responsible investors seeking to capitalize on companies that have the best environmental records.
Alternative Strategies for the Alternative Energy Sector (08/14)
The recent downturn in alternative energy stocks is not necessarily reason for social investors to abandon the sector altogether.
Rio + 10 Series: Business Action Addressing Biodiversity is a Rare Species (08/09)
The Center for Environmental Leadership in Business’ Energy and Biodiversity Initiative represents one of very few business actions that support biodiversity conservation.
Oil and Gas Company Environmental Risk Should Concern Investors (07/25)
Innovest and the World Resources Institute released reports this week that illustrate how environmental risk can affect the shareowner value of oil and gas companies.
Rio + 10 Series: Progress and Regress--Energy Sectors Report on Their Efforts Toward Sustainability (07/05)
Three industry sectors that supply energy--oil and gas, coal, and electricity--reported on their improvements and shortcomings in sustainable development since the Rio Summit.
Rio + 10 Series: A Brief History of the Earth Summits--From Stockholm to Rio (06/07)
SocialFunds.com examines the significant events, theories, and people that contributed to the first two global summits on human interaction with the environment. (the first in a series of articles leading up to the Johannesburg Summit.)
Annual Meeting Focuses Pressure on ExxonMobil (05/24)
Some shareowners and NGOs claim that ExxonMobil's environmental and social practices are hurting the company's profitability.
Occidental Pipeline in Colombia Strikes It Rich in Washington (05/10)
The Bush Administration has proposed $98 million in military aid to protect Occidental's Cano-Limon pipeline in Colombia, despite its environmental and economic liabilities. (part two of a two-part article)
Business Ethics' 100 Best Corporate Citizens Outperform S&P 500 (04/29)
An academic study concluded that Business Ethics' list of 100 Best Corporate Citizens generated better returns than the remaining companies on the S&P 500.
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Is Here to Stay (04/05)
The Global Reporting Initiative, an organization working to make corporate performance more transparent, was formally inaugurated as an independent institution yesterday.
Verdict Still Out on Costa Rica Offshore Drilling (02/20)
Although American companies Harken Energy and MKL-Xplorations purchased the rights to drill for oil off the coast of Costa Rica in 1998, drilling has not started as local organizations voice concerns.
Consulting Firm Promotes Online Reporting of Triple Bottom Line (12/31)
SustainAbility, a British research and consultancy firm, recently released a report on how companies, their stakeholders and customers use the Internet to communicate about sustainable development.
SBI Promotes Responsible Business Practices Alongside Profits (12/27)
The Sustainable Business Institute is working to spread its vision of sustainability to business leaders and the public.
Resolution Urges ExxonMobil to Strip Chair from its CEO, a Global Warming Naysayer (12/21)
Robert Monks' resolution claims that ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Lee Raymond's denial of global warming is harming the company's reputation and shareowner value.
Global Energy Providers Score Well in Corporate Responsibility Ratings (12/06)
New study by German research firm Oekom identifies several trends developing worldwide in the power delivery sector.
GEMI Elevates Environmental Consciousness from the Bottom to the Top Line (12/03)
The Global Environmental Management Initiative releases a new report promoting environment-friendly methods of enhancing corporate performance.
Environmentalists Attempt to Dam Hydroelectric Project (11/17)
Canadian energy supplier Fortis, Inc. faces strong opposition from environmentalists over its proposed hydroelectric dam on the Macal River in Belize.
Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative Creates Global Emissions Standards (11/07)
An international consortium of government agencies, NGOs, and businesses creates its own set of standards for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in advance of the Kyoto Protocol.
Businesses Convey Interest in Sustainable Mobility (11/05)
Report on the challenges of achieving long-term sustainable transportation offers multinational automotive and energy companies, as well as governments, food for thought.
EPA Program Recognizes Better Corporate Environmental Performance (11/02)
Performance Track motivates and rewards businesses that exceed EPA's environmental standards.
Reducing Greenhouse Gases by Making Fizz (11/01)
An innovative venture enables a Shell subsidiary to sell excess carbon dioxide for soft drink manufacturing, but social investors should know that the company is still miles away from being socially responsible.
Companies Get Help Building Green (10/29)
The U.S. Green Building Council makes it easier for companies to be more energy efficient and friendlier to the environment by helping them construct "green" buildings.
Social Investors Press Unocal to Cut Ties to Burma (10/24)
Social investors have become part of a sophisticated, multi-pronged campaign to keep the Burma issue in front Unocal senior management. (part two of a two-part article)
Students Push University of Virginia Out of Unocal (10/23)
Unocal is feeling pressure from activists because the company continues to do business with Burma's ruling military regime. (part one of a two-part article)
Mirant Commits $50 Million to Climate Change Solutions (10/05)
Energy company's plans include a more robust and transparent environmental policy.
Scandinavian Companies Work toward Sustainable Business Model (10/03)
A group of large Nordic companies are participating in an unusual partnership to create their view of a future sustainable company.
Book Review: The Civil Corporation (09/28)
The New Economy brings increased competition, faster dissemination of information and the rise of corporate citizenship.
EPA Partners with Businesses to Promote Green Power (09/27)
Voluntary program has enlisted companies, cities, universities and others with the aim of boosting the market for renewable energy.
Ethanol Producer Looks to Growth in Fuel Additive Market (09/20)
High Plains Corporation is expecting increasing demand for its products because of concern over MTBE's environmental impact.
ExxonMobil's Troubled Relationship in Aceh (09/19)
Questions are being raised about ExxonMobil, the world's largest integrated oil company, retaining the Indonesian army and police forces for security.
Political Contributions Bring Oil Drills Closer to ANWR (08/31)
U.S. PIRG finds unsurprising correlation between oil company political donations and House members that voted to allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Companies Cut Pollution Through E-commuting (08/28)
A federal government pilot program will give participating companies pollution credits based on the emission reductions achieved by telecommuting employees.
Fuel Cell Stocks Lose A Little Spark (08/03)
But for the social investor who does not get jolted by volatility, the sector may generate long-term gains.
Benchmarking Corporate Environmental and Social Reporting (07/12)
Recent survey examines the environmental and social reporting practices of the 100 largest global firms.
Labor Standards Resolutions Garner Support in 2001 Proxy Season (07/11)
Ten international labor and human rights proposals that came to vote this year received 10 percent or more support from shareowners.
Americans Increasingly Interested in Corporate Citizenship (07/10)
Survey indicates that Americans are looking for good corporate citizens, but are having difficulty finding them.
Watchdog Challenges Southern Company To Clean the Air (07/06)
The "Clean-Up Southern Company" campaign led by U.S. PIRG is educating consumers about Southern Company and air pollution.
Companies Using NAFTA to Undermine Legitimate Regulations (06/12)
New report explains how the U.S., Canadian and Mexican governments' ability to regulate in the public interest is being eroded by NAFTA's Chapter 11.
Better Corporate Governance Pays Off for Large Companies in Emerging Markets (06/04)
Recent study across global emerging markets finds large companies with good corporate governance yield better bottom lines.
Magazine Industry Is Wasting Forests (05/24)
New study finds magazines use almost no recycled paper and publishers have an incentive to overproduce wastefully.
ExxonMobil Feeling Heat on Both Sides of the Atlantic (05/17)
Shareholder resolutions and boycotts put pressure on oil giant to change its stance on global warming and embrace clean energy.
Getting Boards to Address the Triple Bottom Line (05/15)
New report proposes a set of principles and actions to assist corporate boards in addressing the triple bottom line of economic, social and environmental performance.
SAM Sees Future Profits in Energy (04/25)
New European investment company will invest in companies with innovative technologies and services that realize more efficient and environment-friendly energy use.
Business Group Supports Sustainability Via the Market Economy (04/24)
New report identifies seven factors companies must address in order to realize sustainable practices.
Major UK Fund Manager to Require Environmental Reporting (04/19)
Institutional investors are increasingly seeing the need for environmental disclosure.
Environmental Groups Endorse Shareholder Resolutions (04/12)
Environmental advocates ask for support for pro-environmental resolutions at a wide range of companies.
Do You Own Nuclear Power Stock? (04/10)
Well-known conventional mutual funds and asset managers are looking to catch profits from nuclear power’s revival.
Thirty-one Companies to Test Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (04/06)
Structured feedback will help shape the next generation of Global Reporting Initiative guidelines.
Shopping for Responsibility (04/02)
Internet site is helping consumers base shopping decisions on values.
European Members Urged to Halt Oil Activity in Sudan (03/30)
U.K.-based charity calls for companies to suspend operations that are supporting an ongoing war.
Procter & Gamble Heads List of 100 Best Corporate Citizens (03/28)
Business Ethics magazine recently published their annual rankings of the companies that best serve a diverse group of stakeholders.
Shareholder Resolution Vote Nudges Emerson on Equality (03/07)
Support from shareholders at annual meeting pushes electronic manufacturer to reconsider implementing a sexual orientation non-discrimination policy.
BP Amoco Feeling Pressure on PetroChina Holdings (02/20)
Protests held last week support a shareholder resolution demanding BP Amoco's divestiture from Chinese energy company.
Report Finds Oil Industry Responsible for Environmental Impact (01/14)
Transnational Resource and Action Center report calls on stakeholders to confront oil companies and call for "climate justice."
Texaco Three Years After the Fall (01/13)
Rising from the ashes of a racial discrimination scandal, the oil giant has become a model for challenging corporate racism.
Green Century Co-sponsors Resolution Against ARCO (01/05)
Environmental advocates re-file shareholder resolution calling on oil giant to cancel drilling plans in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
BP Amoco Leads the Industry into a Greener Future (12/23)
Several recent steps taken by BP Amoco to improve environmental performance have highlighted its leadership in the oil industry. |