How Apple Transitioned from Corporate Luddite to Environmental Leader

Companies are showing that change is both possible and profitable. As we stare down the barrel of a dark future companies are acknowledging the emergence of a new reality that forces them to change the way they do business. Embracing sustainability makes sense even for those who were slow off the mark. Apple proves that it is possible to transition from a climate Luddite to a climate leader.

Leading corporations are helping to show the way forward and no company has come further in recent years than Apple. The tech leader has not always been an environmental leader. That changed when Tim Cook was named CEO in 2011. He then had the good sense to hire former EPA administrator Lisa Jackson to be the VP of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. Since then the company has significantly improved their sustainability performance while ameliorating working conditions and transparency.

Earth Day 2016 is the Most Hopeful Ever

This is an Earth Day unlike any that have preceded it. After almost five decades of grass roots activism, the festivities in 2016 finally have something to celebrate. This year we are driving a stake into the heart of climate pessimism. We are challenging those that doubt our resolve and we are breathing hope into a new climate narrative. 

We are seeing tremendous momentum in renewable energy and corporate sustainability. There is clear evidence that the fossil fuel industry is in decline. The Paris Climate Agreement offers the strongest reason yet to be optimistic this Earth Day. For the first time in history the human race has come together to collectively resolve to take on the greatest threat modern humans have ever known.

Diminishing Profits Signal the Beginning of the End of Oil

Oil is dying. Low oil prices are erasing profits and setting into motion a death spiral from which fossil fuels will not recover. Big Oil is cutting costs, and scaling back production, this results in smaller returns and diminished investor confidence. The addition of carbon pricing schemes and the elimination of subsidies will ultimately inflate prices and reduce demand.
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Oil is a Bad Investment

Iinvestors can no longer avoid the realization that their fossil fuel holdings are fraught with risks. While there are many factors at play, the 18 month slide and low price forecasts combine to make the point that investing in oil makes no economic sense.

In the short term China's slowing growth and the glut of oil are driving down the price. The situation will be exacerbated by the lifting of sanctions allowing Iran to sell its oil. High production and lower than expected demand mean that oil prices will continue to fall well into 2016.

Financial Losses Associated with Fossil Fuels

The losses associated with fossil fuels are staggering and it is not just oil producing states and companies that are feeling the heat. Pension funds going long on oil are getting killed as they hope that prices will rebound.

With oil prices around $50 per barrel, the IEA estimates that OPEC states have lost half a trillion dollars a year in revenues since the oil price fell from over $100 a barrel in 2011-2014 to current levels. The declining price of oil is also creating volatility in the stock market and significantly impacting the petro-economies of both Russia and Canada.

Sustainability in the Apparel Industry and Eco Fashion (Video)

Sustainable apparel and eco-friendly fashion is growing. This type of fashion has a much smaller environmental footprint this includes minimizing waste and eliminating the use of harmful chemicals. For years the clothing industry has been dominated by cheap imports from places like China and India, however, burgeoning consumer awareness about social and environmental issues are pushing brands in more responsible directions.

Nike has been pushed by consumers to become a more sustainable company and Patagonia has made a name for itself by being one of the most responsible and sustainable companies in the world. A host of other brands have also boarded the sustainability train. This includes accessible brands like H&M and North Face, to high end designer brands like Gucci, Calvin Klein and Stella McCartney.

Sustainability Reporting Attracts Investors and Improves ROI (Video)

Here is a panel discussion designed to improve returns and attract investors. This discussion offers practical insights and helps commercial property owners with reputation management, employee engagement and efficiency. It also increases access to capital. This discussion is ideal for all who own or intend to buy or sell real estate. It is also for property managers, developers, and sustainability professionals.

Moderator: Heather Gadonniex, Director of Sustainable Building and Construction, PE International

Panelists

Helen Gurfel, Executive Director, ULI Greenprint
Gary Holtzer, Senior Managing Director, Hines
Kristen Sullivan, Partner, Deloitte
Dan Winters, Director for North America, Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark



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Event - Sustainable Investing Conference: Risk Value Impact

The 5th annual Sustainable Investing: Risk, Value, Impact conference will take place May 4th–6th at the Westin Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Participants will learn about new approaches, trends and policy developments while networking with industry leaders.

This event offers a unique opportunity to network with leaders of the sustainable, responsible and impact investing community, and to learn about new approaches, trends and policy developments in the field. The conference will attract representatives of investment management and advisory firms, research firms, financial planners and advisors, broker-dealers, community development institutions and asset owners such as pension funds and foundations, along with policymakers and corporate leaders.

Low Oil Prices Offer an Opportunity to Combat Climate Change

The plunge in the price of oil makes this an ideal time to deploy market disincentives that can cut emissions and combat climate change. We know that if we are to stave off the worst impacts of climate change we must substantially reduce our emissions. As the leading cause of climate change fossil fuels are the most obvious focal point.

All but the willfully ignorant understand that the economic costs of inaction far outweigh the costs of engagement. We have seen a number of studies which suggest the longer we wait the more it will cost.

Unimpressive Year for Canadian Cleantech Stocks: Top Performers

It has been an unimpressive year for cleantech stock in Canada. The S&P/TSX Renewable Energy and Clean Technology Index opened at 109.26 on January 3, 2014 and it closed at 110.47 on December 24, 2014. The index has just one solitary stock single stock with a triple digit gain. 

Green Stock Outlook Post Santa Claus Rally

While markets have been generous once again this Christmas, there are some dark clouds on the horizon for green investors.

Almost ever year Wall Street enjoys a "Santa Claus Rally" and this commonly includes green stock. This year, as markets fell in December, investors where wondering whether bearish sentiments were going to deny them a Christmas rally.

White Paper - Communications Strategy for Green Investment

A 2013 white paper released by the publisher of the Global Green Economy Index™ addresses communications as a strategy for advancing green investment and growth. Research and data associated with the Global Green Economy Index™ (GGEI) suggest that strategic communications and better information exchange between consumers, businesses and policymakers is often an overlooked strategy for advancing green growth and cleantech investment.

The white paper from Dual Citizen LLC supports this finding through six cases where strategic communications and better information campaigns have a role to play in supporting investment, cleantech entrepreneurship and policy development that advances green economic growth.

Event - Investing in the UK Green Economy

Investing in the UK green economy: challenges and next steps for policy will take place on January 22, 2015, at Glaziers Hall, 9 Montague Close, in London UK. Hosted by Westminster Forum Projects (WFP), this CDP certified conference aims to provide a timely opportunity to examine the progress and next steps in the ongoing transition towards a green and low carbon UK economy - examining the remaining challenges in meeting 2020 objectives, implications for sustainable investment with ongoing negotiations for 2030 targets, and priorities for Government policy in the next Parliament.

Required Climate Investments and Impact on Growth According the IPCC Synthesis Report

Massive investment is required for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Here is a summary of needed investments and their impact on growth from the IPCC's recently released Synthesis Report.

Concern about the impact on growth is one of the primary reasons why some resist mitigation efforts. However, the Synthesis report says that the impact of climate investment on global economic growth would be negligible. Such investment would not impede growth which is expected to be between1.6 per cent to 3 percent per year until the dawn of the next century.

Event - Solar Energy Investment & Technology Forum 2014

This event will take place on November 14th 2014 in Bengalure. Solar Energy Investment & Technology will be hosted by UBM India, the organiser of Renewable Energy India Expo. The theme for this event is, "accelerating solar energy for growth of large and SME industries."

Peru's Massive Illegal Logging Industry

The murder of indigenous activists is drawing attention to the massive trade in illegal forest products from Peru. The vast majority of logging activities in the country are illegal. Although Peru has a large rainforest current rates of illegal logging are unsustainable.

According to a 2012 World Bank report, as much as 80 percent of Peru’s logging exports are harvested illegally. Sophisticated wood laundering schemes help to bring this wood to international markets. This involves doctored papers that make the wood appear legal.

The US is among the nations that buy this illegal timber. According to a 2012 report by the Environmental Investigation Agency, at least 40 percent of cedar exports to the US include illegally logged timber. The wood from a single old-growth mahogany tree can earn more than $11,000 on the US lumber market.

Sustainable Design in the New World Trade Center Buildings

Thirteen years ago today the twin towers were destroyed by terrorists, but from the ashes of that terrible day new green World Trade Center buildings have taken their place. Seven World Trade Center (7 WTC) was completed in 2006 and the much larger One World Trade Center (1 WTC) also known as "Freedom Tower" was completed in 2013. These building are models of sustainable design.

Seven World Trade Center

7 WTC is a pioneer in terms of environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, and quality of life. The building has earned the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) gold status under its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-rating system. This is the first green commercial office building in New York City to have such certification. It is also part of part of the USGBC Pilot Program for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - Core and Shell Development (LEED-CS).

The Ongoing Environmental Impacts of 9/11 on Health and Finances

This is a repost of an article that was originally published in The Green Market Oracle in 2012. It covers the ongoing environmental, health and financial impacts of the tragic destruction of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.

In addition to the horrific cost to human life, 9/11 has had a devastating environmental impact that continues to harm human health. The felling of the twin towers in Manhattan on September 11th 2001, killed 2973 people, and the toll on human life continues to be felt more than a decade after the tragic event. First responders charged with cleaning up the carnage, along with others who spent time on or near the 9/11 site continue to suffer from serious health effects.

Infographic: Investors and Sustainability

Lucrative Investment Opportunities are Driving the Growth of Sustainability

Climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts are helping to fuel the growth of stock markets. Investors are increasingly seeing the wisdom of factoring sustainability into their investment equations. The S&P 500 recently surpassed the 2000 level and surveys indicate that companies on this index are mindful of climate change.

According to a 2012 report from the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, almost 90 percent of S&P Global 100 Index companies identified climate change and extreme weather as current or future business risks. The growth of S&P mirrors the growth of the American stock market as a whole. One of the factors driving this growth is the increasing interest in sustainable investing.