Company Rankings from the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes 2012 - 2013

Here are the 2012 ranking of companies in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) as announced by Sustainability Asset Management (SAM). SAM is an investment boutique focused exclusively on Sustainability Investing, and S&P Dow Jones Indices. The Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) manages about $6 billion in assets through a variety of financial products.

As reviewed in a September 13 press release, almost 10 percent more companies participated this year as compared to last year, which Guido Giese, Head of Indexes, SAM interprets as “a strong signal of the increasing recognition that integrating sustainability into corporate strategies is essential to the bottom line."

Top 12 Green Private Equity Firms

Green private equity is a vital funding mechanism that helps entrepreneurs secure sustainable venture capital. Green private equity firms supply venture capital to companies that are focused on sustainability. Private equity is capital that is not quoted on a public exchange. It consists of investors and funds that make investments directly into private companies or conduct buyouts of public companies that result in a delisting of public equity. Capital for private equity is raised from retail and institutional investors, and can be used to fund new technologies, expand working capital within an owned company, make acquisitions, or to strengthen a balance sheet.

The Greenest College Campuses (Infographic)

Compiled By: Online Colleges Guide

America's Greenest Schools from Sierra

Each year Sierra provides complete comprehensive green rankings on America's institutions of higher learning. Here are their top 10 which they call "America's Coolest Schools."

10. Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina

ASU has America's longest-running program (it's existed since 1984) for the study of "appropriate technology"—eco-positive advances on a small, local scale. Students get hands-on lessons in alternative power, low-impact transportation, and organic agriculture. Above, participants in a geography class launch a weather balloon to gather data for snowfall-prediction research.

The 10 Greatest Social Entrepreneurs of All Time

While it is admirable to build a successful business of any kind, some entrepreneurs do more than just make a profit with the fruits of their labor. Some actually help others, bringing resources, opportunities, training, and other assets to those who need them most. These social entrepreneurs use their know-how and business savvy to make the world a better place, combining a traditional business model with a pressing social mission in ways that have been helping to make big changes in places around the world for decades. Here, we highlight just a few of the standout social entrepreneurs who're showing that successful businesses don't have to just watch the bottom line and can truly be socially and environmentally conscious.

Canada's Clean 50 from Delta Management Group

The Clean50 list was compiled by Delta Management Group. In order to ensure that The Clean50 embraced all sectors, a total of 16 categories were constructed and then at least two people were recognized in each category, based primarily on their impact within the last two years.  Delta Management Group is a twenty year old boutique search firm with a growing practice in clean tech, corporate social responsibility and sustainability professionals. Formed in 1992, Delta has a long track record of building exceptional teams, and working closely with management and stakeholders on a long-term basis as a trusted advisor and true business partner.

Canada's Green Provincial Report Card

As reported in the Miratel blog here is the third bi-annual Green Provincial Report Card published by Corporate Knights. Corporate Knights “is a media, research and financial products company focused on quantifying and animating clean capitalism drivers for decision makers.” The criteria they used for the 2012 Green Provincial Report Card was: air and climate, water, nature, transportation, waste, energy and buildings, and innovation. In addition to these seven categories, they reviewed some 35 indicators to help analyze the environmental performance of each province and territory.

Best CSR Business Rankings from Miratel Blog

Miratel blog has published an impressive number of posts on corporate social responsibility (CSR) including a series of lists that rank the best companies in Canada and the world. Here is a brief summary of some of the rankings published in the Miratel blog in 2012.

Top Canadian Corporate Citizens (2012)

Here is the eleventh annual Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada in 2012 as reviewed by the Miratel blog. The list was compiled and published by Corporate Knights. Corporate Knights “is a media, research and financial products company focused on quantifying and animating clean capitalism drivers for decision makers.” Corporate Knights is a source of objective, data-driven ‘clean capitalism’ ratings for over 2000 companies globally.”

There is growing recognition among the country’s biggest companies that business-as-usual isn’t a sustainable option over the long term” Tyler Hamilton, Editor-In-Chief Corporate Knights.