Today, we are riding a green wave of awareness about environmental and social issues. The revolution in hybrid cars, the heightened interest in organic products, the boom in the wellness industry, and the development of clean energy and water alternatives all paint a green picture of a new society brought about by concerns for the future of our environment.
Americans are changing their habits; long after the initial, cautionary green slogans were shouted by a few who were thought to be on the fringes of society, the message is now woven into our everyday lives. These new practices are expanding our awareness of the changes that are in store as the sustainable-living wave gathers momentum.
Sustainable investing has the potential to drive the next wave of entrepreneurship and high-growth corporations. Demand for socially responsible companies, concern over climate change and the need for energy independence support a broader scope of sustainable investing.
Increasingly, investors are making choices that align with their own personal convictions. They are investing in ways that promote greater corporate responsibility. As a result, investors are paying close attention to the environmental, social and governance issues (known as ESG factors) that underpin the philosophy of socially responsible investing (SRI) and sustainability. These issues include:
•
Commitment to sound environmental practices
•
Products that are both green and safe
to use
•
Good employer-employee relations and employer-community relations
•
Citizen-friendly policies in the region of operation
•
Track record of political stability and respect for human rights
According to a new report from the Sustainable Investment Research Analyst Network (SIRAN), the number of S&P 100 companies producing sustainability reports with performance data jumped by more than a third in the past year. Moreover, almost all companies in the S&P 100 now provide at least some sustainability information on their Web sites. This growth in reporting and transparency confirms that investors look for solid ESG performance in valuing companies and that companies are willing to comply.
There is no need to sacrifice potential solid performance in the desire to be a socially responsible investor. A new research analysis report from A.T. Kearney produces convincing evidence that companies that are committed to corporate sustainability practices are achieving above-average profitability and performance in the financial markets.
Despite today's economic hardships and uncertainties — or perhaps because of them — American creativity and entrepreneurial energy are pushing us into a new green world designed to grow sustainable practices and renewable resources.
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is a proven leader in the movement to assist its members to grow green and sustainable businesses. The chamber issues a Green Checklist Certificate to businesses that meet specific requirements to be certified as socially, environmentally and economically responsible. Call the chamber for workshop dates and learn how your company could benefit from this program, or visit the Web site www.carlsbad.org for more
information.
Many of the businesses in the chamber are engaged in this green revolution and you can be, too. Attend the Business is Green Expo March 17, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Windmill Banquet and Catering, where many green products and services will be showcased. Go to the chamber Web site or call for information.
Americans are changing their habits; long after the initial, cautionary green slogans were shouted by a few who were thought to be on the fringes of society, the message is now woven into our everyday lives. These new practices are expanding our awareness of the changes that are in store as the sustainable-living wave gathers momentum.
Sustainable investing has the potential to drive the next wave of entrepreneurship and high-growth corporations. Demand for socially responsible companies, concern over climate change and the need for energy independence support a broader scope of sustainable investing.
Increasingly, investors are making choices that align with their own personal convictions. They are investing in ways that promote greater corporate responsibility. As a result, investors are paying close attention to the environmental, social and governance issues (known as ESG factors) that underpin the philosophy of socially responsible investing (SRI) and sustainability. These issues include:
•
Commitment to sound environmental practices
•
Products that are both green and safe
to use
•
Good employer-employee relations and employer-community relations
•
Citizen-friendly policies in the region of operation
•
Track record of political stability and respect for human rights
According to a new report from the Sustainable Investment Research Analyst Network (SIRAN), the number of S&P 100 companies producing sustainability reports with performance data jumped by more than a third in the past year. Moreover, almost all companies in the S&P 100 now provide at least some sustainability information on their Web sites. This growth in reporting and transparency confirms that investors look for solid ESG performance in valuing companies and that companies are willing to comply.
There is no need to sacrifice potential solid performance in the desire to be a socially responsible investor. A new research analysis report from A.T. Kearney produces convincing evidence that companies that are committed to corporate sustainability practices are achieving above-average profitability and performance in the financial markets.
Despite today's economic hardships and uncertainties — or perhaps because of them — American creativity and entrepreneurial energy are pushing us into a new green world designed to grow sustainable practices and renewable resources.
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is a proven leader in the movement to assist its members to grow green and sustainable businesses. The chamber issues a Green Checklist Certificate to businesses that meet specific requirements to be certified as socially, environmentally and economically responsible. Call the chamber for workshop dates and learn how your company could benefit from this program, or visit the Web site www.carlsbad.org for more
information.
Many of the businesses in the chamber are engaged in this green revolution and you can be, too. Attend the Business is Green Expo March 17, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Windmill Banquet and Catering, where many green products and services will be showcased. Go to the chamber Web site or call for information.