Communications
During our research and selection process, there are opportunities to share our concerns with companies and the public.
We believe investors can play an important role in raising awareness of environmental concerns through direct dialogue with companies as well as government and community stakeholders. Following is a list of communications recently undertaken.
12.8.09
Letter to U.S. Senators regarding low carbon fuels
Portfolio 21 recognizes the long term risks (both financial and ecological) to companies involved with high carbon fuels, such as tar sands and liquid coal. Portfolio 21 supports legislation that will aid the promotion and innovation of low carbon fuels. Recognizing that future regulations will shape the business landscape, Portfolio 21 also supports the adoption of a Low Carbon Fuel Standard that takes into account life cycle emissions (including indirect land use effects) of fuels.
10.8.09
Investor letter to members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Portfolio 21 signed an investor letter addressed to members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce regarding the Chamber's position on climate change. The trade organization has played an antagonistic role in climate negotiations and has even challenged the science of climate change. Although numerous companies have withdrawn from the Chamber, several Portfolio 21 companies remain, including Baxter International, Hewlett Packard, Intel, and Johnson Controls. We have asked the companies to distinguish their position on climate change from that of the Chamber by withdrawing membership or making a public declaration.
8.14.09
Investor statement on the urgent need for a global agreement on climate change.
Portfolio 21 signed an investor statement that calls on world leaders to reach a strong post-2012 climate change agreement at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen in December. Credible, long-term policies are critical for investors to integrate climate change considerations into decision-making processes. The statement echoes our beliefs and calls for a multi-pronged approach to regulating carbon emissions, a global target for emissions reductions, and government support for energy efficiency and low carbon technologies.
7.20.09
Endorsement of disclosure policy proposal
As a member of the Social Investment Forum (SIF), Portfolio 21 endorses SIF's proposal to advance corporate responsibility. SIF's proposal contains two components. The first requests the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require issuers to report annually on a comprehensive, uniform set of sustainability indicators comprised of both universally applicable and industry-specific components. The second asks that the SEC issue interpretative guidance to clarify that companies are required to disclose short- and long-term sustainability risks in the Management Discussion and Analysis section of the 10-K.
7.10.09
Letter to Nucor Corporation regarding opposition to climate change bill
Portfolio 21 believes climate change is one of, if not the largest, ecological threats facing humanity and the natural world. Portfolio 21 advocates for increasing regulation on greenhouse gases globally. A recent press release by Nucor Corporation praised a Congressman for voting against the cap and trade bill in the House of Representatives in June 2009 and urged Senators to vote against the bill when it is before the Senate. Portfolio 21 wrote to Nucor to question the company's motivations and request further clarification on the kind of climate change legislation the company would support.
6.22.09
Portfolio 21 signs letter to U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding bisphenol A.
In conjunction with other concerned investors, Portfolio 21 signed a letter supporting the Food and Drug Administrations's decision to reconsider its safety assessment of bisphenol A (BPA) and urged the agency to use independent, unbiased science to inform its new assessment. BPA is a chemical that mimics estrogen in the body and is widely used in the food, beverage and packaging sectors. In early 2009 the Journal of the American Medical Association published the first-ever study of the chemical conducted on humans and confirmed previous reports linking BPA to "some of the most significant and economically burdensome human diseases."
6.4.09
Social Investment Forum submission of comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Social Investment Forum, of which Portfolio 21 Investments is a member, submitted comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposal for a mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) emission corporate reporting rule. Comments focused on the importance of obtaining GHG emission data not only by facility, but also by parent company. Obtaining whole data would allow for thorough analysis and understanding of a company's use of energy and associated GHG emissions.
3.17.09
Portfolio 21 endorses Healthy Climate Partnership
The Healthy Climate Partnership is a broad coalition of groups and individuals committed to reducing Oregon's greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. The Partnership's mission is to pass, in the 2009 Oregon Legislature, a cap on global warming pollution and sound policies and rulemaking authority to meet that cap.
2.13.09
Letter to Majority Leader Reid and Republican Leader McConnell
Portfolio 21 signed a letter in January 2009 urging the President and Congress to pass the stimulus bill. When the stimulus bill passed, it made a significant public investment in a clean energy economy. In a follow-up letter sent in February 2009, the Investor Network on Climate Risk and Portfolio 21 urge the Obama Administration and Congress to pass further legislation on energy, transportation, and climate change that has the potential to create a framework in which private investment can drive energy efficiency, renewable energy, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
1.22.09
Letter to Majority Leader Reid and Republican Leader McConnell
Portfolio 21 was a signatory to a letter addressing Congressional leadership and the Obama Administration. The letter urged Congress to pass an economic stimulus package that included significant funding for clean energy and energy efficiency as well as public and clean transportation options. The letter further detailed how such a stimulus package could potentially create jobs, save money, and strengthen the economy while saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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