2001 Company Dialogue

12.17.01

Baxter International advances toward PVC-free IV bags

The 12/17/01 Plastics News reports that Baxter International has announced concrete plans to substitute another material for PVC intravenous bags, and that the company also continues work on finding non-PVC substitutes for blood bags and tubing which have more rigorous performance requirements. Portfolio 21 Investments has been involved in a shareholder dialogue with Baxter on this issue, along with other investors and the environmental group Health Care Without Harm, encouraging the company to demonstrate clear leadership to phase out PVC. While other companies already produce non-PVC bags, and Baxter owns a European firm that produces a version limited to that market, this announcement is important as Baxter is one of the two largest medical bag makers in the United States. We applaud Baxter for this step toward a phase out of PVC. However, there are still differences between the perspectives of Portfolio 21 (and the broader pressure group) and Baxter, regarding the demand for PVC alternatives. We believe there is growing demand for non-PVC products due to health and environmental concerns (and have data to support this) while Baxter believes the issue is of limited concern to its customers. We encourage Baxter to show continued leadership globally, and particularly within the US, to finding PVC alternatives.

9.26.01

Electronic Product Stewardship multi-stakeholder group

Since September of 2001 Portfolio 21 Investments has been participating in a multi-stakeholder group convened to address the problem of the growing electronic waste stream. Electronic products, such as computers, contain toxic substances and valuable components that should be retrieved. Portfolio 21 has been particularly involved in the "Market Drivers" subgroup that is examining various mechanisms that can be used to achieve the objectives of a broad reuse/recycling system, prioritizing market and financial mechanisms over mandates. Participation in this group is ongoing.

9.26.01

Hewlett Packard: Feasibility studies for electronic waste

Portfolio 21 Investments attempted to co-file a resolution with Hewlett Packard asking the company to prepare a report on the feasibility of adopting a policy, implementing programs, and auditing progress of producer responsibility for their products. While Hewlett Packard does already do some product take-back, Portfolio 21 believes the required fees provide a significant disincentive for consumers to recycle, and that the cost of proper environmental management should be factored into the purchase price of the product. Additionally, Portfolio 21 believes Hewlett Packard has an important leadership role to play in developing an industry-wide solution to this problem. In recent years we have seen growing consumer concern regarding the disposal of electronics products due to the toxicity of materials in these items, as well as the growing amount of electronics waste. Additionally, both within the US and abroad there is increasing governmental concern and activity on these issues. Further, from an environmental sustainability perspective, the current lack of any significant amount of computer recycling represents a significant waste of resources. This resolution will be voted on at the 2002 annual shareholder meeting. Note: Due to a technicality, Portfolio 21's name will not appear on the proxy statement as a co-filer. The resolution will be represented by Calvert Funds.

9.21.01

Attendance and comments at Nike's Annual Shareholder Meeting

Portfolio 21 Investments participated in a stakeholder feedback process regarding its recently released 2004 Sustainability Report. We provided general comments complimenting the company for its transparency (particularly water pollutants, environmental compliance issues, product stories and future goals). Additionally, the company's environmental financial statement continues to be a leading feature of the report and its results are a testament to the good work being done at Baxter. We also provided nitty gritty comments regarding web layout and ease of navigation. And finally, we made one suggested improvement—that the company add, to both the print summary and the website, a big picture discussion, i.e., what does Baxter see as its biggest social and environmental impacts and controversial issues (e.g., PVC, bioethics, climate change). These are all issues that the company addresses on the website, but there isn't a central place that gives a summary of the company's most significant issues and impact.

8.23.01

Comments regarding the EPA's evaluation of Bt crop registrations - urging the EPA to end the registrations for Bt crops

We believe that government has a responsibility to protect consumers and the environment. Given the long list of risks associated with genetic engineering (including increased chances of allergic reactions, genetic pollution risks to organic crops, risks to wildlife and biodiversity, risks to ecosystem integrity and uncertainties and lack of information) and the mounting evidence indicating genetically engineered crops pose a serious threat to the environment, public health, and organic and conventional agriculture, we believe the EPA should end registrations of Bt crops and require these products to be taken off the market. For our full position on biotechnology, please see our Biotechnology Policy.

7.17.01

Opposition to provisions in the Bush Administration's national energy policy that could serve to increase the practice of municipal solid waste incineration

Portfolio 21 Investments joins the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Environmental Defense, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace USA , Natural Resources Defense Council and a host of other organizations to express our opposition to provisions in the Bush Administration's national energy policy that could serve to increase the practice of municipal solid waste incineration. The Environmental Protection Agency has found municipal solid waste incinerators to be the number one source of dioxin emissions nationwide, and a significant source of other dangerous toxic substances including mercury and lead. While we strongly support the use of renewable energy like wind and solar power, the incineration of municipal solid waste is neither a renewable biomass energy source (particularly with its high content of plastics and other non-biological materials) nor is it an environmentally sound or sustainable technology. In this letter we called on President Bush and a number of Representatives and Senators to oppose any measures that could support or increase solid waste incineration and insist that any measures providing incentives for renewable energy explicitly exclude waste incineration.

1.2.01

Ballard: fuel cell development and fuel selection for maximum environmental benefits

Fuel cell technology has the potential to play a tremendous role in the development of a sustainable society. The long-term environmentally sustainable vision of the transportation industry is of fuel cell vehicles directly supplied with pure hydrogen that is generated via electrolysis using renewable energy such as wind or solar. However, this vision is a long way off and decisions made today regarding interim fuel sources and associated infrastructure can have a significant impact on the short-term environmental benefits of fuel cells. Portfolio 21 Investments asks that Ballard reconsider its position on methanol as the short-term fuel of choice for fuel cell applications as this fuel offers minimal environmental advantages over alternatives when life-cycle impacts are considered. Based on the results of a life cycle analysis completed by the Pembina Institute, we recommend developing the necessary technology and infrastructure to use natural gas to generate pure hydrogen for fuel cells. We believe this is the most environmentally beneficial option available in the short term.