GREENBUZZ :: March 3, 2008

March 3, 2008 News, Tools & Resources from GreenBiz.com
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Taking Care of Business Amid the cacophony of concern about climate change, energy efficiency, recycling, and other hot-button issues, scrutiny of toxic chemicals persist (much like the chemicals themselves). Last week, Condé Nast Portfolio -- not your usual source of environmental activism -- named the "toxic ten", a list of companies "that should be doing better" in reducing their emissions. The admittedly subjective list included Apple, Boeing, Cargill, Chevron, Ford, and others. Also last week, the Investor Environmental Health Network released a study of the voting records of mutual funds on shareholder resolutions targeting toxic chemical use. The report examines proxy voting records of 64 major families of mutual funds on 15 toxics-related shareholder resolutions. Most funds routinely vote against these resolutions, though there are some prominent exceptions. (See also IEHN executive director Richard Liroff's essay this week on Going Beyond Compliance to Manage Business Risks from Toxic Products.) The issue of toxicity is hardly new, of course. It dates to Rachel Carson and the birth of the modern environmental movement. But it has seen a renaissance of late, what with reports of toxic toys and pet food from China, concerns about PVC and toxic flame retardants in everyday products, and stiff regulations in Europe governing toxic chemicals. For companies in a wide range of industries -- not just consumer products -- the issue of toxic emissions and contamination of products is facing growing scrutiny, especially among activist shareholders, such as pension funds. As this week's stories suggest, pressure is building for companies to come clean on their plans to reduce the risks and liabilities associated with use of some of the most deadly substances around. -- Joel Makower, Executive Editor New on GreenBiz Radio: Business as an Engine for Creating Environmental Stewards >From facilities to products, employees to customers, outdoor gear and apparel retailer REI is working to incorporate social and environmental goals into every element of its operations. GreenBiz Radio sat down with Kevin Hagen, the CSR guru at REI, to learn about the company's plans and why he believes sustainability is a team sport. You can listen to GreenBiz Radio online, download programs to your desktop, or subscribe to the GreenBiz Radio RSS feed. THIS ISSUE'S SPONSOR Want to be a GreenBuzz sponsor? Click here. Subscribe to GreenBiz.com RSS Headlines The Latest News on Business and the Environment AMD, Intel, Levi Strauss Among Big Calif. Companies Joining Green Power Buying Group Fourteen of the state's biggest energy buyers have banded together as the California Affiliates of the Green Power Group, a project spearheaded by the World Resources Institute to spur the growth of renewable power around the globe. California Grocers Recycled 2.3 Billion Pounds of Materials in 2006 The amount of plastic, paper, wood and waste recycled by 90 percent of the state's grocers in 2006 was 100 million pounds more than in 2005. Westar to Explore Renewables, Efficiency Programs Westar Energy plans to put off building additional coal-fired power plants in favor of energy efficiency programs, investing in renewable energy and improving the environmental performance of existing coal plants. U.S. May Agree to Binding Greenhouse Gas Reductions The United States could sign onto binding climate commitments that apply to both developed and developing countries. Ford, Boeing, Apple Included in 'The Toxic Ten' Portfolio magazine makes its own list of the top 10 most toxic U.S. corporations, judging them on pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and the contents of their products. Garbage Disposals Sell Better In Europe When Cast in Green Hue The InSinkErator reportedly made inroads into the European markets by marketing its garbage disposal product as environmentally friendly. Toxic Chemical Releases Dip in '06 The amount of industry-related toxic chemicals released into the air, waterways, landfills or injected underground fell 2 percent in 2006 compared to the year before. Wal-Mart First to Join Program Connecting Cleantech Companies With Projects Wal-Mart joins Cleantech Group's Accelerator project, seeking help with sustainability projects from cleantech companies. Agriculture Can Speed or Slow Climate Change, Groups Say Organic fertilizers can significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions if used properly, according to a new scientific report; but unless the organic farming community works to create goals for climate protection any gains could be overwhelmed by international shipments of food products. Renault to Boost Car Recycling French car giant Renault announced it will team up with waste management firm Sita as part of a joint venture designed to bolster the company's car recycling services. EPA Could Exempt Farms From Reporting Certain Emissions The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to exempt farms from reporting emissions of certain toxic gases, such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. DOE Selects Three VC Firms for Cleantech Pilot Kleiner, Perkins, Caulfield & Byers, ARCH Venture Partners and Foundation Capital will join the DOE's Entrepreneur in Residence pilot program to bring clean technologies to market faster. Put GreenBiz news on your site for free! Learn more... > MORE NEWS HEADLINES Featured Resource A Wealth of Hands-On Help Mutual Neglect: How the Largest Institutions in the Stock Market Ignore Health Problems and Financial Threats Stemming From Toxic Product Liabilities This report reviews the voting records of major mutual funds — the largest category of institutional shareholders in U.S. stock markets, collectively holding more than one third of assets invested in U.S. companies — on shareholder resolutions introduced in 2006-2007 addressing toxic chemical issues. It shows that most major funds routinely vote against or abstain from voting on these resolutions. Doing Good: Business and the Sustainability Challenge Energy efficiency has become one of company leaders' three most important priorities when it comes to greening operations, and bringing down energy use in offices and facilities is a significant way of achieving that goal, according to this new study. > MORE TOOLS > MORE WEB SITES Columns and Features Insight and Inspiration from the Experts An Ad Agency That Wants to Change the World? By Saabira Chaudhuri, Fast Company Saatchi & Saatchi's World Changing Ideas Awards recognize and encourage innovative ideas that have the potential to make a difference, from a straw that kills germs to a cap that reads the brainwaves of paralyzed people. Are Plug-In Hybrids a Path to Salvation? Be Careful What You Wish For By Brad Allenby As the current backlash on corn-based ethanol shows, when we fall in love with promising new technology too quickly, we run the risk of creating worse problems than we're originally trying to solve. Going Beyond Compliance to Manage Business Risks from Toxic Products By Richard Liroff Facing a lack of leadership from Washington, states from coast to coast and forward-looking companies like Wal-Mart and Consorta are creating business-led solutions to help industry getting out in front of potential legislation on toxic chemicals. GreenBiz Blogs Joel Makower's Two Steps Forward: Green Corporate Communications > More from Joel Makower Marc Gunther on Corporate America: A Concrete Way to Help the Planet > More from Marc Gunther Andy Savitz's Triple Bottom Line Blog: Consumption -- The Other Side of Sustainability > More from Andy Savitz Wanna write for GreenBiz? GreenBiz is looking for guest and regular columnists and feature writers. We're seeking contributions from business leaders as well as the journalists who write about them. If you're interested, send a brief query to managing editor Matthew Wheeland, at editor@greenbiz.com | Read our editorial guidelines > MORE COLUMNS > MORE FEATURES