Top Green Stock Picks for 2012

The stock market has not performed well in 2011 and green stocks are no exception. If the US can maintain its current trajectory and Europe can avoid slipping into recession, 2012 may prove to be a better year for the alternative energy and cleantech sector. The overall environment was not the only drag on stocks in 2011, the Chinese flooded the market with cheap solar panels, bringing the price down and taking some solar companies with it.

Canaccord Genuity has its “Best Ideas” list for the CleanTech sector in 2012 and they are focused on companies which are adopting trends for technologies that optimize energy creation and consumption.

Some of their top picks for 2012 include Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) and Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI). Another one of their top picks is a Canadian company by the name of RuggedCom.

Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) was maintained as Buy: “…we remain decidedly contrarian as shares continue to trough, yet the multi-year Smart Grid product cycle continues to unfold through mid-decade. We favor the company’s strong market share and FCF generation capabilities (10%+ FCF yield), ongoing restructuring efforts, share buyback and active M&A program against current investor concerns about ’12 & ’13 EPS power and European exposure. We find recently reinstalled CEO LeRoy Nosbaum acting with an appropriate degree of urgency to catalyze value creation at the current share price.”

Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) was maintained as Buy: “We believe that LEDs will help accelerate Acuity’s traditional sales over time while growing to become accretive to the business model. As such, we see the potential for $3.50 to $4.00 in earnings power per share in 2013/2014 as the secular trend starts to manifest. We remain aggressive buyers on pullbacks from the fits and starts in the non-residential construction markets, and we view 2012 as the right time to build a meaningful position in the shares.”

RuggedCom is a Canadian company which trades as “RCM” in Toronto and Canaccord Genuity noted, “We find management execution impressive, as RuggedCom continues to generate above-market growth with industry-leading profitability. The core industrial switch/router business continues on its growth trajectory, while the achievement of profitability within the wireless business is a notable milestone… we find risk/reward attractive here.”

For more information go to the Canaccord Genuity site.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Creating Climate Wealth UK Summit

Creating Climate Wealth (CCW) UK summit, will be held at the University College in London (UCL), on September 13 and 14, 2011. The UK is at a low carbon economy crossroads. A ‘transition to 2050’ requires long term planning, huge infrastructure investments and sustained action on many fronts. Yet it also offers an immediate transformational opportunity to create new wealth, jobs and global competitiveness.

CCW London’s goal is to stimulate the flow of capital to clean technologies that can transform the way we live and work today, creating new markets and making billion ton scale carbon reductions.

For the summit agenda click here.

The following delegates are a selection of the some of the people who are attending the London summit:

Founder, BM Design Oy
President, VanDyne Super Turbo
Co-Founder, Ridesharing Institute
Energy Efficiency in Built Environment:

Chief Executive, UK Green Building Council
Executive Director, 10:10
Managing Partner, Plus Ultra Asset Management
Chairman, Ygrene Energy Fund
Head of Energy, Virgin Media
Senior Manager, Deloitte
Financial Innovation:

Project Manager, Volans
Chairman, Environmental Parliament
CEO, Trillion Fund
Renewable Fuels:

Head of Sustainability, Virgin Atlantic
CEO, Paradigm BioAviation
Managing Director, Elsevier
Ships and Shipping:

Director, SCM Services Pty Ltd
Project Manager, KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH
Director, First Carbon Solutions
CMO Europe, GE Energy
Technical Director, Intertanko
COO, DK Group
Director, European Cruise Council
Secretary General, SEAaT
Smart Cities:

Sustainability Leader, EcoLab
Lead Technologist Smart Energy Systems , Technology Strategy Board
CEO, Synergy Productions GmbH
Investment Analyst, CIFF
Sustainable Agriculture:

Director, Beyond Carbon
Agricultural Division, Trimble
Business Development, Brightfarms
CEO, Royal Agriculture Society of England
Chief Adviser Renewable Energy and Climate Change, NFO

For more information click here.

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Impact Investing Summit 2011

On Monday June 13, The Impact Investing Summit (iiSummit) aims to mobilize the power of private capital in the Midwest for social and financial return. hosted by the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. The first-ever summit will focus on the ways this growing industry bridges social and environmental impact with investment vehicles that are attractive to mainstream investors.

Impact investing is an emerging asset class that is gaining increased recognition from institutional investors, high net worth individuals, and private foundations. In this nascent industry, there is a range of options around financial returns, type and location of investment, and potential exits. The iiSummit will bring together national experts in this field—including members and advisors to private foundations; State Department and SBA representatives; and institutional, venture capital, and individual investors—to explore impact investment options for the Midwest.

This summit supports current efforts of the U.S. Secretary of State’s Global Partnership Initiative (GPI). In 2010, GPI began the “20ii - Investing for Impact” initiative to leverage the assets of corporations and investors to achieve social and environmental impact in underserved markets and help achieve the U.S. government’s foreign policy objectives.

At the iiSummit, institutional investors, high net worth individuals, private foundations, and USG representatives as well as a broad range of investment practitioners will examine the impact investing sector in a series of lectures and panel sessions. Topics for discussion include successful investment models, social innovation and policy, and social impact trends in the Midwest.

“The Midwest is generating novel for-profit ventures that are creating both social and financial returns but require growth capital,” said Linda Darragh, clinical professor and director of entrepreneurship programs for the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship at Chicago Booth. “But we can no longer rely on philanthropy alone. Impact investments are the fuel needed to grow this new class of ventures that will better our society and environment.”

“The iiSummit aims to further this discussion by educating the investment community about how to harness private capital in the Midwest and direct these resources for social and financial return,” said Jamie Jones, associate director of the Social Enterprise at Kellogg (SEEK) program at the Kellogg School. “This is an ideal time to bring impact investing and new investment models to the forefront of the business community, especially here in Chicago.”

The events of the day will be capped off by three presentations from Midwest ventures that highlight the opportunity for impact investments.

Speakers:

-Kris Balderston, special representative for global partnerships, U.S. Department of State Global Partnership Initiative
-David Chen, managing partner, Equilibrium Capital Group
-Sasha Dichter, director of business development, Acumen Fund
-Sean Greene, associate administrator for investment and senior adviser for innovation at the U.S. Small Business Administration
-David Kirkpatrick, managing director and co-founder, SJF Ventures
-Wes Selke, investment manager, Good Capital & Hub Ventures
-Thomas Debass, U.S. Department of State Global Partnership Initiative
-Noel Kullavanijaya, Equilibrium Capital
-Tom Balderston, Investors' Circle and Patient Capital Collaborative
-Patrick Fisher, Creation Ventures
-Deborah Quazzo, NeXtAdvisors
-Karen Lehman, Fresh Taste Initiative
-Keith Crandell, ARCH Venture Partners and Clean Energy Trust

For more information click here.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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International Impact Investing Challenge

The Johnson Graduate School of Management and the Kellogg School of Management have joined forces to launch the 2011 International Impact Investing Challenge. This competition is unique because it challenges MBA students to solve the world’s biggest problems – poverty, climate change, ecosystem degradation – with innovation and entrepreneurship.

The competition will challenge MBA students to achieve economic returns that support progress on global impact issues. Teams from a dozen top MBA programs are competing for more than $40,000 in awards in a final event at J.P. Morgan in New York City on April 8.

The International Impact Investing Challenge is an invitation-only pitch competition focused on designing investment vehicles that create sustainable impact and are of the size and scope that would be of interest to institutional investors. Students are challenged to propose and defend a sustainable investment strategy for an institutional investor that has a $10 to $50 million mandate for making sustainable investments.

Twelve MBA programs will be invited to send one team to represent their program at a final competition at the J.P. Morgan headquarters in New York on April 8, 2011. A selection panel of experienced investors and officers who currently manage family foundations, pension funds, university endowments, etc. will review the pitches. Judging criteria rewards high performance, sustainability-driven investments. Portfolios will be judged for an understanding of the interdependence among business, society and the environment for a competitive advantage.

March 18, 2011: Schools submit names of their representative by 5pm EST

March 25, 2011: Teams submit a two-page prospectus via email by 5pm EST

April 8, 2011: Final Competition in NYC and winners announced8am-3pm: Final Presentations,5pm-7pm: Award Reception

Guidelines

An increasing number of institutional investors have recognized an opportunity for a sustainable investment mandate within their portfolios. Specifically, the investors seek to identify investment strategies that can meet the financial needs of the organization by investing in established businesses, new ventures, or other investment vehicles that are consistent with the principles of sustainability. Emphasis will be placed on creative strategies that integrate environmental, social or corporate governance (ESG) issues into the investment process. The officers will consider a broad range of strategies, from those focused on global concerns to those that give attention to local communities. The best proposals will offer a novel investment strategy over current approaches. Teams are encouraged to think beyond venture capital fund vehicles & strategies.

Institutions seeking investments may include but are not limited to:

• University Endowments
• Retirement and Pension Funds
• Family Foundations

Assume all institutions have earmarked $10-50 million for this new mandate and are now seeking proposals for investment. The institutions are looking for a clear articulation of an investment strategy that addresses the following criteria:

• Investment is designed to generate both competitive returns and positive social and/or
• environmental impact.
• Risk management is commensurate with target returns.
• Investment is attractive in respect of size and scope to institutional investors with a $10M mandate.

Performance metrics for both the financial and social return components are transparent and well-defined, demonstrating clear linkage between program outcomes and social impact. Particular consideration will be given to strategies that design a portfolio that balances risk and positive returns related to financial, environmental and social factors. The institutions are open to multiple asset classes, including but not limited to:

• Public equities
• Private equity/venture capital
• Real assets
• Fixed income securities
• Microfinance lending and investing
• Loans

Any strategy should consider the following issues:

• Who are the potential investors and how/why does the vehicle fit within their strategy
• Potential volatility of market value
• The lock-up or time commitment required
• Financial returns
• How the strategy fits within the target institution's portfolio
• The larger scale environmental and social impact of the investment

The Challenge is looking for innovative investment ideas that balance the tension between financial and social return rather than sacrifice either priority. There is no limitation on asset class or investment vehicle and teams are encouraged to think creatively. The focus is on investment vehicles and fund strategies versus companies.

Prizes

More than $40,000 in prizes will be awarded to the winning teams. Awards will be made for overall proposals as well as those that excel in a specific categories including health, environment and emerging markets.

The First Prize in Environmental Sustainability will recieve a $10,000 McCall Foundation Award.

For more information click here.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Green Investment Opportunities in China

Investments by the Chinese government are creating a wealth of green sector opportunities. China's huge business and consumer base is creating demand for everything from renewable energy to green buildings.

A good illustration of the profit potential afforded by China's green market comes from Chan Han Meng, executive director of Nature Elements Capital. According to Chan, Green buildings offer a 30 - 50 percent price premium while additional construction costs are only five per cent.

China is investing $736-billion in sectors like wind and solar. Targeting the best entry points to invest in the Chinese green market involves paying close attention to the sectors that, with government support, can compete with traditional sources of power.

Chinese Government incentives in the wind power sector have reduced the cost to between 0.5 RMB and 0.7 RMB per kilo watt hour. Renewable sources of energy like wind power will skyrocket once the cost per kilo watt hour matches coal, currently about 0.4 RMB per kilo watt hour.

China's green energy economy hinges on making clean energy competitive with coal. The Chinese government is waiting for the Parliament to approve measures that will provide loans, grants and tax breaks that will help make renewable energy cost competitive with coal. To help with this goal, China may even impose tariffs on energy derived from coal.

Up to half a trillion US dollars in clean energy investment capital will be required to meet China's proposed green targets over the next five years. This affords opportunities for investors who want to earn significant returns while helping to green the earth.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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China's Most Recent Five Year Plan

China’s most recent five year plan (FYP) covers the period 2011-2015, and China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) is expected to approve the final version in March 2011. This FYP is expected to shift China’s development agenda towards sustainable growth.

The FYP will strengthen China's energy efficiency in key sectors such as heavy industry, construction, and transportation. China will also support the development of energy efficiency technologies. In addition, management on supply and demand sides will be improved including national utility demand-side management (DSM) .

China may further boost prices of fossil fuels, as well as levy carbon, environmental and resource taxes.

China plans to implement a domestic carbon-trading market to reduce carbon emissions and promote clean-energy industries. A cap-and-trade market in China may be in place by 2020 and could begin targeted applications as early as 2013.

China will support the development of clean energy technologies and boost its domestic clean-tech market. China may invest up to US$1.5 trillion over the next five years in seven strategic industries, such as alternative energy, alternative-fuel vehicles, and environmentally friendly technologies. Approximately US$300 billion will be invested in the construction of smart grid in China in the same time.

China is also planning on paying more attention on its coastal waters. China's marine ecological restoration is focusing on measuring the amount of organic pollutants found in surface water by monitoring chemical oxygen demand. They are also limitating emissions of nitrogen and phosphorus which causes eutrophication. New coastal construction will be strictly examined to ensure they are not adversely impacting the environment.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.


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China can School the US About Green Growth

America is often viewed as the preeminent world leader, but when it comes to growing the green economy, the US can learn a lot from China. Although China is often criticized as being the world's largest CO2 emitter, it has an average emissions per capita well below those of wealthy economies.

Both China and the US have set emissions goals for 2020. The US has proposed a 17% cut in emissions from 2005 levels while China has proposed a 40% to 45% reduction in carbon intensity (per person) from 2005 levels. The World Resources Institute has said those two efforts would have about the same outcome.

However there is a major difference, China's goal is official policy, America's goal, although announced by the White House, is not official policy, nor has any legislation been passed to attain that goal.

China is making real progress in developing renewable power. In 2008, China got 9% of its energy from renewable resources. It has committed to raise that number to 15% by 2020. But recent reports show that if the current expansion rate continues, solar power alone could reach five or ten times the 15% target.

In 2007, 7% of US energy came from renewable resources and with any hope of legislation crushed by Republican gains in the midterm elections, that number is not likely to significantly increase in the short term.

Three years ago, China met its 20 percent energy efficiency goal and in 2010 and they are creating more stringent goals for 2020. The US has set no firm targets.

When it comes to fuel economy, China is also leading the US. In 2010, America set new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards at 35.5 miles per gallon, while China achieved an average fuel economy of 36.7 miles per gallon back in 2008.

The Chinese solar, wind and EV industries are leading the world. On the stock market, some of the best gains are coming from Chinese cleantech companies which are present in almost every sector.

As reported in YaleGlobal Online, a comparison of Chinese and US firms indicate that America has lost its competitive edge. In 1998, the US owned 25 percent of worldwide high-tech exports while China’s was less than 10 percent. By 2008, China’s share was 20 percent, with America’s below 15 percent.

The most revealing statistics come from a Bloomberg survey, created in collaboration with the UN Environment Program. This study indicates that China became the largest recipient of renewable energy financing in 2009, attracting more than 20 percent of the US$162 billion invested worldwide in wind, solar, biomass, small hydro, biofuel and marine energy. While such investment in China grew by 53 percent, in the US it shrank by 45 percent.

A study published by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center found that, unlike the US, China coordinates and supports energy R&D through government owned enterprises.

By some estimates, investments in renewable-energy assets may total US$2.3 trillion by 2020. If America is to compete with China for the lucrative green market and all the jobs that come with it, the US will need to develop a much more coordinated approach.


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Government Incentives are Growing Renewable Energy

The evidence indicates that government investments have significantly helped the US renewable energy market. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 provided $94.8 billion for clean energy. The program was established under section 1603 of ARRA, and provided cash grants covering 10% or 30% of the total cost of developing new renewable energy facilities.

ARRA investments also funded research projects to develop next generation renewable energy technologies. These types of innovations create a cost competitive alternative to dirty sources of electricity while simultaneously creating long-term economic growth.

Due in large part to ARRA, the renewable energy industry survived the worst financial crisis in decades and is making significant progress toward attaining its goal of doubling renewable generation capacity over two years.

According to Gisela Kroess, a director at UniCredit SpA (UCG.MI), "[ARRA incentives have] spurred a lot of the growth we've seen," she said at a renewable-energy finance conference.

Despite Republican opposition, the US Department of the Treasury's 1603 cash grant program for the solar and wind industries was extended through 2011 as an add-on to the 2010 Tax Relief bill. The extension provides incentives so that developers of new solar and wind farms will continue investing in new projects beyond those already slated for construction.

ARRA Report Card: Two Years Later, is the latest industry study from market research publisher SBI Energy, it examines the ARRA clean energy investments and their impact on the various clean energy markets within the power, transportation, and building sectors.

Solar Energy

The report card indicates that according to forecasts from the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), ARRA investments will help the domestic manufacturing capacity for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to grow from less than 1 GW per year in 2008 to nearly 4 GW per year in 2012. Solar EnergyARRA investments are also accelerating the rate of innovation in solar photovoltaics and will drive down the costs of solar panels over the next five years by as much as 50 percent. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, ARRA has supported more than 1,100 solar projects in 42 states, creating enough new solar capacity to power 200,000 homes. ARRA has resulted in nearly 40 percent growth in the solar power market in 2009 and nearly double in 2010.

Wind Energy

Despite weak economic and investment conditions, US wind power capacity grew 40 percent in 2009 compared to 2008. In July 2010, the CEA reported that ARRA was responsible for approximately 6 GW of wind capacity installation that might not otherwise have occurred in 2009.

Geothermal Energy

An April 2010 U.S. Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) survey indicated a 26% increase in new projects under development in 2009 and concludes that the stimulus funding played an important role in propelling geothermal growth amidst recessionary economic conditions.

Combined Renewable Energy

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that US renewable generation capacity will increase 32 percent more than without ARRA, reaching 155 GW in 2015.

The results of this report card clearly indicate that government investment has significantly increased America's renewable generation capacity.


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Green Jobs for America

Green Jobs for America is a national campaign to educate the public about the need for (government) investments in green jobs. This national educational initiative is led by Blue Green Alliance, United Steelworkers, Sierra Club and NRDC and other partners.

The realization that green jobs have a vital role to play in America's employment picture is nothing new. A 2008 report indicated that green jobs fight global warming and help put an end to America's dependence on fossil fuels.

The green jobs report was created by the University of Massachusetts' Political Economy Research Institute, it is titled, Job Opportunities for the Green Economy: A State-by-State Picture of Occupations that Gain from Green Investments. Read the full report (pdf)

The report examined 12 states and the people employed in occupations affected by six green economic strategies: building retrofitting, mass transit, energy-efficient automobiles, wind power, solar power and cellulosic biofuels. It also looked at what the average wages are in each state for these jobs.

The report indicates that millions of US workers, across a wide range of occupations, states, and income and skill levels, will benefit from efforts to transform the United States into a green economy. Read the national report and press release.

The Green Jobs for America campaign is at work in twelve states: Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
It is clear to all but the willfully ignorant, that millions of US workers will all benefit from transforming the United States into a green economy.

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Video of White House Policy Briefing on Green

A January 18, 2011, White House Policy Briefing on the greening of America's cities. This video covers a wide range of government ideas and initiatives, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and retrofits.

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Hot Green Jobs for 2011 and Beyond

Here is a review of some of the sectors and careers that will benefit from green jobs investments. According to a UNEP report, this includes, renewable energy, construction, transportation, food, agriculture, commodities, and forestry.

President Obama made his commitment to green jobs clear in his State of the Union Address. The US Department of Labor is working with the community, labor and industry to support green job growth.

Here are some of the areas where green careers are most in demand for 2011 and beyond:

Sustainable business management, recycling, solar energy, wind energy, smart grid, energy efficiency, retrofitting, green building, sustainable farming, sustainable forestry, conservation biology, bio-mimicry, green chemistry, public transportation, waste management, urban planning and sustainable systems development.

Many of these positions require special training. A large number of colleges and technical institutes offer complete career training. See The Green Market's Searchable Environmental Education Resources for a wide range of sustainable and green education options in the US and around the world. One of the best degrees with the widest applicability is a Green MBA.

Preparing for a job in these high growth fields increases employment, grows the economy and contributes to a healthier planet.


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Government Investment Green Jobs and Economic Recovery

Green jobs can fuel economic recovery. This is the logic behind President Obama's pledge to invest $150 billion to create 5 million green jobs in the US over the next 10 years.

The convergence of automation and globalization have permanently eliminated millions of jobs. High rates of unemployment are a function of a changing global economy.The green economy can create jobs and fuel the ongoing recovery.

Research from the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has indicated that transitioning to a sustainable, low-carbon economy can create millions of green jobs. The US Department of Labor has projected significant growth in green jobs between 2008-2018.

If these predictions are to materialize, governments will have to invest. This means governments will have to set and meet ambitious goals that will help to accelerate the growth of the green economy. President Obama made clear his commitment in his 2011 State of the Union address when he announced his desire to see America pursue clean energy, electric vehicles and an end to oil subsidies.


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Green Government Investments and Job Creation

The jobs creation potential of the green economy is staggering. In the US, President Obama has pledged $150 billion over 10 tears to create five million green-collar jobs.

Green-collar jobs are well paying positions that benefit the environment while cutting pollution and reducing waste.

According to Shari Shapiro, associate with Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP, the numbers show that green stimulus investments are among the most cost-effective ways to spend the Recovery Act dollars and create jobs.

Green industries include everything from renewable energy to electronics manufacturing.
We are entering an era of unprecedented growth in the green market, and this growth will supply millions of jobs. The emergence of green industries will also have a ripple effect that will create countless employment opportunities. These include teaching positions required to train people for their new roles in the emerging green economy.

Governments around the world are seeing green investments as a way of putting people to work and preparing for the future. At present, America is being outspent by many of the world's major powers. However, the green investments that President Obama outlined in his 2011 State of the Union Address would drive job creation.

Government investment in green job creation is a winning strategy. As government investment helps green industries to grow they would benefit from economies of scale and this would bring down costs. Greater competition would also drive innovation.


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Portfolio 21's Top 10 Green Investments for 2011

Portfolio 21 invests exclusively in companies with an explicit commitment to the environment, this includes attributes like greener products, sustainable business practices, efficient production methods, and use of renewable energy. Portfolio 21 looked at 2000 companys and invested approximately $400 million in 99 businesses in 21 countries. On December 30, 2010, CSRwire, announced Portfolio 21's (PORTX) top 10 Green Companies for 2011.

"We believe the best long-term investment opportunities are found in companies using environmental frameworks to make business decisions. These companies have clearly demonstrated the qualities of innovation and leadership that create a distinct competitive advantage and should build long-term value for investors," said CEO and Chief Investment Officer Leslie Christian.

1. ABB provides power and automation technologies that enable a wide range of industries, including utilities, to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. ABB is also the world's largest supplier of the electrical heart of wind turbines. ABB's products are well positioned to respond to the global demand for reliable and efficient electricity delivery.

2. Cisco provides networking products and services for home and business communications. The company is positioned to respond to the global demand for data centers, cloud computing, and collaborative technologies that minimize travel and associated environmental impacts. In 2010, Cisco further improved its competitive position within the virtual communications sector through its acquisition of another Portfolio 21 holding, Tandberg.

3. Eaton provides electrical systems and components for power distribution that reduce energy use. Eaton's customers include renewable energy and hybrid vehicle companies. In 2010, Eaton joined the Department of Energy's Save Energy Now LEADER program, pledging to reduce the company's own energy use by 25%, indexed to sales, between 2006 and 2016.

4. Growthpoint is a real estate management company with a portfolio of commercial, retail, and industrial properties in South Africa and Australia. Recognizing that buildings consume 40%-50% of the world's energy, Growthpoint is leading the implementation of green building and energy saving practices in South Africa and is an active participant in development of the country's first commercial green building standards.

5. IBM's hardware and software business services assist customers in reducing energy consumption and costs. For example, this year IBM and Schneider Electric (another Portfolio 21 Top 10 pick) announced a new combined solution to manage energy efficiency in buildings. IBM has made impressive reductions of its own greenhouse gas emissions and is part of the Green Power Market Development Group and the Chicago Climate Exchange.

6. Johnson Matthey's core skills are in catalysis, precious metals, and fine chemicals. Catalysts are seen as a boon to green chemistry because they enable chemical reactions to be carried out under milder conditions, require less energy, and use fewer toxic chemicals and solvents. Chemical catalysts are also expected to help produce clean fuels, convert waste and green raw materials into energy, and improve emissions from combustion engines.

7. Novozymes is the world leader in biotechnology-based industrial enzymes and microorganisms. These enzyme products can reduce the use of energy, raw materials, and harsh chemicals, as well as reducing waste. In 2010, Novozymes launched a new enzyme product to produce fuel from agricultural waste, which is a competitive alternative to gasoline in both price and performance.

8. Ormat is a geothermal and recovered energy company. The company also has efforts in thermal solar and biomass. Ormat has installed approximately 1,300 MW of geothermal and Recovered Energy Generation power plants. Favorable regulatory environments and governmental initiatives to promote clean energy are creating potential for Ormat to grow in established and new markets.

9. Schneider Electric provides energy automation, monitoring, and control solutions for utilities, buildings, and other infrastructure uses. The company also makes energy saving devices and power supply equipment for solar and wind power systems. In 2010, Schneider continued its partnership with IBM to launch a new system for data center energy management.

10. Tennant Company is a leader in equipment for floor maintenance and outdoor cleaning, specializing in chemical-free products. Utilizing the Natural Step Framework, the company studies the life-cycle environmental impacts of its products. Tennant currently offers an eco-friendly portfolio of products, including Green Seal-certified cleaning agents, and its ec-H2O cleaning machine, which requires only water and no added chemicals.

A more detailed profile on each company is available at Portfolio 21.


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