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  2. Articles posted by: Rona Fried (Page 2021)

39% of S&P 100 Issue Annual Environmental Reports

A growing number of the largest publicly traded U.S. companies are reporting annually on their environmental and social performance just as they do on their financial performance, according to a new study by the Social Investment Research Analysts Network (SIRAN). Among the key findings of a SIRAN analysis of the reporting practices companies in the S&P 100 Index: * More than half of the S&P 100 Index (58 companies) have special sections of their websites dedicated to sharing information about their social and environmental policies and performance. * Almost 40 percent of the S&P 100 Index (39 companies) now issue annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports. * Nearly a quarter of the S&P 100 Index (24 companies) say they base their CSR reports on the widely recognized external standard provided by the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. Twenty of the companies included an index to GRI indicators in their reports. Six of the companies met the highest standard of reporting fully “in accordance” with the GRI guidelines. Of those companies issuing annual CSR reports, 62% say their reports are based on the GRI standards, and just over half (51%) include an index to GRI indicators. For the full […]

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Domini, Christian Bros. Issue Guidelines to Locate Big Box Stores

In the wake of dozens of often bitter community-level controversies across the U.S. and Mexico focused on the sites selected for “mega stores,” Christian Brothers Investment Services, Inc. (CBIS) and Domini Social Investments (Domini) have issued a set of nine guidelines for major retailers to use in making decisions about store site locations, land procurement and leasing. In addition to CBIS and Domini, 20 institutional investors and mutual fund families representing $33 billion in assets under management support the guidelines. The guidelines urge major retailers to embrace environmental stewardship; public disclosure of siting policies; advance consultation with affected communities; respect for Indigenous cultures; protection of cultural heritage; and adherence to “smart growth” practices. While companies are encouraged to adapt the guidelines to suit their unique business models, the report strongly recommends that all retailers should have a clearly formulated, well-monitored and effective policy for assessing and mitigating social and environmental risks associated with store siting. The report also contains dozens of examples of past controversies, some positive cases, and many suggestions and resources that companies may use to minimize future conflicts. Julie Tanner, Corporate Advocacy Coordinator for CBIS, said, “Store siting is such a central component of a retailer’s business […]

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UQM Technologies Named to Russell Microcap(TM) Index

UQM Techologies, (Amex: UQM), a developer of alternative energy technologies, has been named to the Russell Microcap(TM) Index. The Russell Microcap(TM) Index measures performance of the microcap segment and includes the smallest 1,000 companies in the small-cap Russell 2000(TM) Index plus the next 1,000 smaller companies. Russell indices are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and as benchmarks for both passive and active investment strategies. Investment managers who oversee these funds purchase shares of member stocks according to the company’s weighting in the particular index. “We are pleased to have been added to the Russell Microcap(TM) Index which we believe will raise the visibility of our company in the investor community”, said William G. Rankin, President and Chief Executive Officer of UQM Technologies, Inc. UQM Technologies, Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of power dense, high efficiency electric motors, generators and power electronic controllers for the automotive, aerospace, medical, military and industrial markets. A major emphasis of the Company is developing products for the alternative energy technologies sector including propulsion systems for electric, hybrid electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, 42-volt under-the-hood power accessories and other vehicle auxiliaries and distributed power generation applications. Website: [sorry […]

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Carmanah Announces Record Q2 Results

Carmanah Technologies Corporation (TSX Venture: CMH) announced its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004. Highlights for the Quarter: – Record Q2 2005 revenues of $6,542,507, representing an 87% increase over Q2 2004; – 2005 year-to-date revenues at record $11,392,049, representing a 50% increase over the same six-month period in 2004; – Sales order backlog of $1.64 million at close of quarter; – Net income for the quarter of $387,217 (6% of sales) as compared to a net loss of $156,189 in 2004; – Year-to-date net earnings of $650,639 (6% of sales) as compared to $213,303 (3% of sales) in 2004. Says Carmanah’s CEO, Art Aylesworth, “All vertical markets are contributing significantly to the Company’s revenues. In particular, we are seeing a breakout year in the sales of our transit shelter and bus stop lighting products with more than $1.8 million in sales in Q2 2005 alone.” These results do not include revenues from the Company’s acquisition of Soltek Powersource Ltd. which closed effective July 1, 2005. This will be reflected in the Company’s third quarter results. The full version of the financial statements is available at: Website: [sorry this link is no […]

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World's Largest Solar Photovoltaic Park Opens in Germany

The world’s largest solar park officially opened in the central Bavarian town of Mhlhausen on Thursday. The project has a 10MW of power capacity (57,600 PV panels) and consists of three solar parks in Muehlhausen, Guenching, and Minihof in Bavaria. The plant will not be the record holder for very long though because by the end of 2005, a solar park in northern Bavaria is expected to produce more than 12 million kilowatt hours per year. California-based PowerLight Corporation supplied the system: its PV tracking system follows the sun as it moves across the sky, enabling more electricity to be generated than from conventional fixed systems. The modules are from Sharp Electronics and the inverters and other construction equipment are from Siemens AG. Solar Energy Fund Bavaria financed the project – investors can still obtain shares in their closed fund. Under the German Renewable Energy Law (EEG), the fund benefits from a legally fixed payment for the produced power.

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