Newsletter Sustainability Research
Note: The issues explored in this article are specifically relevant to sustainable investments on the stock market. Triodos Bank believes that our Socially Responsible Investment funds are a powerful means of promoting our values and working for greater sustainability, while enabling us to offer a complete range of attractive investment options to clients that choose to invest on the stock market.
Engagement for change
06-06-2013 | The Triodos SRI portfolios apply a long-term investment strategy and hold concentrated portfolios. This allows us to pursue a policy of active engagement and dialogue. How successful are our efforts? Read more
Transparency advances accountability
06-06-2013 | Wouldn't it be good to know exactly what your bank does with your money? Transparency has been a core value of Triodos Bank ever since its inception in 1980. Read more
The grass is not greener
06-06-2013 | Many companies in the Triodos investment portfolios are also found in the SRI portfolios of other providers. How are the Triodos investment portfolios still different? Read more
Does sustainable investment really work?
06-06-2013 | Triodos Bank’s SRI products offer the opportunity to invest in stock-listed companies that outperform on sustainability. Is that true? Read more
Progress in the telecoms industry
14-02-2013 | There have been some interesting progressive shifts in the integrated telecommunication industry. A review of 15 companies against Triodos minimum standards showed some interesting developments. Read more
No room for complacency
14-02-2013 | Results of assessing companies in the human resource & employment industry showed a significant shift, particularly compared to three years ago. Find out why. Read more
Mining companies do not cut the grade
14-02-2013 | Raw materials are the basis of all products and there is an enormous demand for them. For mining companies, selection based on best-in-class performance is often overruled by a violation of minimum standards. Find out how Triodos takes a tailored approach to analysing this industry for potential investment. Read more
What makes a sustainable car manufacturer?
14-02-2013 | Triodos Research recently reviewed 18 major stock-listed automobile manufacturers. In this sector we use the best-in-class approach to select companies for the investment universe. Read more about what we found and why we chose the companies that finally made it to the investment universe. Read more
Mobility and transport
30-10-2012 | What issues does Triodos Bank consider when looking for leaders in the mobility sector? Who are these leaders? Read more
Bio-based economy
30-10-2012 | In this article we look at a few industries that are advancing with the use of bio-based substances in their production process. Read more
Unconventional oil and gas extraction
30-10-2012 | Due to higher oil prices and an increasing demand for energy, oil and gas companies are scrambling to find new reserves. This development comes at a cost of more environmental damage and higher carbon intensity of fuels produced. Recently Triodos Bank removed Repsol and BG group from the sustainable investment universe for that reason. Read more
Waste not, want not
30-10-2012 | A circular economy changes our concepts of ownership and puts the focus of products and services on performance. Triodos Bank believes this innovative thinking will optimize the use of materials and minimize waste. Read more
Majority revenues for three themes
30-07-2012 | Triodos Bank can use thresholds in a positive way, for example as a means to determine potential selection of a company. This is the case for those companies with specific sustainable products and services. These can be selected for investment, particularly for the Triodos Sustainable Pioneer Fund. Read more
Five per cent threshold for some
30-07-2012 | There are certain products and services that can hinder the achievement of a sustainable future, some to a greater degree than others. For some we have a zero tolerance, for others we accept a very minor involvement. Introducing: the five per cent threshold for acceptance. Read more
One hundred million euro – you’re out!
30-07-2012 | Financial institutions and holding companies can be indirectly involved in the production of controversial products due to the finance they provide. For this reason, we have set a threshold limit of EUR 100 million for financiers of products for which we have zero tolerance. Find out how it works in practice. Read more
Zero-tolerance for four activities
30-07-2012 | Triodos Bank is explicit about the industries it invests in. But did you also know that it’s as equally explicit about the industries it will not invest in? Find out for which activities we have zero tolerance. Read more
Sustainable palm oil
29-03-2012 | Palm oil is used in many consumer products, from cosmetics, and washing powder, to icecream, and crackers. But the development of new oilpalm plantations is destroying areas rich in biodiversity. The Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil’s global standards aim to address the issues. Read more
Conflict-free Coltan
29-03-2012 | Various consumer products such as mobile phones, DVD players and computers include a component made from columbite-tantalite, commonly known as Coltan. But sourcing of the mineral can often be a contributor to human rights atrocities and cause detrimental environmental impacts. Read more
Kimberly-Clark and FSC tissues
29-03-2012 | Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands such as Huggies, Kotex and Kleenex are a part of life for people in more than 150 countries. However these consumer paper products contain natural fibres derived from wood pulp with potentially large environmental impacts. Read more
Pressure on controversial arms producers can create change
12-12-2011 | Can investors change the behaviour of controversial arms companies through the instrument of exclusion? Yes! The broad exclusion of arms-makers, and especially the production of controversial arms, has caused changes in that sector. Read more
Is the health care industry healthy?
12-12-2011 | Triodos Bank recently removed Johnson & Johnson and Quest Diagnostics from its Sustainable Investment Universe. There were too many breaches of legislation that when added up was reason enough to exclude these companies from further investments. Read more
Controversies where you least expect them
12-12-2011 | Triodos Sustainability Research excludes many companies from potential investment because they don’t meet our minimum standards. There are often predictable outcomes, but sometimes even we are surprised. Read more
H&M and controversies: it’s all about the company‘s responses?
12-12-2011 | Swedish clothing giant Hennes & Mauritz makes and sells affordable fashion produced in low-wage countries. The company often faces criticism on labour standards and on its impact on the environment. So why then does Triodos invest in H&M? Read more
Eco-efficient chemicals – myth or reality?
13-09-2011 | Can chemical companies really be sustainable? Triodos Bank thinks they can. Some stand out for their commitment to make things cleaner, better and with less impact on the environment and human health. AkzoNobel has recently been added to the Triodos Sustainable Investment Universe. Read more
Mission Zero: Mission Possible?
13-09-2011 | How far can a company go? Interface Flooring wants to go the furthest. Mission Zero is the promise of interior flooring manufacturer Interface to completely eliminate its negative environmental impacts by 2020. Is it on track? Read more
Excellence in solar energy
13-09-2011 | Solar energy is a reliable and environmentally friendly energy source. Solar panel production is an exciting industry full of innovative technology. First Solar recently achieved a new world record and is leading the way. Read more
Cradle to cradle in the office
13-09-2011 | Steelcase was the first company to receive cradle to cradle (C2C) certification for an office furniture product. Why is this important? Read more
Investing in a cleaner energy society
06-06-2011 | Climate change and the world’s energy crisis must remain at the centre of public debate. A clean and low-carbon energy society is critical to combatting both issues. This means coal-fired power and mining of tar sands are not the way to go. Read more
E-waste: a growing concern
06-06-2011 | Electronic and electrical equipment waste (e-waste) is the world’s fastest growing type of waste stream. It includes rare earths and metals and hazardous substances that can cause health and environmental risks when their discard is not managed and monitored appropriately. Read more
Triodos and the nuclear debate
06-06-2011 | Nuclear power is often presented as a solution to climate change and as a way to relieve the increasing dependence on oil and gas delivery. Following the disaster in Japan, nuclear power safety is back on the agenda. Read more
The double-edged sword of telecommunications
06-06-2011 | Communication technologies provide an opportunity for improved education and democracy. However it can also be used to censor, monitor and trace individual users. In the hands of repressive governments this technology can be used to facilitate human rights abuses. Triodos Bank therefore carefully monitors the behaviour of communication companies on their involvement in such human rights abuses. Read more
Publishing, paper and deforestation
08-03-2011 | More and more publishing companies – such as Reed Elsevier – are purchasing paper from sustainable sources. Wolters Kluwer, formerly a sustainability frontrunner, has fallen behind in terms of paper sourcing. Engagement efforts have proven unsuccessful and the company has been removed from the Triodos sustainable investment universe. Read more
Making our voice heard
08-03-2011 | By voting at and attending Annual General Meetings (AGMs), we challenge the companies we invest in to constantly improve their sustainability performance. Proxy voting is a clear and efficient way to make our voice heard. In 2010, we voted on ballots for 100 company meetings. Read more
Southern Europe provides a pleasant surprise
08-03-2011 | Triodos Research recently selected five Southern European banks for inclusion in its sustainable investment universe. It is rare that so many financial institutions in a study demonstrate the transparency and good practice required to meet Triodos requirements regarding arms. Read more
Dexia excluded for involvement in Israel
08-03-2011 | Belgian bank Dexia has been excluded from the Triodos sustainable investment universe because of its ongoing financing of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Read more
Danisco dialogue
14-12-2010 | Triodos Sustainability Research and Danisco discuss animal trials in the feed industry and Triodos Bank requirements for animal testing. Danisco of Denmark is one of the world’s largest food and feed ingredients companies. The company considers itself to be a sustainability leader, helping to transform the food industry. In line with its transparent and open company culture, the company invited Triodos Sustainability Research to a teleconference to explain its position on animal testing and to better understand our requirements. Read more
Sustainable Food Pioneers
14-12-2010 | From organic coffee and fruit juice to teething biscuits and burritos, Triodos Sustainability Research has discovered a number of smaller, specialised sustainability leaders in the food and restaurant industry. Food is part of our daily life and crucial to our health. However, the last century has seen a number of controversial developments in the food industry, such as genetic engineering, poor animal welfare standards and the extensive use of antibiotics. We are very pleased to find food companies that take a different route and share Triodos Bank’s values regarding food and agriculture, such as Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Hain Celestial and Wessanen. Read more
Animal welfare in factory farming
14-12-2010 | How can large cap food companies ensure animal welfare in their supply chains? Triodos Bank believes that companies should do much more in this respect. Since its earliest days, Triodos Bank has financed the entire organic food chain, from producers and processors to retailers and restaurants. Triodos believes that organic agriculture, including the meat and dairy industry, is the only systematic approach to agriculture that is sustainable in all respects. Factory farming, the raising of livestock in confinement and at high density, is a system whereby a farm operates as a factory and is at the opposite end of the farming spectrum. Factory farming’s main products are meat, dairy products and eggs. Read more
Sustainability concerns in the food chain
14-12-2010 | Triodos Sustainability Research faces the considerable challenge of finding large cap, multinational food companies that meet our investment criteria. Triodos Sustainability Research is currently looking at large, multinational companies in the food products industry. Like all companies we research, these companies are judged on their efforts to improve environmental performance, uphold social standards and follow ethical considerations. Although research is still ongoing, we face a big dilemma because none of the companies seem to meet all of our investment criteria. Food is an important basic need, but the food and agriculture industry is also closely linked to a wide range of sustainability issues. In order to become eligible for investment by Triodos Bank, food companies are required to meet a number of social, environmental and ethical requirements. Read more
Pharmaceutical giant removed from investment universe
23-09-2010 | Recent controversies show that Roche’s clinical trials with transplanted organs in China do not meet Triodos criteria for selection. Earlier this year, a controversy regarding Roche’s practices in China surfaced, presenting us with a dilemma. Did we have to deselect the company that only made it into our investment universe last year? Read more
Goal for Nike
23-09-2010 | Nike has been the target of NGO and media criticism for years. Perhaps thanks to this pressure, Nike now scores well enough to be included in the Triodos investment universe. Nike has some 30,000 employees of its own and has contracts with manufacturers that employ more than 800,000 workers. For many years, the company has been a favourite target for activists because of its questionable labour rights performance. Issues range across a broad spectrum such as wages, forced labour, severances, and child labour. Read more
What does doing business have to do with human rights?
23-09-2010 | This is what Triodos Bank thinks a company should be responsible for. Triodos Bank is a sustainable bank and is committed to investing in a socially, environmentally and financially responsible way. This means that we only invest in businesses that give all of these aspects some serious thought. Respecting human rights is a challenging criterion. If a company doesn’t meet our minimum standard on human rights, we will not select it for investment by Triodos SRI funds or Triodos Bank private banking. Read more
Connecting with Nokia
23-09-2010 | One example of our monitoring activities is our engagement with Nokia regarding human rights. In 2008, a subsidiary of Nokia sold mobile phone network technology to the Iranian government. Triodos Sustainability Research actively monitors companies that are selected for the Triodos sustainable investment universe. When there is a potential violation of Triodos minimum standards, we investigate in depth and often enter into dialogue with the company in question. This can, and sometimes does, result in companies being excluded from our universe. In the case of Nokia, the outcome of our engagement was in favour of the company. Read more
Investing in country bonds
23-06-2010 | Investing in country bonds has not traditionally been part of the Triodos Bank vision for our sustainable investment portfolios. Within the boundaries of a risk-return profile in line with the market, we aim for engagement with the companies that we invest in. Read more
Investing for a cleaner planet
23-06-2010 | For the Triodos Sustainable Investment funds and Private Banking we select companies under three ‘themes’ of sustainable products and services: ‘climate protection’, ‘clean planet’ and ‘healthy people’. A fourth category is ‘pioneers’ in corporate social responsibility (csr), companies that have outstanding sustainability performance in their sectors. Read more
Our vision on animal testing, arms and human rights
23-06-2010 | In communicating what we do, we want to be as clear as possible regarding our choice of investments for Triodos investment funds and Triodos Bank Private Banking clients. To this end, we publish position papers on controversial sustainability topics. By being transparent we can assure our investors that their money is used exclusively to support socially and environmentally responsible businesses that serve as an example for others. Read more
AGM season: the moment for active share ownership
23-06-2010 | Being an active shareholder involves proxy voting and attending annual general meetings (AGMs) to raise questions and encourage continuous improvement in sustainability performance. Since this form of engagement has proven successful, Triodos has expanded its AGM activities on behalf of Triodos Sustainable Investment funds and Private Banking, adding UK AGMs in 2009 and German AGMs this year. Read more
Sustainable forestry and the reduction of ‘forest footprint’
01-06-2010 | With 4 billion hectares worldwide, forests cover some 30 percent of the world’s land area. Forests are crucial to maintaining biodiversity and keeping climate change under control. However, to satisfy the needs of modern society, deforestation continues at the alarming rate of about 13 million hectares per year, which is 0,3% of total forest area. Read more