Why ESG Reporting Has Reached a Tipping Point

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The Social Investment Research Analysts Network (SIRAN) and KLD Research & Analytics, Inc. announced the findings of their annual report on environmental and social performance reporting of US companies at the Ceres Conference 2007 today in Boston.

The study shows that nearly half (49) of US companies in the Standard & Poors (S&P) 100 Index are now disclosing information about their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. From an Israeli perspective the significance of this milestone demonstrates that it’s time for Israeli companies to start gearing up for a new wave of regulations and standards on the horizon.

Companies such as Bank Leumi and Israel Discount Bank Ltd. have taken the lead in reporting their ESG performance. This study confirms my conviction that Israel is amongst the leading countries in the Global CSR movement.

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Latest Investment Thesis To Combat Climate Change

Filed Under Cleantech, Global Warming | Tags: none | Leave a Comment

Recently the World Resources Institute came out with a study called “Scaling Up” summarizing the latest thoughts on how policy, investment and technology community should work together to combat climate change. Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan provided financial support and assistance. Happy reading!

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Water Is The Way To Go

Filed Under Cleantech, Israel | Tags: , | 1 Comment

With all the hype about Cleantech lately its not easy to separate hot air from real stuff. Neverthless the search for solving some of the world’s most pressing issues will ensure Cleantech is not simply a passing fad but rather a sustainable investment theme. As in any game it will be those people with the knoweldge, experience and skill set who will come out in front. Israel has missed the clean energy wave or will at least need to play catch up with its European, Chinese and North American competitors.

However the water sector is another story. Israel has had a 50 year head start on the rest of the world. The recent high level delegation of Israel’s leading water industry experts to Australia proved that Israel truly can add value and assist the global community in managing their water problems.  As always the winners will have to keep their eye on the ball, ensure business fundamentals are there and persevere. Good luck to us all!

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$2,225m of Capital Flowed into Clean Energy

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Recent figures released by New Energy Finance are quite remarkable. $2,225m of venture capital and private equity flowed into the clean energy industry worldwide in the three months of 2007. The press release is full of interesting facts on alternative energy deal flow. No mention of Israeli deals. Israel should be leading this sector as it has the most to gain (security, political and environmental). Israel should become the first country to achieve 100% energy independence.

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Maintaining Israel’s Competitive Advantage

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The topic of maintaining Israel’s competitive advantage is constantly “top of mind” for me. During the Pesach break I’ve had more time than usual to think about this topic. The common approach for people who comment on competitive advantage is to focus on Israel’s technological advantage and need for massive investment in technology based start ups in order to ensure that Israel maintains its edge. (See this presentation on The Benefits of VC on Israel’s Economy)

However I believe that as in any society, the foundations for innovation are not in well funded organizational structures. In fact as Israel has demonstrated, financial stability is by no means a key ingredient for innovation. Israel has succeeded despite lack of financial support. I humbly propose that its our unique social structure that has allowed us to produce tremendous technological innovations. Lev Leviev commented on this topic several months ago and pointed to the need to invest in Jewish education since Jewish education has been Israeli society’s key ingredient for thousands of years and has ensured the moral fiber, national vision and intellectual foundation for generations of Israelis to succeed regardless of the circumstances.

Policy makers of Israel should head the words of one of Israel’s finest business personalities. Leviev is deeply routed in Jewish tradition and education and understands the unique ingredients such an education provides our new generation. I am always amazed that so many of the successful business people I meet on a daily basis concur with these thoughts. So many successful Israeli business people refer to their Jewish upbringing subconsciously and regardless of their level of observance.

Money is everywhere! Technology is everywhere! Only in Israel are there all the ingredients for a full Jewish education. This is our competitive edge and we should view it as such.

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