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SAM Foresight 03/2010
Clean water pays off
The SAM Water Strategy invests in both cyclical and defensive companies along the entire water value chain. British water utilities belong to the latter category. Find out more about these companies‘ untapped potential in our SAM Foresight.
SAM Foresight 02/2010
The quest for energy is a thirsty business too
The world’s available water reserves are limited, but water consumption is constantly rising. In the latest SAM Foresight, find out what role the energy sector plays in water demand and why water efficiency is an attractive source of return for investors.
SAM Flash 02/2010
Human capital development is fundamental for companies and investors
"A company’s most valuable resource is its staff." Managers often speak these words, but fail to follow them up with actions. In our latest SAM Flash we explain why the systematic development of human capital is vitally important for long-term enterprise value.
SAM Foresight 01/2010
Sunny Outlook for Solar Power
The prospects for newly installed solar energy capacity in 2010 are good. Here you can read about the role the German market will play, and why there are strong investment opportunities among the Asian solar energy suppliers in particular.
SAM Flash 01/2010
Climate Change as an investment opportunity
In the latest SAM Flash, Michael Riley, SAM’s climate expert, explains why many attractive investment opportunities are still open to investors even following the disappointing outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
SAM Foresight 12/2009
American trucks switch to alternative fuels
In an effort to reduce its dependence on foreign oil, cut urban emissions and reduce greenhouse gases, the US has introduced strong incentives to encourage the purchase and use of natural gas vehicles (NGV). At present NGVs only consume 3% of the energy used for road transportation in the US, which leaves ample room for growth.
SAM Foresight 11/2009
From Wastewater to Pristine Water: Closing the Loop
Recycled wastewater is becoming a major alternative source of water. In Singapore for example, wastewater is collected centrally, recycled by means of advanced water treatment technologies and is then pure enough to be drunk right out of the tap. The water reuse market is experiencing annual growth rates approaching 20% and is one of the most exciting developments in the water industry. Associated companies represent promising investment opportunities for investors.
SAM Foresight - 10/2009
Exploiting climate change
Climate change is progressing at a relentless pace. Solutions to addressing and adapting to climate change are therefore becoming increasingly important. In our current edition of Foresight you can find out what investment opportunities also present themselves.
SAM Foresight - 09/2009
LEDs are conquering the streets
Light-emitting diodes or LEDs are the most efficient light source there is. LEDs are becoming increasingly important, especially in the lighting technology market. China plays a key role in this sector.
SAM Foresight - 08/2009
Wind farm operators look attractive
The wind industry has come a long way since the late 1970s. With an
average annual growth rate of more than 30% in the past four years, wind
power has become a very successful alternative technology, accounting
for approximately 1% of the global production. Nevertheless, it is of
paramount importance to consider the dynamics of its value chain when
investing in the wind energy sector.
SAM Foresight - 07/2009
SAM Study: Alpha from Sustainability
SAM released a White Paper answering the questions whether
financial performance can be enhanced by investing in
sustainable companies. The results of this new research into
the correlation between corporate sustainability and financial
performance show that sustainability leaders deliver an
outperformance of 1.48% on average.
SAM Foresight - 06/2009
Secure Supply Chains Safeguard Public Health
SAM has analyzed the active management of supply chains as
part of its corporate sustainability assessment for some
years now. Only through active management of the entire
supply chain can companies ensure the required hygiene
standards for consumers. Not only are minimum standards
required for suppliers, but also regular monitoring and a
system of penalties for non-compliance. Companies that
actively manage their supply chains enjoy a competitive
advantage and are more popular with investors.
SAM Foresight - 05/2009
Managers' Variable Pay Under Pressure
The current financial crisis continues to fuel the debate on managers’ pay, particularly in the financial sector. In March of this year, the European Commission adopted new principles on a management pay structure that looks to the long term. Even before the new recommendations were published, SAM had amended its assessment criteria in the area of renumeration for this year’s Corporate Sustainability Analysis.
SAM Foresight - 04/2009
Micro Irrigation Conquers India
Water is an extremely precious and scarce commodity. It is therefore all the more astonishing how inefficient the irrigation technologies used in agriculture actually are. With advanced micro or drip irrigation systems, about half of the water could be saved and the quantity of chemicals used could be reduced. In addition, increases in yield of up to 150% can be achieved.
SAM Insights - 04/2009
Mine your waste
Waste is a precious source of raw materials and of reliable renewable energy. Forward-looking waste management strategies take account of the impact on climate change, the convergence of the waste and energy industries and the move towards higher levels of recycling. The waste management industry offers attractive long-term investment opportunities.
SAM Study Summary
Banking & Climate Change: Opportunities and Risks
How do banks manage the challenges of climate change and exploit the
related opportunities? This is the key question posed in a study based on
data gathered from 114 listed banks surveyed by SAM in 2007 within the
framework of its annual Corporate Sustainability Assessment. The study is
the result of the close collaboration between the Swiss Federal Institute
of Technology (ETH), ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences and the
financial contribution of the Swiss Innovation Promotion Agency and WWF UK.
An impressive outcome beforehand: Only around 5% of banks have implemented
a comprehensive climate strategy and are therefore ideally placed.
Banking & Climate Change: Opportunities and Risks (Full version)
SAM Foresight - 03/2009
Climate Change Mitigation through Efficient Cement Production
The cement industry often gets a bad rap during emissions and climate
change discussions because cement production is a major source of CO2
emissions. However, the cement industry has been working hard to do its
part for climate change mitigation. The amount of CO2 needed to produce a
ton of cement has dropped significantly, and many companies have aggressive
targets for further reductions in the years to come. How do they do it?
SAM Flash - 03/2009
Sustainability Investments: An Opportunity in Times of Crisis
The current financial market crisis is of historic proportions. While no
one can anticipate exactly when stock markets will recover, investors can
prepare for an eventual market upturn by assessing their investment
strategies' ability to meet future challenges. In SAM's view, the
integration of economic criteria such as good corporate governance
practices and environmental and social factors into traditional financial
analysis is one effective approach to positioning investment portfolios in
order to profit from a future economic recovery.
SAM Foresight - 02/2009
Does Fighting Climate Change Mean Sacrificing Economic Prosperity?
There is an ongoing debate about whether or not efforts to reduce green house gas emissions will detrimentally affect economic prosperity. Countries worried about negative impacts from future emission reduction plans can look to the past for comfort.
SAM Flash - 02/2009
Sustainability Trends 2009
In January, more than 100 international leaders from the world of asset management, commerce and non-governmental have attended the SAM Forum 2009. This annual event focuses on sustainability trends for investors. The key sustainability trends in the current year are reported in the latest SAM Flash.
SAM Flash - 01/2009
The Natural Gas Dispute - A Call for Europe
Gazprom, Russia's gas export monopoly, halted all natural gas flows to
Ukraine on 7 January this year effectively cutting natural gas supplies to 18
European countries during the coldest time of the year. In SAM's opinion
these developments represent a wake-up call for Europe to diversify its
energy sources and seek alternative forms of natural gas delivery.
SAM Foresight - 01/2009
Sustainability Trend in the Pulp and Paper Industry
The manufacture of pulp and paper is very energy intensive. Investments are
now under way to improve energy efficiency. The results are certainly
impressive: the most efficient pulp and paper manufacturers, such as the
company Veracel, now produce more energy than they actually require for
manufacturing their products.
SAM Insights - 07/2008
Sustainability as an Olympic discipline - will the Chinese sporting goods companies make it to the top?
The new SAM Insights analyze in conjunction with 2008 summer Olympics in
Beijing the growth potential of the sporting goods industry. Attractive
opportunities are to be found especially in the Chinese market and local
Chinese sports brands, but there are also considerable risks due to the still
pronounced need to catch up in the area of sustainability. The analysis of
the sustainability scores, share price volatility and growth rates of the 14
sporting goods manufacturers represented at the Olympics enables investors to
assess the leading market participants and their growth prospects.
SAM Insights - 06/2008
China's Growth Threatens to Dry Up
For years, China has been a beacon with its high rates of growth. But the
economic boom is having a worsening impact on the environment. Pollution and
overexploitation of water reserves are endangering not only the health of the
population but also China's continued development. Companies which provide
services and technologies geared towards the sustainable use of water are
finding a very attractive market in China.
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