Month: August 2023

by Paul Hilton, Trillium Asset Management 

Trillium’s Sustainable Opportunities thematic public equity strategy aims to address global sustainability challenges in three core areas: climate solutions, economic inclusion, and healthy living. While many of Trillium’s equity strategies have exposure to renewable energy, the Sustainable Opportunities strategy has a more specific, thematic focus, and generally a greater level of exposure to companies benefiting from the shift to a more sustainable economy.

Within climate solutions, a primary focus is renewable energy and energy conservation, particularly exposure to companies involved in: • Electrification and Grid Modernization, including storage • Energy Efficiency • Geothermal • Renewable Energy Financing • Solar Energy • Wind Energy

In our view, climate change is the top existential issue facing the planet. Long-term impacts from climate change are well documented by the IPCC, and include more extreme weather events including heatwaves, droughts, and floods. These impacts will lead to food and water insecurity as well as public health and biodiversity threats.

We believe climate change also represents an investment opportunity, given the level of investment required to meet global goals such as the 1.5 degree C global warming target of the Paris Agreement in 2015. For example, the International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that meeting global energy transformation goals will require an additional $47 trillion in cumulative investment from 2023-2050, plus roughly $1 trillion in annual investment in fossil fuel technologies redirected towards energy transition solutions. This would result in annual investments in energy transition technologies more than quadrupling from current levels to meet the 1.5 degree C pathway.

Read Paul’s full article here

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by Paul Hilton, Trillium Asset Management 

Trillium’s Sustainable Opportunities thematic public equity strategy aims to address global sustainability challenges in three core areas: climate solutions, economic inclusion, and healthy living. While many of Trillium’s equity strategies have exposure to renewable energy, the Sustainable Opportunities strategy has a more specific, thematic focus, and generally a greater level of exposure to companies benefiting from the shift to a more sustainable economy.

Within climate solutions, a primary focus is renewable energy and energy conservation, particularly exposure to companies involved in: • Electrification and Grid Modernization, including storage • Energy Efficiency • Geothermal • Renewable Energy Financing • Solar Energy • Wind Energy

In our view, climate change is the top existential issue facing the planet. Long-term impacts from climate change are well documented by the IPCC, and include more extreme weather events including heatwaves, droughts, and floods. These impacts will lead to food and water insecurity as well as public health and biodiversity threats.

We believe climate change also represents an investment opportunity, given the level of investment required to meet global goals such as the 1.5 degree C global warming target of the Paris Agreement in 2015. For example, the International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that meeting global energy transformation goals will require an additional $47 trillion in cumulative investment from 2023-2050, plus roughly $1 trillion in annual investment in fossil fuel technologies redirected towards energy transition solutions. This would result in annual investments in energy transition technologies more than quadrupling from current levels to meet the 1.5 degree C pathway.

Read Paul’s full article here

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Jeremy Lardeau, Vice President of the Higg Index at the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, joined the CEO Dialogue at a recent Net Zero Pakistan event to engage with industry leaders and share insight on how the industry can collectively work together to enable a net zero future for Pakistan’s textile sector.

Lardeau spoke on the “Positioning Pakistan as a Sustainable Textile Export Hub – Learning from Global Manufacturing Nations” panel with Laila Petrie, CEO of 2050.cloud, climate journalist Afia Salam, and Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, former State Bank Governor and Trustee of PET. The goal of the discussion was to provide insights on Pakistan’s decarbonization progress as compared to other manufacturing countries, share examples of large-scale global decarbonization interventions, and discuss the role of media in shaping the narrative around sustainability initiatives.

Lardeau highlighted the fact that, on a macro level, Pakistan faces significant challenges in transitioning to net zero as the economy and its GDP is heavily dependent on fossil fuels: Currently, 64% of electricity comes from fossil fuels, 27% from hydropower, and 9% from nuclear and renewable energy sources. He noted that it is one of the top 10 countries where it is critical to support collective action on decarbonization.

In 2021, the country committed to reduce GHG emissions by 30% by 2030 under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that are critical to the Paris Agreement. To achieve this goal, the Pakistan Government plans to increase its renewable energy in its electricity mix to 60% compared to the current level of 4% — a transition that will require significant investment in infrastructure and advanced technology.

Prior to attending the conference, Lardeau’s team analyzed data from the SAC’s Higg Facility Environment Module (FEM) and found that of the nearly 300 facilities in Pakistan that use the tool, 75% have been verified. The facilities are heavily reliant on fossil fuels — 58.3% of energy comes from burning natural gas and 22.7% comes from burning coal — and their total emissions are 4.15 megatons CO2e annually.

In response to a discussion of PET’s exploration of a biomass supply chain project that could help phase out coal, Lardeau referenced huge opportunities to scale renewables at Pakistan’s facilities, which currently have a .19% adoption rate. He also referenced the upcoming Higg FEM 4.0 release, which will better support collaborative efforts to drive change.

Jeremy Lardeau, Vice President of the Higg Index at the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, joined the CEO Dialogue at a recent Net Zero Pakistan event to engage with industry leaders and share insight on how the industry can collectively work together to enable a net zero future for Pakistan’s textile sector.

Lardeau spoke on the “Positioning Pakistan as a Sustainable Textile Export Hub – Learning from Global Manufacturing Nations” panel with Laila Petrie, CEO of 2050.cloud, climate journalist Afia Salam, and Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, former State Bank Governor and Trustee of PET. The goal of the discussion was to provide insights on Pakistan’s decarbonization progress as compared to other manufacturing countries, share examples of large-scale global decarbonization interventions, and discuss the role of media in shaping the narrative around sustainability initiatives.

Lardeau highlighted the fact that, on a macro level, Pakistan faces significant challenges in transitioning to net zero as the economy and its GDP is heavily dependent on fossil fuels: Currently, 64% of electricity comes from fossil fuels, 27% from hydropower, and 9% from nuclear and renewable energy sources. He noted that it is one of the top 10 countries where it is critical to support collective action on decarbonization.

In 2021, the country committed to reduce GHG emissions by 30% by 2030 under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that are critical to the Paris Agreement. To achieve this goal, the Pakistan Government plans to increase its renewable energy in its electricity mix to 60% compared to the current level of 4% — a transition that will require significant investment in infrastructure and advanced technology.

Prior to attending the conference, Lardeau’s team analyzed data from the SAC’s Higg Facility Environment Module (FEM) and found that of the nearly 300 facilities in Pakistan that use the tool, 75% have been verified. The facilities are heavily reliant on fossil fuels — 58.3% of energy comes from burning natural gas and 22.7% comes from burning coal — and their total emissions are 4.15 megatons CO2e annually.

In response to a discussion of PET’s exploration of a biomass supply chain project that could help phase out coal, Lardeau referenced huge opportunities to scale renewables at Pakistan’s facilities, which currently have a .19% adoption rate. He also referenced the upcoming Higg FEM 4.0 release, which will better support collaborative efforts to drive change.

CINCINNATI, August 28, 2023 /3BL/ – Currently, only 23 states require a personal finance course in high school, according to Next Gen Personal Finance. That means the responsibility of teaching recent high school graduates may be on parents’ shoulders. And, according to a consumer survey1 from Fifth Third Bank, only 1 in 10 surveyed believe students are well-prepared with financial education for the real world.

If you have a high schooler who is heading off to college, it’s time for some real talk about money. Be open and transparent about the cost of college and how that is being funded. It is important for students to understand how to stay on budget to limit the calls home for money. And consider what surveyed consumers wish they had been taught earlier: savings. Specifically, the importance of savings, starting to save sooner and how to build savings into their budgets.

Budget time

Regardless of whether a young adult is going to school or work, you can help them get on the right financial path by providing detailed information on budgeting and asking them for a plan. Having them create the plan with your guidance will instill a sense of ownership. Agree together on the budget and then monitor progress on it once a quarter or semi-annually. If there are missteps, talk about them and work together to identify a solution.

Tools like a college savings calculator can help your child understand how much college could cost and potential savings needed. Fifth Third also offers a student budget calculator and tips on why you need a budget.

Finding and knowing your banker

Before your child heads off to college, research banks with branches closest to their campus. Go with them to meet the bankers, open an account if they don’t already have one, and talk about their financial goals.

This also is a good time to discuss bank accounts if you haven’t already. Introduce information such as ATMs and related fees that might be associated with them, balancing their accounts, overdraft fees, budgeting and “smart” savings programs.

Establishing and managing credit

Establishing credit is an important rite of passage toward adulthood, and it’s something that can have a big impact on your children’s quality of life. Some ways to build credit would be for your child to co-sign on a car loan or opening a credit card.

A safety net would be to open a secured credit card with them. A secured card requires a cash deposit and items can only be charged up to the limit of the cash deposit. These cards are generally more accessible than a traditional card and they do work to establish credit. Be on guard against high fees, though, and remind your children to only charge what they can afford to pay off every month. Carrying a balance is not the lesson you want to teach.

Understanding smart apps and digital tools

Smart savings apps or functionality on traditional mobile banking apps are easy ways for young adults to set goals, save toward them, see progress and celebrate successes. It’s a user-friendly tool to help them budget for the things that matter to them.

Credit scores and monitoring

While you’re talking with your children about credit, help them understand what a credit score is: a three-digit number that represents credit history and helps lenders decide whether they’re willing to give them a loan for a car, house or another large purchase.

Credit monitoring and identity protection tools are extremely important to have in place. Most banks and credit cards now have services that monitor and alert customers to any suspicious behavior.

Parents want what’s best for their kids – at every age and stage – and a financially healthy future is part of that. Talking about money early and often, providing safe opportunities for students to learn and introducing them to resources that can help, are the steppingstones to good habits and smart choices. There’s never a better time to start than now.

1Survey conducted by Fifth Third Bank in July 2023 among 800 adult consumers residing in one of 11 states in the Midwest and Southeast.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Member FDIC.