Tag: Environment

Your Quarterly Market Update with Johann Klaassen (Ep. 98)

Your Quarterly Market Update with Johann Klaassen (Ep. 98)

What’s new in the market? 

How’s the investment arena doing so far? What if we all started investing like we truly cared?

In this episode, Kimberly Griego-Kiel and Johann Klaassen navigate the current markets while providing a snapshot of the economy and all things inflation and investing. They debunk common misconceptions surrounding gold as an investment and shed light on the increasingly popular concept of ‘green gold’ and its actual environmental impact. 

Kim and Johann leave no stone unturned! Listen in as they guide us through the uncharacteristic behaviors of bonds and the implications of investing in precious metals.

Throughout the episode, Kim and Johann discuss:

  • Advice for those concerned about their portfolio or the markets
  • The intriguing phenomenon of uncharacteristic bond behavior and its potential impact
  • The reality behind the allure of gold as an investment and those who stand to gain
  • What you need to know about ‘green gold’ and its environmental consequences
  • The hidden environmental and social costs of investing in precious metals
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel and Johann Klaassen:

About Our Guest:

Johann A. Klaassen, Ph.D., is the CEO and Chief Investment Officer for Horizons Sustainable Financial Services, where he develops asset allocation strategies and oversees investment policy for Horizons’ individual and institutional clients. As a passionate advocate for SRI, a skilled navigator of its intricacies, and an enthusiastic early adopter of just about every new communication tool and technology, Johann is informed, informative, and far more accessible than his many commitments might imply. He directly serves clients across the nation, tending to specialize in serving unusual and special circumstances or needs.

Critical Climate and Diversity Stakeholder Resolutions for 2023 with Andy Behar (Ep. 85)

Critical Climate and Diversity Stakeholder Resolutions for 2023 with Andy Behar (Ep. 85)

How much do you know about corporate responsibility and sustainability?

This week, Andy Behar, the CEO of As You Sow, joins Kim Griego-Kiel to talk about the nonprofit organization’s role in shaking up the business world with its innovative environmental and social justice approach. 

Listen in as Andy details the ins and outs of creating a more sustainable and equitable future for this and the years to come.

Andy discusses:

  • As You Sow’s vision and mission  
  • The importance of climate action in the corporate resolution filings for 2023 
  • The value of more companies incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • As You Sow’s role in helping companies minimize the dangers of pesticides in our food system
  • What you should know about company transparency and accountability 
  • Ways As You Sow is working to reduce plastic demand 
  • What you should know about stranded assets
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Andy Behar:

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel:

About Our Guest:

Andy Behar is CEO of As You Sow, the nation’s leading non-profit practitioner of shareholder advocacy and engagement. With a 30-year track record of success, the organization advances values-aligned investing and uses shareholder power to compel companies to reduce material risk on issues including climate change; toxins in the food system; ocean plastics; diversity, equity, and inclusion; racial justice; and wage equity.

Change Not Charity: Charitable Giving For Climate Change with Jack Chellman (Ep. 80)

Change Not Charity: Charitable Giving For Climate Change with Jack Chellman (Ep. 80)

The traditional process for giving money to charity can leave people feeling skeptical, but when it comes to donating to charities for climate change, applying a “fund management” approach can be the solution that makes a difference. 

In this episode, Jack Chellman, the head of strategy and communications at the Global Returns Project, joins Kimberly Griego-Kiel to talk about the company’s Global Returns Portfolio. Jack explains how this portfolio works as a diverse, effective, and scalable not-for-profit tool designed to regenerate the planet and protect the environment. 

Jack discusses:

  • Types of charitable giving 
  • Ways the Global Returns Project works to support climate change with not-for-profit organizations to curate investments (not for financial return)
  • The 3 UN Sustainable Development Goals this organization targets
  • Ways individual investors can get involved and the role of taxes when it comes to charitable giving 
  • The difference between donating stocks and cash 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Jack Chellman:

To contribute, please click here:

  • Organization Name: The Global Returns Project Limited
  • Charity Number: 1186683

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel:

About Our Guest:

With a background in journalism and social advocacy, Jack Chellman transitioned to environmental work out of concern for issues of intersectional climate justice. A Marshall Scholar, Jack holds an MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History from the University of Cambridge. He also earned an MSc with distinction in Media, Power, and Public Affairs from Royal Holloway, University of London.

Must-Know Takeaways from the UN’s 2022 Climate Change Report (Ep. 65)

Must-Know Takeaways from the UN’s 2022 Climate Change Report (Ep. 65)

While we may not see the effects of climate change in our everyday lives, its impact on our environment is increasing across the globe.

In this episode, Kim Griego-Kiel sheds light on vulnerability and adaptation as two key points of the UN’s 2022 Climate Change Report. This report assesses the impacts of climate change, looking at ecosystems, biodiversity, and human communities at global and regional levels. It also reviews vulnerabilities and the capacities and limits of the natural world and human societies to adapt to climate change.

Kim discusses:

  • The vulnerability of our ecosystems, infrastructure, and energy systems 
  •  Impacting climate crisis through adaptation 
  • The critical need to implement global sustainability practices for the global wellbeing
  • How you can use the UN’s report to start to take action with your investing 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel:

 

Environmental Difference Makers in the Markets with Vicki Benjamin (Ep. 62)

Environmental Difference Makers in the Markets with Vicki Benjamin (Ep. 62)

It’s no secret that we rely on nature to survive.

Hence, putting in measures to save our environment and allow the cycle to continue is extremely important for not only our own future, but also for the future of the generations to come.

In this episode, Kimberly Griego-Kiel sits down with Vicki Benjamin, co-founder and CEO of Karner Blue Capital. Vicki explains what her company does for nature and the environment and how they are utilizing data collection and their own ESG process to combat nature and biodiversity loss around the world.

Vicki discusses:

  • The impact of the palm oil industry on nature, the environment, and the markets
  • The five drivers of nature and the impact of biodiversity loss 
  • How Karner Blue is utilizing in-depth data collection practices to redefine ESG investing
  • A new ecosystem service that will value land based on its positive effects in the public markets   
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Vicki Benjamin:

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel:

About Our Guest:

Vicki Benjamin is the co-founder and CEO of Karner Blue Capital, an SEC-registered investment adviser dedicated to investing in biodiversity protection, environmental stewardship, and animal welfare. Before establishing KBC, Vicki served as President, COO, and CFO for Calvert Investments, an industry leader in socially responsible investing. Vicki was a partner of a “Big 4” accounting firm for more than ten years before joining Calvert.

 

55. How we can Create a New Economy With Rex Raimond — Part 1

55. How we can Create a New Economy With Rex Raimond — Part 1

In October 2021, Kimberly Griego-Kiel took part in the ESG For Impact! conference in Colorado Springs. 

During this two-day conference, Kim attended sessions focused on SRI investments, strategies, and concepts while connecting with like-minded professionals and industry leaders. 

One of those leaders was Rex Raimond, the director of The Transformational Investing in Food Systems (TIFS) Initiative.

In the first part of the ESG for Impact! miniseries, Rex joins Kim to explain everything around investing in global food systems. They explore how food growth can impact our health and the environment and outline ways we can get into a new sustainable economy.

Kim and Rex discuss:

  • How food systems fit within the ESG arena
  • The destructiveness of the agricultural system
  • The financial component of growing food system operations
  • Consequences of not managing our land properly
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Rex Raimond

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel

About Rex Raimond: 

Rex Raimond has more than 20 years of experience developing strategies and building effective partnerships for sustainable and equitable food systems. He applies his partnership-building skills to help build a movement among concessional, impact, and commercial investors, companies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to increase investment in principles-aligned food system businesses that are economically viable and deliver sustainable impact. Rex has worked on many aspects of food and agricultural systems transformation, including sustainable finance, crop insurance, and agricultural policy, market incentives for soil health practices, sustainable supply chains, food safety, science and emerging technologies, sustainable landscape planning, and climate change. 

 

Episode 43: U.S. Farmers and Ranchers In Action: Creating Sustainable Food and Supply Chains – With Erin Fitzgerald

Episode 43: U.S. Farmers and Ranchers In Action: Creating Sustainable Food and Supply Chains – With Erin Fitzgerald

Farmers are a lot like scientists. In fact, for farmers to be able to cultivate healthy food for people like us, they need to know a lot about the way they’re producing and growing that food. 

How are farmers and ranchers working to bring us healthier meals while also enhancing sustainability efforts in agriculture?

Find out in this episode, as Erin Fitzgerald, the CEO of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers In Action (USFRA), sits down with Kimberly Griego-Kiel to continue the conversation on sustainable agriculture. Erin explains everything you need to know about USFRA and the firm’s role in creating solutions for economic and agricultural sustainability.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • USFRA’s vision and mission
  • How farmers and ranchers can reduce carbon emissions 
  • From cow Fitbits to cover crops: Technological innovations for farms and ranches 
  • Ways agriculture can contribute to America’s overall economic growth 
  • And more!

Tune in today and learn how you, too, can support the sustainable agriculture movement! 

Resources: Horizon Sustainable Financial Services: (505) 982-9661 | info@horizonssfs.com  | Facebook | Erin Fitzgerald | US Farmers and Ranchers in Action  | Film: 30 Harvest | Cow Manager | Episode 42: Investing in Climate-Smart Agriculture – With David Bennell

Episode 42: Investing in Climate-Smart Agriculture – With David Bennell

Episode 42: Investing in Climate-Smart Agriculture – With David Bennell

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD) David Bennell focuses on creating high-quality products, services, and programs that deliver real value and set the standard for safety, sustainability, and profitability.

In this episode, join Kimberly Griego-Kiel as she sits down with David to discuss his contribution to the Transformative Investment in Climate-Smart Soil Agriculture report and to highlight what you really need to know about agricultural investment.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How much private capital is in the United States’ agricultural system 
  • Why technological and financial innovation benefit the agriculture sector 
  • The role of greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural production 
  • Why resilience is so important in an agricultural environment 
  • And more!

Listen in and find out why, at the end of the day, you are always investing in agriculture! 

Resources: Horizon Sustainable Financial Services: (505) 982-9661 | info@horizonssfs.com | Facebook | David Bennell | World Business Council for Sustainable Development |  

Report: Transformative Investment in Climate-Smart Agriculture

Episode 41: An In-Depth Look at Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSR)

Episode 41: An In-Depth Look at Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSR)

You’ve likely heard the term CSR (Corporate Sustainability Reporting) at least once. But do you really know what this type of reporting entails and why it’s so important?

Find out in this episode as Kimberly Griego-Kiel takes you along for an in-depth look at CSR. By outlining its benefits, challenges, solutions, and guidelines, Kim explains CSR’s role within corporations and reveals how it fits into the overall idea of sustainability. 

In this episode, you will learn:

  • The history and purpose of Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSR) 
  • Challenges associated with CSR
  • The role of CSR in a firm’s profit and ESG metrics  
  • Kim’s take on how to achieve good quality CSR 
  • How millennials are shaping the future of sustainability 
  • And more!

Listen in for your crash course on the ins and outs of CSR!

Resources: Horizon Sustainable Financial Services | info@horizons

Episode 40: ESG and Sustainable Investing Predictions for 2021

Episode 40: ESG and Sustainable Investing Predictions for 2021

What can we expect to see from sustainable investing in 2021?

Find out in this episode as Kimberly Griego-Kiel reveals her ESG and sustainable investing predictions for the year! 

Join Kim as she forecasts what might lay ahead based on industry research findings. Plus, she shares the potential benefits ESG investing can bring to the government, citizens, and corporations alike.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How impact investing has grown since 2018 
  • Why more companies and individuals are choosing sustainable investing 
  • ESG and social investing trends of 2021 
  • Why corporation sustainability reporting could be a new requirement in upcoming years 
  • And more!

Tune in today to learn Kim’s view on 2021’s sustainable investing industry!

Resources:

Horizon Sustainable Financial Services | info@horizonssfs.com  | Facebook505-982-9661 | 2020 US Social Investment Forum Report