Top 8 US Stocks for Fighting Climate Change

Powering the shift away from fossil fuels with a complete energy ecosystem.

• Transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 27% of global total output. By switching to Tesla electric vehicles (EVs), consumers have helped accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy by avoiding 8.4m metric tons of CO2e emissions. While detractors of EVs will say these electric vehicles are being charged by a fossil fuel powered grid, the world’s energy grids are getting greener and so grid-charged Teslas will streak further ahead of ICE vehicles in terms of use-phase emission reductions.
• Tesla’s action against climate change isn’t just limited to their EVs. Tesla solar panels have assisted in their net zero goals, generating more electricity than has been consumed by their vehicles and factories between 2012 and 2021.

Clean energy capacity to double by 2030, delivering a cleaner energy grid.

• Brookfield Renewable is one of the largest pure-play renewable operators globally. Their diverse generation portfolio of hydroelectric, wind and solar assets have helped accelerate the global transition to net zero emissions. According to the EPA, electricity generation follows closely behind transportation as the second largest contributor to emissions and so Brookfield decreasing their carbon intensity by 24% compared to 2020 carbon intensity to 3.5 tonnes of CO2e per GWh generated is an important step to a greener energy grid. This is even more impressive when you consider that it is 135 times lower than the global average grid carbon intensity. Brookfield’s plans to develop an additional 21,000 MW of new clean energy capacity by 2030 shows the company is putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to climate action.

Developing ‘Zero-Carbon Ammonia’ as an environmentally friendly way of enhancing crop yields.

• Agriculture is the world’s largest industry. It employs more than one billion people and generates over $1.3 trillion dollars worth of food annually, however it is also one of the biggest contributors to pollution in the world and is a leading cause of deforestation. Nutrien, the largest potash and nitrogen producer in the world, is essential to the agriculture industry as it provides farmers with the crop nutrients needed to feed millions. While the company has committed to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 through process improvements, the company’s push to develop ‘green ammonia’ at a commercially viable scale will be an important step towards mitigating the impacts of agriculture on the environment.

Delivering water recycling solutions in the face of water scarcity.

• By 2030, it’s estimated that the world will need 40% more water to support the anticipated growth in industry and population. However, diminishing access to clean water caused by climate factors raises the questions over whether we can actually meet these water needs. EcoLab is striving to improve water availability worldwide through the deployment of its industrial water reuse and recycling solutions to its customers. EcoLab’s water treatment, sanitization and food processing solutions offer customers across a range of industries optimizations in their water use — helping conserve one of the Earth’s most precious resources.

Strict adherence to environmental places in top ten most sustainable companies.

• It’s important to applaud the companies that remain diligent with their environmental stewardship. American Water Works repeatedly finds itself at the top of the list when it comes to sustainability, landing a spot in Corporate Knights’ 18th annual Global 100 list of the World’s Most Sustainable Corporations for the third year in a row. The company is the top-ranked water utility company on the list and is ranked sixth on the over-all list. American Water has set its sights quite high in regards to future environmental goals, aiming to save 15% in water delivered to customers while still meeting their needs by 2035. They’re also well on their way to meeting their targeted 40% reduction in GHG emissions by 2025, having reduced emissions by 36% already in 2021.
• American Water is partnering with NJR Clean Energy Ventures to construct an 8.9MW floating solar array, which will provide 95% of the power for its Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant.

Renewable energy from landfills.

• Being a leader in the recycling industry, Republic Services is already pulling its weight in environmental responsibility. Unfortunately, not all waste is recyclable and it inevitably ends up in landfill but landfill doesn’t just have to be a means of waste disposal. Republic Services in a joint venture with Archaea Energy have developed the means to capture landfill gas and convert it to renewable natural gas (RNG). The joint venture plans to develop 39 landfill RNG projects across 19 states. Once these sites are operational, they’re expected to generate 12.5 million MMBtu of RNG annually – enough to meet the energy needs of 200,000 residents. As a low-carbon fuel, landfill RNG can provide as much as a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional energy sources and allows Republic Services to make a significant climate impact directly from their operations.

Sustainable biofuels improve the carbon footprint of our ICE powered vehicles.

• Transportation is what keeps our country moving forward, however it’s also our largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Even though EVs will provide a viable solution in the future, they don’t address the emissions from the existing fleet of fossil fuel powered vehicles. Biofuel is an alternative fuel derived from renewable biomass which can help alleviate the environmental impacts of traditional petroleum products. According to the USDA, every gallon of biofuel produced reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 46% compared to a gallon of petroleum fuel. Since its inception, Green Plains’ biofuels have reduced CO2 emissions by over 34.3 million metric tons, the equivalent of taking 7.4 million passenger vehicles off the road, according to the EPA. Lowering emissions isn’t the only benefit of Green Plains’ biofuels, which lack some of the harmful additives in petroleum-based fuels and also has a higher octane rating than traditional fuel - improving engine performance.

Helping to decarbonize a highly pollutive industry.

• According to the New South Wales government, the steel production industry alone emits 6-9 % of global CO2 emissions and with a growing population, the demand for steel is expected to rise by 50% by 2050. Schnitzer Steel has recognised this growing demand for steel and has made it its mission to decarbonize the steel industry. Through its extensive steel recycling business, Schnitzer Steel repurposes millions of tons of steel that would otherwise end up in landfill. Through efficient recovery technologies and a mill powered by hydroelectricity, the company is able to reduce air emissions significantly per ton of steel produced compared to traditional methods. In 2021 the company achieved its goal of 100% net carbon-free electricity use at its facilities. For the eight consecutive year, Schnitzer Steel has earned a place among Ethisphere’s list of the World’s Most Ethical Companies which is a testament to the company’s dedication to enacting positive environmental change in the steel industry.