Europe’s 23 million entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs will be the driving force behind the region’s economic recovery. But it’s not just the range of companies that’s dizzying – it’s the disruptive force of their ideas. By Colin Brown, Suzanne Frost, Erik Jaques, Lucy Fitzgeorge-Parker, Hanan Sher, Trevor Huggins and Boyd Farrow
The technologists, the visionaries, the backers – who's who in low emissions
11 DUPONT
LOCATION
WILMINGTON, US
OWNERSHIP
PUBLIC
INDUSTRY SECTOR
CHEMICALS
PRESENT CEO
CHARLES HOLLIDAY
VALUE 1 Nov, 2005
$38.36 BILLION
VALUE 1 Nov, 2006
$41.94 BILLION
COMPANY INFORMATION
DuPont famously reduced its CO2 emissions by 72% between 1990 and 2003, and saved $2bn in energy conservation along the way. By 2015, it wants to further reduce emissions by least 15% from a base year of 2004. It is doubling its efforts to green its products and not just its own operation.
12 BAYER AG
LOCATION
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY
OWNERSHIP
PUBLIC
INDUSTRY SECTOR
CHEMICALS
PRESENT CEO
WERNER WENNING
VALUE 1 Nov, 2005
$25.26 BILLION
VALUE 1 Nov, 2006
$40.91 BILLION
COMPANY INFORMATION
Direct competitor to DuPont and similarly progressive on CO2, which it reduced by 63% between 1990 and 2004. An active participant in the Carbon Disclosure Project, Bayer headed the Climate Leadership Index for the Chemical sector both in 2005 and 2006, making it more attractive to investors.
13 IBERDROLA
LOCATION
BILBAO, SPAIN
OWNERSHIP
PUBLIC
INDUSTRY SECTOR
UTILITIES
PRESENT CEO
JOS
É IGNACIO SÁNCHEZ GALÁN
VALUE 1 Nov, 2005
$24.04 BILLION
VALUE 1 Nov, 2006
$41.4 BILLION
COMPANY INFORMATION
The world's leading wind power utility, Iberdrola has invested very heavily in renewables and has a medium-term objective to reach 6,200 MW in 2008. Of this, 1200 MW will be outside Spain. Having a serious environmental policy since 1991 has paved the way to this leadership position.
14 NOVO NORDISK A/S
LOCATION
BAGSVÆRD, DENMARK
OWNERSHIP
PUBLIC
INDUSTRY SECTOR
HEALTHCARE
PRESENT CEO
LARS REBIEN SØRENSEN
VALUE 1 Nov, 2005
15.59 BILLION
VALUE 1 Nov, 2006
$21.72 BILLION
COMPANY INFORMATION
Diabetes specialist pioneered concept of the 'triple bottom line', ie, profit, CSR and environment are mutually beneficial. Nordisk's website is also an instructive place. Another company that has paid a lot of attention to its supply chain and not just itself
– the next big thing among corporates.
15 ROBECO GROEP N V
LOCATION
ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
OWNERSHIP
PUBLIC
INDUSTRY SECTOR
ASSET MANAGEMENT
PRESENT CEO
GEORGE MÖLLER
VALUE 1 Nov, 2005
$14.67 BILLION
VALUE 1 Nov, 2006
$17.66 BILLION
COMPANY INFORMATION
Asset manager with €131bn under management and part of Rabobank Groep, itself sporting a very high reputation for sustainability. Pioneer of socially responsible investment with Robeco CDO Groen Obligatie and the first green private equity fund, Robeco Sustainable Private Equity.
DuPont famously reduced its CO2 emissions by 72% between 1990 and 2003, and saved $2bn in energy conservation along the way. By 2015, it wants to further reduce emissions by least 15% from a base year of 2004. It is doubling its efforts to green its products and not just its own operation.
Direct competitor to DuPont and similarly progressive on CO2, which it reduced by 63% between 1990 and 2004. An active participant in the Carbon Disclosure Project, Bayer headed the Climate Leadership Index for the Chemical sector both in 2005 and 2006, making it more attractive to investors.
The world's leading wind power utility, Iberdrola has invested very heavily in renewables and has a medium-term objective to reach 6,200 MW in 2008. Of this, 1200 MW will be outside Spain. Having a serious environmental policy since 1991 has paved the way to this leadership position.
Diabetes specialist pioneered concept of the 'triple bottom line', ie, profit, CSR and environment are mutually beneficial. Nordisk's website is also an instructive place. Another company that has paid a lot of attention to its supply chain and not just itself
– the next big thing among corporates.
Asset manager with €131bn under management and part of Rabobank Groep, itself sporting a very high reputation for sustainability. Pioneer of socially responsible investment with Robeco CDO Groen Obligatie and the first green private equity fund, Robeco Sustainable Private Equity. 
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