IN THIS ISSUE:

• Consider videoconferencing. HIP companies are increasingly moving to reduce the volume of employee travel, the second largest variable expense for most corporations. By going virtual, companies can save money and carbon at the same time. AT&T has reduced employee air miles by 15%through videoconferencing and Web meeting. Cisco's TelePresence system enables staff and customers to have face-to-face meetings that feel like being there in person. Of course, Skype can also connect you via video as well as audio over your computer.
• If you do fly, seek out efficient aircraft. Newer planes are lighter, and designed for lower fuel usage. When searching online, look for smaller jets like Embraer and avoid three-decades-old Boeing 747s if you can.
• Don't rent a car, share one! Car-sharing services like ZipCar (typically less than $10 per hour) are starting to be copied by the large auto-rental agencies. You can also ride-share, take a bus, or where possible, public transport (San Francisco, Oakland, New York's JFK and Chicago's O'Hare all easily connect).

The environmental benefits are substantial - according to an estimate by Trees for the Future, 3.2 million acres of trees would need to be planted every year to offset the emissions caused by the 240 billion miles racked up by U.S. business travelers annually.  And with airfares climbing ever higher, those companies who are proactive in reducing their carbon footprint by reducing employee air miles can be seeing even more green on the income statement in higher profits.

HIP's Summer Reading List:   CHECK OUT  29 books for the beach, campsite or airport waiting lounge.

Join July 8:  "HIP Your Trip:  Eco-Travel & Hospitality" Investor Roundtable

To learn more about how to HIP your personal and corporate travel, come to HIP's July 8 Investor Roundtable: HIP Your Trip, Eco-Travel and Hospitality.  The program will feature speakers from

• Fairmont Hotels, who literally wrote the book on eco-efficient hotel practices, which is used at the Cornell School of Hospitality. The Fairmont website also has an Eco-Meet Event Planning Guide.
• The Orchard Garden Hotel, which was built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, the 4th built in the world to this earth-friendly approach.
• Deloitte Consulting, which has an innovative green corporate travel program.

In addition to the featured speakers, we'll highlight some of the most HIP companies in the travel industry, from Zipcar's innovative model that rental car companies are beginning to replicate, to Nature Air, aspiring to be the "world's first ‘carbon-neutral' airline," as well as Virgin Air's testing of more eco-friendly jet fuel.

Through speakers and discussion, the Roundtable will address how companies simultaneously solve customer needs, benefit the environment, and make money for investors.

EVENT DETAILS
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Downtown San Francisco, close to Muni/BART
RSVP: http://julyroundtable.eventbrite.com

Our Agenda
6:00pm    Network with HIP Investors - from hedge fund managers to entrepreneurs
6:30pm    Learn the latest HIP perspective on HIP travel and hear from industry leaders
7:15pm    Open discussion on travel choices - for yourself AND your portfolio
7:45pm   Meet fellow HIP Investors

Quarterly Update: 10 HIP Places to Park your Cash - New Recognition for Sustainable Banks

Since HIP's March 2008 Investor Roundtable on Banking, we want to highlight awards for banking sustainably - and insight into a sustainable bank's HIP commitments.

First, two financial institutions featured in "10 HIP Places to Park Your Cash" have since received recognition as leaders in sustainable banking:

• New Resource Bank was a featured employer in a Fortune magazine feature on Great Green Careers ("Earth friendly jobs aren't just about organic farming and installing solar panels. Meet the carbon traders, eco-bankers and corporate climate strategists shaping the new green economy.") New Resource Bank opened in 2006 with around $25 million in capital and now has assets of more than $130 million (Inc.com).

• ShoreBank Pacific was recognized by Washington CEO magazine with a Green Washington Award as the "greenest" financial organization in the state. Out of 140 applicants in 12 categories, ShoreBank Pacific was selected amongst 25 other Washington-based companies honored at the inaugural awards event. At the end of the first quarter of 2008, ShoreBank Pacific had accumulated earnings of $252,000 and their assets had grown by 16% in to $175 million (banking-business-review.com).

• Across the Atlantic, on June 3 the Financial Times's Sustainable Banking Awards recognized Banco Real with its Sustainable Bank of the Year Award. In 2003 the bank restructured, beginning by reformulating both its vision and mission statement for banking in the 21st century.

June Roundtable Round-Up: Hot Investments to Cool Climate Change

Thank you to Terri Carter and Kirsten Mecklenburg of Deloitte Consulting, who hosted HIP's June 2008 Investor Roundtable in downtown San Francisco, and featured a trio of innovators in renewable-energy solutions and investing:

• Bob Okunski of Sunpower spoke about the solar pioneer's technology advances and its efforts to cut the costs of solar power, while enumerating challenges of the current policy landscape.
• Jay Rooke explained how TerraPass takes a grassroots approach to cutting carbon emissions, and highlighted its innovative methane capture methods at local dairy farms.
• Josh Becker, co-founder of New Cycle Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm, explained some of the firm's criteria for seeking out promising ventures within the "extended green economy."

Entrepreneurs, industry experts, investors and students networked prior to the presentations - and engaged in an energetic discussion during the Q&A session. The discussion highlighted innovative new initiatives (e.g. 1 Block Off the Grid), emerging technologies within the renewable energy space, and the policy debates currently consuming the renewable energy community, such as investment tax credits.

Attendee Kathy Brozek enthused, "It was a perfect mix of presentations, data analysis, discussion and networking, (with) a stimulating mix of attendees."

CHECK IT OUT: Watch the presentation slides and listen to Jamie Chomas and Paul Herman present HIP's view on the impact of carbon on traditional and renewable energy investments.

Seven (7) HIP Sustainability Solutions for Your Company and Your Portfolio

HIP Investor serves a spectrum of investors, from accredited individuals and family foundations, to institutional investors and endowments - plus everyday investors.  HIP provides a range of services for you and your investment portfolio, including:

• Strategic goal setting - how to integrate your values, human impact goals and financial stability into your portfolio.
• Analyzing your portfolio - how HIP are your stocks, bonds, real estate and other investments? HIP helps you quantify them - and how they drive profit.
• Screening new investments - how to conduct HIP due diligence on management practices, quantifiable impacts, and how they drive profit.
• (Coming soon!) HIP portfolios and HIP funds - want to start investing HIP? Launching later this year, HIP Portfolios will enable you to feel good, do good and make money.

• Sustainability strategy - how to create competitive advantage, profit growth and empowered employees by focusing on and increasing Human Impact.
• Supplier scorecards - how to encourage sustainability from suppliers, and keep them accountable to HIP criteria.
• Screening capital spending and new projects - how to ensure the highest ROI from your new products and other initiatives by applying the HIP Scorecard.

Please contact Jessica Skylar at jessica@HIPInvestor.com  to learn more about how HIP can help you, your company or your portfolio.