Earth Day draws attention to urgent environmental problems, including climate change, species extinction, pollution and resource scarcity. Companies, institutions and private individuals are called upon to do their bit to protect our planet. Actions range from local waste collection initiatives to political demands for stricter environmental regulations.
The role of the financial world
Sustainability is not only a social issue, but also an economic one. Investments in sustainable companies, so-called ESG investments (environmental, social, governance), have become increasingly important in recent years: between 2005 and 2020, these investments increased by over 450 percent. The financial world can influence which companies grow and which concepts prevail through targeted capital management. Investors now have the opportunity to specifically support sustainable projects with their investments and thus achieve a positive ecological and social impact.
At the same time, the discussion about greenwashing is also gaining in importance: companies adorn themselves with a sustainable image without implementing substantial ecological or social improvements. This makes it more difficult for investors to distinguish between genuine sustainability and mere image cultivation. This makes transparent criteria, independent ratings and critical scrutiny all the more important.
Since President Trump took office in early 2025, the environment for ESG investments in the US has also deteriorated noticeably. Environmental policy setbacks and political uncertainties have led to capital outflows from ESG funds. However, global interest in sustainable investing remains high for the time being - Europe and Asia in particular are still sending clear signals for a greener financial world.
Companies and sustainability
In the following section, we present securities that strive for sustainability and environmental protection, but have also failed in some cases. But also some negative examples that made the headlines and in some cases had a disastrous impact on the environment.
Société Nouvelle des Mines du Caucal, Share from 1897, Source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
Société Nouvelle des Mines du Cauca
This historic share is symbolic of one of the dark sides of raw material extraction. The Colombian province of Cauca, after which the company is named, is still one of the poorest regions in the country. Gold mining there is closely linked to environmental destruction, the use of toxic chemicals such as mercury and serious social problems. Illegal mines finance armed groups and contribute to money laundering in the drug trade. An example of how raw materials can create value - but often at the expense of people and nature.
Dow Chemical Company, Bond from 1978, Source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
Dow Chemical Company
Dow Inc., headquartered in Midland, Michigan, is one of the largest chemical companies in the world. The company has been a major player in the global chemical industry for decades - and has also repeatedly been the target of criticism. Dow is involved in the production and distribution of PFAS, so-called “perpetual chemicals”, which are criticized worldwide for their extreme longevity and health risks. Today, these substances can be found in soil, water and even human blood - an example of the serious consequences of the industry.
Shell Oil Company, Shareo from 1975, Source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
Shell Oil Company
Today's Shell plc is one of the largest energy companies in the world. The company was formed in 1907 through the merger of the British Shell Transport and Trading Company with the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company. Shell originally traded in mussels, then moved into kerosene transportation and later into oil production.
Shell has been criticized for decades for environmental destruction and human rights violations - particularly in the Niger Delta in Nigeria, where leaks and flaring have caused serious ecological and health damage. Despite public criticism and numerous promises, there has been no fundamental improvement. Other oil companies such as BP have also become symbols of the risks and consequences of fossil fuel extraction due to catastrophic oil spills - such as the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010.
Beaver Oils, Limited, Share from 1914, Source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
Beaver Oils, Limited
Beaver Oils, Limited, features a beaver on its stock from 1914, symbolic of the important ecosystem these animals create. The beaver plays a vital role by creating wetlands and regulating water. In contrast, Beaver Oils' business is in the oil industry, a commodity that is a drain on natural resources in many ways. The stock is an interesting indication of the contrast between economic activities and the protection of our environment.
Note on the selected examples
This is only a very small selection of many companies. There are numerous negative and positive examples. The companies mentioned in this article and their practices are based on publicly available sources. The article is intended to provide information about sustainability and corporate responsibility. We assume no liability for the accuracy or completeness of the information presented.
B.A.U.M. Aktiengesellschaft, Aktie von 2001, Quelle: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
B.A.U.M. Aktiengesellschaft
B.A.U.M. AG, which emerged from the “Bundesdeutscher Arbeitskreis für Umweltbewusstes Management e.V.”, goes public in 2001. As a special feature, the company issues physical share certificates designed by the author and artist Janosch. B.A.U.M. AG, based in Hamburg, invests in companies in the environmental, sustainability and media sectors. In the media business, B.A.U.M. relies on Janosch Film & Medien by the illustrator Janosch, known for his children's book characters such as Günter Kastenfrosch and the Tiger Duck.
However, B.A.U.M. AG fails and goes bankrupt in 2004. The tree that symbolized the company falls. Despite the positive approaches in the areas of sustainability and media, the company is not sustainable enough and ends up in insolvency.
Hunziker Food Recycling, Share from 1980, Source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
Hunziker Food Recycling
Founded in 1980, Hunziker Food Recycling AG, now part of Bima Energie AG, produces biogas from meat waste in Münchwilen (Thurgau). Despite promising technology, the plant is struggling with considerable problems and only reaches a fraction of its capacity. This leads to high costs and resentment among the towns involved. It is financed by high biogas prices, which has led to criticism.
Sun Electric Generator Company, Share from 1909, Source: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
Sun Electric Generator Company
The Sun Electric Generator Company, founded by George Howard Cove, presents a model of a solar generator whose collector looks strikingly similar to modern solar cells. Despite the innovative design, it turns out that the device is not powered by solar energy, but by municipal electricity, which leads to a fraud scandal. Today, solar cells are an established technology, first successfully developed by scientists Chapin, Fuller and Pearson at Bell Labs in 1954.
Aktiengesellschaft Brown, Boveri & Cie. Aktie von 1938, Quelle: Stiftung Sammlung historischer Wertpapiere
Aktiengesellschaft Brown, Boveri & Cie.
BBC Brown Boveri & Cie, now known as ABB, offers numerous environmentally friendly technologies - from drive systems for electric vehicles to robotic solutions for more efficient production processes and systems for the energy transition. Today's commitment to sustainability is the result of a long development process.