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Ellen Kennedy

Contributing Editor, ESG, Kiplinger.com

Ellen Kennedy writes on environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing and sustainability. She was an ESG manager and analyst at Calvert Investments for 15 years, covering environment, climate and consumer staples. She served on the sustainability councils of several Fortune 500 companies, filed shareholder proposals on supply chain and related issues, and served on ESG boards and councils. She also focused on sustainable agriculture, water resources and environmental justice.

Prior to joining Calvert, Ellen was a program officer for Winrock International, managing alternative energy projects in Latin America. She also helped to launch a program on gender and agriculture in West Africa, providing scholarships to female students in agricultural science. She earned a master’s from University of California Berkeley on international relations and Latin America, where she conducted research on gender and migration in rural Mexico.

She received a BA from Haverford College and is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.

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Investing for Income

McDonald's (MCD) Stock: Tasty, Empty Calories

For some, ESG challenges such as climate change and animal welfare offset the durability and dividends of MCD shares.

May 25, 2022

Earth Day concept art of the globe sprouting a plant while held in a child's hands

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ESG

5 ESG Stocks to Buy for Earth Day 2022

We explore five highly rated ESG-friendly stocks that act as standouts in five key environmental areas.

April 19, 2022

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ESG

3 Ways Climate Change Disclosures Would Benefit Investors

Publicly traded companies might soon have to report how they manage climate risk – and their own greenhouse gas emissions.

March 25, 2022

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Financial Planning

Double Your ESG Impact With Funds Tied to Charities

A growing number of funds donate directly to causes you might care about. Are they good investments?

March 17, 2022

An obsolete Russian tank is covered in snow

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ESG

ESG Gives Russia the Cold Shoulder, Too

MSCI jumped on the Russia dogpile this week, reducing the country's ESG government rating to the lowest possible level.

March 11, 2022

Photo of Amy Domini, founder of Domini Investments

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ESG

Amy Domini on the Secrets of Sustainable Investing

An ESG pioneer says finding good corporate citizens is the best way to make money.

February 25, 2022

Larry Fink, chief executive officer of BlackRock

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ESG

BlackRock’s Fink: Decarbonizing Economy ‘Greatest Investment Opportunity of Our Lifetime’

BlackRock letter asks corporations to lead on greening the economy, employee mental health and fair pay, and announces creation of the BlackRock Cente…

January 19, 2022

A man climbs stairs on day two of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland.

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ESG

ESG Disclosure Standards Go Global With ISSB Launch

The International Sustainability Standards Board will attempt to deliver ESG reporting standards that also focus on investor needs and building compan…

November 5, 2021

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ESG

What Are Public Benefit Corporations (PBCs)?

PBCs focus not just on profits, but other stakeholders such as people and the planet. And their numbers are growing.

October 15, 2021

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ESG

General Mills (GIS) Is Wholesome … On Several Counts

Strong ESG performance, stability and dependable dividends build a compelling case for keeping General Mills on your watch list.

October 14, 2021

A lush forest surrounding a lake with snow-capped mountains in the background

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ESG

Natural Asset Companies (NACs): A New Type of ESG Investment

The NYSE is launching natural asset companies (NACs) - a new asset class that will assign value to natural services such as clean water.

September 16, 2021