What We Do
Ceres' Projects
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Overview
 Ceres works with investors worldwide to improve corporate and public policies on climate change and other environmental, social, and corporate governance issues. As part of this mission, Ceres launched and coordinates the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), an alliance of more than 90 institutional investors and financial firms that collectively manage nearly $10 trillion in assets.
Projects
Ceres coordinates investor activity in INCR, a network created in November 2003 to promote better understanding of the risks of climate change among institutional investors. More
Ceres helps investors engage with companies to improve their corporate disclosure and governance on climate change and other issues. More
The 2010 Summit brought together 520 leading institutional investors and state treasurers – representing more than $22 trillion in assets along with corporate executives, financial services representatives and policymakers to consider the scale and urgency of climate change risks and to analyze emerging investment strategies and opportunities. The Summit explored how the rapid global shift to clean technologies and
energy efficiency can stimulate economic growth, and highlights how investors can participate in the low-carbon transition. More
More than 60 leading investors, asset managers and companies released a climate policy call to action requesting prompt tangible action by US lawmakers to tackle global climate change. More
Ceres is pushing to improve research on the financial risks/opportunities posed by climate change and to include that research in standard financial analysis. More
Ceres works with investors to improve corporate disclosure on climate risk by engaging with companies and government policymakers such as the SEC. More
Publications
A Toolkit for Foundations and Individual Investors: Harnessing Your Investments to Help Solve the Climate Crisis
November 2008 - Given that climate risks and opportunities are embedded in all asset classes – including equities, fixed income, real estate and alternative investments – there is a growing demand among foundation endowments and individual investors for actions they can take to respond to climate change. This document provides a brief overview of available steps. Download Toolkit
Managing the Risks and Opportunities of Climate Change: A Practical Toolkit for Investors
April 2008 - The next 50 years will require a massive shift to cleaner energy sources and technologies to avoid unmanageable climate disruption. This toolkit is designed to help investors begin to comprehensively address climate risks and opportunities in four key areas: internal statements, policies, and governance; engagement with companies, investors, and others; investment practices; public policy support. Download Toolkit
2008 Investor Summit on Climate Risk Final Report
April 2008 - To consider the scale and urgency of the climate challenge and how investors can advance solutions, Ceres, the United Nations Foundation, and the UN Fund for International Partnerships co-hosted the third Investor Summit on Climate Risk at the United Nations on February 14, 2008. More than 450 investors, representing over $22 trillion in assets, participated in the Summit. Download: Full Text
Mutual Funds and Climate Change: Opposition to Climate Change Begins to Thaw
April 2008 - This report is the fourth by Ceres examining the mutual fund industry’s proxy voting practices on climate change shareholder resolutions. This new analysis of the voting records of 1,285 mutual funds from 62 leading mutual fund firms indicates that the industry’s previously icy attitude on climate resolutions is beginning to thaw, and that many on Wall Street are starting to realize the financial risks and opportunities from climate change. Download Full Text
Corporate Governance and Climate Change: The Banking Sector
January 2008 - This report analyzes the corporate governance and strategic approaches of 40 of the world's largest banks to the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change. The financial community is at the center of this economic transformation. With nearly $6 trillion in market capitalization, banks are the world's major capital providers and risk management experts. As such, banks have a vital role in finding timely, practical and cost-effective solutions to mitigate climate change and adapt the economy to its already apparent effects. Download: Summary Report Bank Profiles: U.S. Banks
Canadian Banks
European Banks
Asia/Pacific Island Banks
November 2007 - Global warming and the growing incidence of extreme weather events pose an enormous challenge to the insurance industry. This report focuses on the significant progress made by insurers to develop these new products and services. Download: Full Text PDF
October 2007 - A new analysis by Citi, Ceres and the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR) finds that the Senate proposal to raise fuel economy standards for U.S. cars and trucks will have only minor impact on shareholders of auto companies. Download: Full Text
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SPOTLIGHT
Investors Press Energy Companies to Better Disclose Spill Prevention and Response Plans
August 5, 2010 - In the wake of significant financial losses from the BP oil spill, more than 50 global investors have sent letters to major energy companies asking them to disclose information regarding their risk oversight measures, including spill prevention and response plans. More
NEWS & EVENTS
Platts on 08/13/10: Mining Companies Must Disclose Safety Violations Under New US Law
Workplace safety records for companies with US mining operations, in the spotlight since the Upper Big Branch blast, will be more visible to investors, as federal regulators prepare to enforce a law requiring them to detail violations and fines meted out by the Mine Safety and Health Administration in their financial disclosure forms.
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Marketplace on 08/03/10: Extracting Oil from Canadian Sand Pits
Canada has some of the most oil in the world, and about half of it comes
from the "oil sands." Oil companies use some of the most expensive,
energy intensive technology to extract the oil from the sand -- which
leaves an impact on the environment too. More
POLITICO on 07/26/10: Put a Price on Carbon
Now that the Senate has again decided to hold off on a comprehensive energy and climate bill, we look back at the debate with frustration — but also with lessons learned for the future.The debate came down to one question: Will putting a price on carbon create — or cost — U.S. jobs? Sadly, political fears allowed myths about the legislation to overshadow the strong reality that comprehensive reform will create jobs and lead to economic growth. More
New Report: Canada's Oil Sands Face Significant Financial and Environmental Risks as Great as Those in BP Spill
May 17, 2010 - While public attention is focused on widespread environmental and financial damage from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, a new Ceres report released today shows that the environmental and financial risks of producing oil in Canada's vast oil sands region may be even greater. More
Politico on 04/23/10: SEC's Climate Change Transparency
Transparency is a cornerstone of our economy. For investors, that means being entitled to hear about the risks of an investment before making a long-term capital commitment. That’s why the Securities and Exchange Commission’s new climate change disclosure guidance is important. Read More
Investors Globally Call for Greater Transparency on Climate Change Exposure from Oil and Gas Companies
March 18, 2010 - Institutional investors released new climate disclosure guidelines for the oil and gas sector today and called on companies to strengthen their reporting on the risks and opportunities from climate change and evolving regulation. More
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