Banking and Finance http://www.ceres.org Reports concerning sustainability issues and the banking and finance sector. daily 1 2011-02-08T15:41:20Z Power Factor: Institutional Investors’ Policy Priorities Can Bring Energy Efficiency to Scale http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/power-factor-institutional-investors2019-policy-priorities-can-bring-energy-efficiency-to-scale Research shows climate change could impose a multi-trillion dollar burden on the global economy and contribute ten percent of overall risk within institutional investment portfolios. Institutional investors, who manage tens of trillions of dollars globally, are actively looking for ways to mitigate these climate-related risks. Energy efficiency offers one such opportunity for institutional investors to manage the risks of climate change while earning a competitive rate of return on their investment. Research shows climate change could impose a multi-trillion dollar burden on the global economy and contribute ten percent of overall risk within institutional investment portfolios. Institutional investors, who manage tens of trillions of dollars globally, are actively looking for ways to mitigate these climate-related risks. Energy efficiency offers one such opportunity for institutional investors to manage the risks of climate change while earning a competitive rate of return on their investment.

Industry analysts have estimated the potential energy efficiency investment opportunity in the hundreds of billions of dollars. However, under current market conditions, institutional investors are largely unable to finance energy efficiency projects at the scale necessary to address climate change or to meet their own internal investment criteria. At sufficient size, a market for energy efficiency loans could present an attractive investment opportunity for institutions.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2013-05-21T13:00:00Z Resource INCR Listing Standards Drafting Committee Consultation Paper: Proposed Sustainability Disclosure Listing Standard for Global Stock Exchanges http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/incr-listing-standards-drafting-committee-consultation-paper-proposed-sustainability-disclosure-listing-standard-for-global-stock-exchanges A group of leading global investors have created a Consultation Paper with recommendations for integrating sustainability disclosure requirements into listing rules for U.S. and global stock exchanges. A group of leading global investors have created a Consultation Paper with recommendations for integrating sustainability disclosure requirements into listing rules for U.S. and global stock exchanges.

The draft recommendations were developed by nearly a dozen investors who are part of the Ceres-led Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR). BlackRock, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation, and the AFL-CIO Office of Investment are among those who participated on the INCR Listing Standards Drafting Committee.

The initiative is part of a growing effort by investors and stock exchanges, including NASDAQ OMX, to make sustainability disclosure a consistent requirement for corporate listings on stock exchanges. While several exchanges have adopted their own sustainability listing requirements and guidance, INCR members and NASDAQ OMX have set out to develop a uniform baseline standard that all stock exchanges can use.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2013-04-08T13:10:00Z Resource Water Ripples: Expanding Risks for U.S. Water Providers http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/water-ripples-expanding-risks-for-u.s.-water-providers As numerous western states are considering massive new water supply projects, a new Ceres report is suggesting caution. Citing shrinking federal funds, uncertain water demand and declining revenues to pay for the projects, the report recommends that utilities move carefully before embarking on major pipelines, reservoirs and other new infrastructure that will create financial risks for investors and utility customers alike. As numerous western states are considering massive new water supply projects, a new Ceres report is suggesting caution.

Citing shrinking federal funds, uncertain water demand and declining revenues to pay for the projects, the report recommends that utilities move carefully before embarking on major pipelines, reservoirs and other new infrastructure that will create financial risks for investors and utility customers alike.

The report also recommends that water demand projections be viewed skeptically by credit rating agencies, investors and policymakers; that investors and credit rating agencies seek better understanding of how rate structures influence demand and revenue streams; and that environmental and consumer groups actively work to build public support for water rates that ensure future water security and affordability.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2012-12-11T13:55:00Z Resource The Road to 2020: Corporate Progress on the Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/the-road-to-2020-corporate-progress-on-the-ceres-roadmap-for-sustainability The Road to 2020: Corporate Progress on The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability (www.ceres.org/roadto2020) assesses how U.S. businesses are progressing on sustainability and uses as a framework, The 21st Century Corporation: The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability—a guide for integrating sustainability across a company’s entire enterprise. Specifically, it evaluates where 600 large publicly traded companies stand on sustainability issues in terms of governance, stakeholder engagement, disclosure and performance. The Road to 2020: Corporate Progress on The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability (www.ceres.org/ceresroadmap) assesses how U.S. businesses are progressing on sustainability and uses as a framework, The 21st Century Corporation: The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability—a guide for integrating sustainability across a company’s entire enterprise. Specifically, it evaluates where 600 large publicly traded companies stand on sustainability issues in terms of governance, stakeholder engagement, disclosure and performance.

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2012-04-25T10:40:00Z Resource Multiplying Our Impact: Ceres 2009-2010 Annual Report http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/ceres-2009-2010-annual-report November 2010 - This Ceres Annual Report highlights the remarkable achievements that we have made over the past year in working to build a sustainable global economy. It highlights our successes in four of today's most pressing sustainability issues: the scarcity of water, the need to replace fossil fuels with clean energy, supporting human rights and combating climate change. Ceres' Annual Report also includes case studies of the achievements we have made with our partners, including Oxfam America, Ford Motor Co. and the California Public Employees' Retirement System. November 2010 - This Ceres Annual Report highlights the remarkable achievements that we have made over the past year in working to build a sustainable global economy. It highlights our successes in four of today's most pressing sustainability issues: the scarcity of water, the need to replace fossil fuels with clean energy, supporting human rights and combating climate change. Ceres' Annual Report also includes case studies of the achievements we have made with our partners, including Oxfam America, Ford Motor Co. and the California Public Employees' Retirement System.

]]> No publisher boese.josh@gmail.com annual report 2010-11-20T19:20:00Z Resource Mutual Funds and Climate Change: Growing Support for Shareholder Resolutions 2010 http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/mutual-funds-2010 June 2010 - This year’s report evaluates proxy votes on climate change shareholder resolutions by 46 leading mutual fund families, with collective assets under management totaling more than $5 trillion. The analysis covers 17,834 proxy votes cast from 2004 to 2009 on 96 climate-related shareholder resolutions. Mutual Funds Report 2010June 2010 - This year’s report evaluates proxy votes on climate change shareholder resolutions by 46 leading mutual fund families, with collective assets under management totaling more than $5 trillion. The analysis covers 17,834 proxy votes cast from 2004 to 2009 on 96 climate-related shareholder resolutions.

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2010-06-01T07:00:00Z Resource 2009 Ceres-ACCA Reporting Awards Judges Report http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/2009-ceres-acca-judges-report April 2010 - Ninety-three sustainability reports from companies and organizations, representing over 20 sectors, were submitted for review this year. Of these, fourteen reports were short-listed and an expert panel of judges met in January 2010 to select the award winners. April 2010 - Ninety-three sustainability reports from companies and organizations, representing over 20 sectors, were submitted for review this year. Of these, fourteen reports were short-listed and an expert panel of judges met in January 2010 to select the award winners.

]]> No publisher Brian Sant judges 2010-04-01T18:55:00Z Resource The 21st Century Corporation: The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/ceres-roadmap-to-sustainability-2010 March 2010 - The Ceres Roadmap serves as a vision and practical guide for integrating sustainability into the DNA of business — from the boardroom to the copy room. It analyzes the drivers, risks and opportunities involved in making the shift to sustainability, and details strategies and results from companies who are taking on these challenges. The Ceres Roadmap is designed to provide a comprehensive platform for sustainable business strategy and for accelerating best practices and performance. March 2010 - The Ceres Roadmap serves as a vision and practical guide for integrating sustainability into the DNA of business — from the boardroom to the copy room. It analyzes the drivers, risks and opportunities involved in making the shift to sustainability, and details strategies and results from companies who are taking on these challenges. The Ceres Roadmap is designed to provide a comprehensive platform for sustainable business strategy and for accelerating best practices and performance.

]]> No publisher boese.josh@gmail.com 2010-03-10T15:55:00Z Resource 2010 Investor Summit on Climate Risk Final Report http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/2010-investor-summit-report To highlight the enormous opportunities of this transition and to assess the need for climate change policy, Ceres, the United Nations Office for Partnerships, and the United Nations Foundation co-hosted the fourth Investor Summit on Climate Risk at the United Nations on January 14, 2010. The Summit brought together more than 520 financial, corporate, and investor leaders with more than $22 trillion in combined assets. Speakers from the investment community, business, labor, and government highlighted the fact that private investment in climate change solutions is crucial for addressing the climate crisis and will not happen at the necessary scale without strong climate and energy policies that limit emissions and put a price on carbon. To highlight the enormous opportunities of this transition and to assess the need for climate change policy, Ceres, the United Nations Office for Partnerships, and the United Nations Foundation co-hosted the fourth Investor Summit on Climate Risk at the United Nations on January 14, 2010. The Summit brought together more than 520 financial, corporate, and investor leaders with more than $22 trillion in combined assets. Speakers from the investment community, business, labor, and government highlighted the fact that private investment in climate change solutions is crucial for addressing the climate crisis and will not happen at the necessary scale without strong climate and energy policies that limit emissions and put a price on carbon.

]]> No publisher Brian Sant summit 2010-02-10T08:00:00Z Resource Investors Analyze Climate Risks and Opportunities: A Survey of Asset Managers' Practices http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/survey-of-asset-managers-practices-2010 January 2010 - The report highlights specific best practices that asset managers are using to incorporate climate risks into their due diligence, corporate governance and portfolio valuation. It also outlines questions that institutional investors can be asking asset managers – in requests for proposals (RFPs) and in annual performance reviews – to better ensure that managers are giving climate change risks and opportunities the attention they deserve. January 2010 - The report highlights specific best practices that asset managers are using to incorporate climate risks into their due diligence, corporate governance and portfolio valuation. It also outlines questions that institutional investors can be asking asset managers – in requests for proposals (RFPs) and in annual performance reviews – to better ensure that managers are giving climate change risks and opportunities the attention they deserve.

]]> No publisher boese.josh@gmail.com 2010-01-10T15:55:00Z Resource Investor Progress Report: Results Achieved Since the 2008 Institutional Summit on Climate Risk http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/investor-progress-report-results-achieved-since-the-2008-institutional-summit-on-climate-risk At the third Investor Summit on Climate Risk at the United Nations in February 2008, more than 50 leading U.S. and European institutional investors representing $1.75 trillion in assets announced a new Action Plan, committing to boosting investments in energy efficiency and clean energy technologies, requiring tougher scrutiny of carbon-intensive investments that may pose long-term financial risks, and pledging to support strong policy action on climate and energy At the third Investor Summit on Climate Risk at the United Nations in February 2008, more than 50 leading U.S. and European institutional investors representing $1.75 trillion in assets announced a new Action Plan, committing to boosting investments in energy efficiency and clean energy technologies, requiring tougher scrutiny of carbon-intensive investments that may pose long-term financial risks, and pledging to support strong policy action on climate and energy

]]> No publisher Brian Sant summit 2010-01-10T08:00:00Z Resource Fast Forward: Ceres Annual Report 2008-2009 http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/fast-forward-ceres-annual-report-2008-2009 December 2009 - This report highlights Ceres' 20 year history of building sustainability into capital markets and lays out our vision for reaching a truly sustainable economy by 2020. Told through the lens of our four key pillars for success - Ensuring Honest Accounting, Setting New Standards and Expectations, Accelerating Green Innovation and Changing the Rules of the Game - this report explores Ceres current work and asks the crucial questions we need to answer if we are going to accelerate systemic change to address climate change and other sustainability threats. December 2009 - This report highlights Ceres' 20 year history of building sustainability into capital markets and lays out our vision for reaching a truly sustainable economy by 2020. Told through the lens of our four key pillars for success - Ensuring Honest Accounting, Setting New Standards and Expectations, Accelerating Green Innovation and Changing the Rules of the Game - this report explores Ceres current work and asks the crucial questions we need to answer if we are going to accelerate systemic change to address climate change and other sustainability threats.

]]> No publisher boese.josh@gmail.com annual report 2009-12-09T03:25:00Z Resource Addressing Climate Risk: Financial Institutions and Emerging Markets http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/addressing-climate-risk-financial-institutions-and-emerging-markets-2009 September 2009 - The results of the survey show that emerging market banks recognize the challenges from climate change and are beginning to position themselves for its wide-ranging risks and opportunities, whether from carbon-reducing regulations, international carbon trading schemes or far-reaching physical impacts. September 2009 - The results of the survey show that emerging market banks recognize the challenges from climate change and are beginning to position themselves for its wide-ranging risks and opportunities, whether from carbon-reducing regulations, international carbon trading schemes or far-reaching physical impacts.

]]> No publisher boese.josh@gmail.com 2009-09-09T02:25:00Z Resource Reclaiming Transparency in a Changing Climate http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/reclaiming-transparency-in-a-changing-climate-1 June 2009 – This report, by Ceres, CEES and Environmental Defense Fund, reviews over 6,000 SEC filings by S&P 500 companies from 1995 to 2008. While the study finds some modest improvement in climate risk disclosure since 1995, in 2008 75% of annual reports filed by S&P 500 corporations failed to even mention climate change and only 5% articulated a strategy for managing climate-related risks. June 2009 – This report, by Ceres, CEES and Environmental Defense Fund, reviews over 6,000 SEC filings by S&P 500 companies from 1995 to 2008. While the study finds some modest improvement in climate risk disclosure since 1995, in 2008, 75% of annual reports filed by S&P 500 corporations failed to even mention climate change and only 5% articulated a strategy for managing climate-related risks.

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2009-06-03T07:00:00Z Resource Mutual Funds and Climate Change: Growing Support for Shareholder Resolutions http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/mutual-funds-and-climate-change-2009 May 2009 - Mutual fund support for climate change-related shareholder resolutions involving U.S. companies reached new highs in 2008, but there is still much room for improvement. The increased support mirrors rising overall investor support for climate change resolutions in recent years. It comes as the business case for supporting climate-related resolutions is increasingly clear, as regulation of greenhouse gas emissions is now a reality in many regions of the U.S. and federal regulations are a strong possibility. May 2009 - Mutual fund support for climate change-related shareholder resolutions involving U.S. companies reached new highs in 2008, but there is still much room for improvement. The increased support mirrors rising overall investor support for climate change resolutions in recent years. It comes as the business case for supporting climate-related resolutions is increasingly clear, as regulation of greenhouse gas emissions is now a reality in many regions of the U.S. and federal regulations are a strong possibility.

]]> No publisher boese.josh@gmail.com 2009-05-10T14:50:00Z Resource