Accelerate Green Innovation http://www.ceres.org Small incremental changes will not be enough to meet the challenges posed by rising global temperatures and dwindling water, food and oil resources. Huge amounts of capital are needed to drive innovation and advance solutions at an accelerated pace. y leveraging our extensive network, Ceres will push the world's largest companies, their suppliers and investors to capture the enormous opportunities from energy efficiency, renewable energy, low-carbon products and sustainable supply chains. daily 1 2010-10-14T20:54:56Z 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 Stormy Future for U.S. Property/Casualty Insurers: The Growing Costs and Risks of Extreme Weather Events http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/stormy-future This Ceres report examines how extreme weather trends may be a harbinger of significant challenges ahead for a sector in which many companies are already confronting profitability and growth challenges. This analysis is based on a careful review of U.S. property/casualty insurance industry financial results as reported by A. M. Best Company in early 2012. This Ceres report examines how extreme weather trends may be a harbinger of significant challenges ahead for a sector in which many companies are already confronting profitability and growth challenges. This analysis is based on a careful review of U.S. property/casualty insurance industry financial results as reported by A. M. Best Company in early 2012.

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2012-09-20T14:35:00Z Resource Supplier Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): Building the Foundation for Sustainable Supply Chains http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/supplier-self-assessment-questionnaire-saq-building-the-foundation-for-sustainable-supply-chains The Supplier Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): Building the Foundation for Sustainable Supply Chains will be useful for all companies seeking to strengthen their supply chain engagement. The goal is to help companies be more competitive and build resiliency in their supply chains by identifying, assessing, managing and disclosing supply chain sustainability risks. The Supplier Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): Building the Foundation for Sustainable Supply Chains will be useful for all companies seeking to strengthen their supply chain engagement, though it was designed with the industrial goods sector in mind, as well as those that are just beginning to address sustainability issues in their supply chains. Drawing on leading practices in the field, and addressing environmental, social, and governance issues, the SAQ is a “conversation starter” for companies to use with their suppliers as they begin to assess the sustainability risks in their supply chains. The goal is to help companies be more competitive and build resiliency in their supply chains by identifying, assessing, managing and disclosing supply chain sustainability risks.

The SAQ is part of a broader strategy to raise the bar of supply chain sustainability performance across the global economy. Traditionally, supply chain management has focused on whether a particular supplier facility is complying with certain minimum standards or codes of conduct related to treatment of workers or environmental impacts.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2012-08-31T12:10:00Z Resource Physical Risks from Climate Change: A guide for companies and investors on disclosure and management of climate impacts http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/physical-risks-from-climate-change The year 2011 set records for economic losses and insured losses caused by natural catastrophes, with extreme weather events accounting for 90 percent of the disasters and eight of the 10 most costly, resulting in overall losses of more than $148 billion and insured losses of more than $55 billion. Climate change is predicted to increase these trends. Climate change has already started to cause a wide range of physical effects— with serious implications for investors and businesses. While weather variability and extremes have always existed, the science shows that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, that incremental climatic changes are already underway, and that the impacts of climate change are expected to grow more severe over the coming years and decades.

The year 2011 set records for economic losses and insured losses caused by natural catastrophes, with extreme weather events accounting for 90 percent of the disasters and eight of the 10 most costly, resulting in overall losses of more than $148 billion and insured losses of more than $55 billion. Climate change is predicted to increase these trends.

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2012-05-31T07:00:00Z Resource Restoring Flows: Financing the Next Generation of Water Systems A Strategy for Coalition Building http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/restoring-flows-financing-the-next-generation-of-water-systems-a-strategy-for-coalition-building In this report, Ceres and American Rivers join forces to highlight the importance of bringing together environmentalists, economists, water utilities, water users, financial institutions, foundations, investors and labor groups to create opportunities for the creation of shared pursuits beyond the boundaries of politics, watersheds and economic sectors that typically define our relationship to water. In this report, Ceres and American Rivers join forces to highlight the importance of bringing together environmentalists, economists, water utilities, water users, financial institutions, foundations, investors and labor groups to create opportunities for the creation of shared pursuits beyond the boundaries of politics, watersheds and economic sectors that typically define our relationship to water.

This report originates from a convening of water providers, finance experts and NGOs in August 2011, as part of The Johnson Foundation’s Charting New Waters. With support from the Russell Family Foundation, Ceres and American Rivers were able to continue that dialogue in a series of interviews. This document is an attempt to distill those ideas into a set of high‐priority, high‐impact strategies that can be jointly pursued by the many stakeholders who have a stake in shaping a more prosperous water future.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2012-05-11T16:45:00Z 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 Practicing Risk-Aware Electricity Regulation: What Every State Regulator Needs to Know http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/practicing-risk-aware-electricity-regulation This report is primarily addressed to state regulatory utility commissioners, who will preside over some of the most important investments in the history of the U.S. electric power sector during perhaps its most challenging and tumultuous period. This report seeks to provide regulators with a thorough discussion of risk, and to suggest an approach—“risk-aware regulation”—whereby regulators can explicitly and proactively seek to identify, understand and minimize the risks associated with electric utility resource investment. It is hoped that this approach will result in the effcient deployment of capital, the continued financial health of utilities, and the confidence and satisfaction of the customers on whose behalf utilities invest. This report is primarily addressed to state regulatory utility commissioners, who will preside over some of the most important investments in the history of the U.S. electric power sector during perhaps its most challenging and tumultuous period. This report seeks to provide regulators with a thorough discussion of risk, and to suggest an approach—“risk-aware regulation”—whereby regulators can explicitly and proactively seek to identify, understand and minimize the risks associated with electric utility resource investment. It is hoped that this approach will result in the efficient deployment of capital, the continued financial health of utilities, and the confidence and satisfaction of the customers on whose behalf utilities invest.

For more about this issue, listen to the Ceres Podcast episode with report author Ron Binz, former chairman of the Colorado Public Utility Commission and principle of Public Policy Consulting.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2012-04-19T14:40:00Z Resource Fuel Economy Focus: Industry Perspectives on 2020 http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/fuel-economy-focus-industry-perspectives-on-2020 In collaboration with Citi Investment Research and the Investor Network on Climate Risk, Ceres, along with Oakland University’s School of Business Administration, Baum and Associates, and Meszler Engineering Services simulated the impact that the proposed U.S. Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions program might have on the industry in 2020. The analysis is meant to provide investors with a framework for evaluating the potential industry impact from tightening regulations. In collaboration with Citi Investment Research and the Investor Network on Climate Risk, Ceres, along with Oakland University’s School of Business Administration, Baum and Associates, and Meszler Engineering Services simulated the impact that the proposed U.S. Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions program might have on the industry in 2020. The analysis is meant to provide investors with a framework for evaluating the potential industry impact from tightening regulations.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2012-04-04T18:30:00Z Resource New Jobs - Cleaner Air (Part II): An investment in American Businesses and American Jobs http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/new-jobs-cleaner-air-part-two In February 2011, Ceres issued a study demonstrating how new air pollution rules proposed for the electric power sector by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide long-term economic benefits across much of the United States. This report supplements this economic study by highlighting specific case examples of the companies involved in building a modern generating fleet. It breaks the supply chain into its component pieces and shows the vital role that American workers play in installing and maintaining sophisticated emission control systems. This report is a follow-up to the February 2011 study, New Jobs - Cleaner Air: Employment Effects under Planned Changes to EPA's Air Pollution Rules, which demostrates how new air pollution rules proposed for the electric power sector by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide long-term economic benefits across much of the United States in the form of highly skilled, well-paying jobs created through infrastructure investment in the nation's fleet of power plants.

This follow-up report supplements the original economic study by highlighting specific case examples of the companies involved in building a modern generating fleet. It breaks the supply chain into its component pieces and shows the vital role that American workers play in installing and maintaining sophisticated emission control systems.

State Fact Sheets

Download fact sheets detailing how investments to clean and modernize power plants create new jobs and boost the economy in the following states:

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2011-11-17T15:55:00Z Resource More Jobs Per Gallon: How Strong Fuel Economy/GHG Standards Will Fuel American Jobs http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/more-jobs-per-gallon This Ceres report focuses on the economic impacts of strengthening fuel economy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for passenger vehicles sold in the United States. The analysis finds that stronger standards—more miles and fewer emissions per gallon—would lead to greater economic and job growth, both within the auto industry and in the broader economy as a whole. This Ceres report focuses on the economic impacts of strengthening fuel economy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for passenger vehicles sold in the United States. The analysis finds that stronger standards—more miles and fewer emissions per gallon—would lead to greater economic and job growth, both within the auto industry and in the broader economy as a whole.

Report Fact Sheets


National Fact Sheet

State Fact Sheets

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2011-07-30T05:30:00Z Resource The 21st Century Electric Utility: Positioning for a Low-Carbon Future http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/the-21st-century-electric-utility-positioning-for-a-low-carbon-future-1 July 2010 - This report identifies five key elements of a 21st century electric utility business model and makes specific recommendations to utilities as they transition to a low-carbon future. It is by no means the final word on this complex and constantly evolving subject. Rather it is a starting point for utilities, policymakers, regulators, investors, analysts, and advocates to consider the utility decisions and behaviors best suited to helping us realize the energy future we all want – a future that, as the report says, “minimizes cost, risk and environmental impact, and maximizes opportunity, options and societal benefit.” July 2010 - This report identifies five key elements of a 21st century electric utility business model and makes specific recommendations to utilities as they transition to a low-carbon future. It is by no means the final word on this complex and constantly evolving subject. Rather it is a starting point for utilities, policymakers, regulators, investors, analysts, and advocates to consider the utility decisions and behaviors best suited to helping us realize the energy future we all want – a future that, as the report says, “minimizes cost, risk and environmental impact, and maximizes opportunity, options and societal benefit.”

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2010-07-27T18:40:00Z 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 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 Energy Efficiency and Real Estate: Opportunities for Investors http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/energy-efficiency-and-real-estate-opportunities-2009 December 2009 - This report outlines the business case that investing in energy efficiency enhanced value in real estate portfolios. The report concludes that, whether investors have direct control over the properties in their portfolio or not, taking steps to reduce energy use makes financial sense. The report lays out the steps investors can take to improve energy efficiency, and presents best practices for different types of investments. December 2009 - This report outlines the business case that investing in energy efficiency enhanced value in real estate portfolios. The report concludes that, whether investors have direct control over the properties in their portfolio or not, taking steps to reduce energy use makes financial sense. The report lays out the steps investors can take to improve energy efficiency, and presents best practices for different types of investments.

]]> No publisher boese.josh@gmail.com 2009-12-10T15:55:00Z Resource