Change the Rules of the Game http://www.ceres.org Companies and investors need clear policies that reward sustainability performance. our capital market structures are biased towards short-term financial performance. The lack of carbon-reducing regulations in the U.S. for example has allowed companies to emit greenhouse gases at no cost, thus rewarding big emitters and penalizing more efficient businesses. Far greater sustainability gains can be achieved if smart policies are adopted that send clear market signals encouraging clean solutions with a long-term perspective. daily 1 2010-10-14T20:54:56Z Insurer Climate Risk Disclosure Survey 2012 http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/naic-report This report summarizes responses from insurance companies to a survey on climate risk developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). In 2012 insurance regulators in California, New York and Washington required insurers that write in excess of $300 million in direct written premiums, and are licensed to operate in any of the three states, to disclose their climate-related risks using this survey. The aim of the survey and Ceres’ analysis of the responses is to provide regulators with substantive information about the risks to insurers posed by climate change, as well as steps insurers are taking in response to their understanding of climate change risks. This report summarizes responses from insurance companies to a survey on climate risk developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). In 2012 insurance regulators in California, New York and Washington required insurers that write in excess of $300 million in direct written premiums, and are licensed to operate in any of the three states, to disclose their climate-related risks using this survey. The aim of the survey and Ceres’ analysis of the responses is to provide regulators with substantive information about the risks to insurers posed by climate change, as well as steps insurers are taking in response to their understanding of climate change risks.

]]> No publisher Brian Sant 2013-03-06T18:35:00Z Resource Power Forward: Why the World’s Largest Companies are Investing in Renewable Energy http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/power-forward-why-the-world2019s-largest-companies-are-investing-in-renewable-energy This report shows that a majority of Fortune 100 companies have set a renewable energy commitment, a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction commitment or both. The trend is even stronger internationally, as more than two-thirds of Fortune’s Global 100 have set the same commitments. Large corporations are increasingly turning to renewable energy to power their operations. Companies are investing in renewable energy because it makes good business sense: renewable energy helps reduce long-term operating costs, diversify energy supply and hedge against market volatility in traditional fuel markets. It also enables companies to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals and demonstrate leadership on broader corporate sustainability and climate commitments.

This report shows that a majority of Fortune 100 companies have set a renewable energy commitment, a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction commitment or both. The trend is even stronger internationally, as more than two-thirds of Fortune’s Global 100 have set the same commitments.

Through two dozen interviews with Fortune and Global 100 executives and analysis of public disclosures, the report finds that clean energy practices are becoming standard procedures for some of the largest and most profitable companies in the world, including AT&T, DuPont, General Motors, HP, Sprint, and Walmart.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2012-12-10T08:00:00Z Resource Incorporating Environmental, Social and Governance Factors into Investing: A Survey of Investment Consultant Practices http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/incorporating-environmental-social-and-governance-factors-into-investing-a-survey-of-investment-consultant-practices This report shows that investment consultants retained by major asset owners such as pension funds, foundations and endowments have generally not considered environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) risks and opportunities as they advise their investor clients on their portfolios. A new Ceres report shows that investment consultants retained by major asset owners such as pension funds, foundations and endowments have generally not considered environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) risks and opportunities as they advise their investor clients on their portfolios. Of the 13 U.S. and international consulting firms surveyed for the report, few have developed expertise in ESG investing, fewer than half believe environmental and social factors can impact long-term financial risk and reward, and only one integrates ESG into its risk/return and asset allocation modeling.

The report, Integrating Environmental, Social and Governance Factors Into Investing: A Survey of Investment Consultant Practices, was prepared by the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), a group of 100 institutional investors with more than $10 trillion in assets under management, and the nonprofit group Ceres, which advocates for sustainable business and investment practices.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2012-10-05T07:00:00Z 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 Sustainable Extraction? An Analysis of SEC Disclosure by Major Oil & Gas Companies on Climate Risk and Deepwater Drilling Risk http://www.ceres.org/resources/reports/sustainable-extraction-an-analysis-of-sec-disclosure-by-major-oil-gas-companies-on-climate-risk-and-deepwater-drilling-risk Disclosure of material business risk is a core underpinning of the modern global economy’s health. A new report says that investors aren’t getting a clear picture from companies of just how deep the material risks are. This report, based on annual financial filings submitted in Q1 2011 by 10 of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, finds that companies making extensive capital investments related to climate change and deepwater drilling are failing to adequately disclose their substantial material risks in areas such as new regulations, adverse environmental impacts and water availability constraints.

Investors are looking for substantial improvement in these disclosures. The SEC’s guidance for disclosure does not yet require complete, and therefore completely accurate, assessment of companies’ climate or deepwater drilling performance or risks. This report contains detailed recommendations for improving both disclosure and performance.

]]> No publisher Megan Doherty 2012-08-02T11:55:00Z Resource