Ceres Working Group on Land Use and Climate

As part of the Ceres Investor Network, the Land Use and Climate Working Group serves as a center of investor coordination and collaboration on climate and land use issues. It is comprised of four key areas with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius and protecting, improving and restoring forests and other key natural ecosystems.

WHAT WE DO

The 21st-century economy will be shaped by powerful environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors such as climate change, biodiversity loss, increased population growth, and energy demand. Global investors are increasingly aware that transitioning to a net-zero economy will require capital markets to integrate ESG factors into policies, investment decision-making, and business strategy in order to manage value at risk.

The working group offers peer-to-peer sharing about investment risks and opportunities, as well as best practices to integrate those risks in investment policies, strategies and engagement practices. Ceres organizes and provides educational opportunities to enhance investor understanding of climate change and land use, as well as provides thorough company research and strategic engagement support for individual and collaborative investor-company engagements. Members of the working group conduct and share research and best practices, grow their knowledge, and collaborate on efforts to address climate and land use issues.

The working group hosts activities to drive greater consideration of climate and land in investment decision-making, and works actively with global investors, NGOs, and industry experts to share the most up-to-date information on the topics.

The primary working group, inclusive of all working group members, meets quarterly. Specific topics such as deforestation or biodiversity have deep-dive sessions in between the quarterly meetings. As part of these quarterly meetings and topic-focused sessions, the working group hosts investor-led peer learning sessions throughout the year. These webinars are a forum for members to share ESG and climate and land-related practices, ideas, research, and integration methods. Special guests are also regularly invited to help the working group gain a deeper understanding of specific ESG and climate and land integration methods, issues, and opportunities.