Investors are increasingly aware that the 21st century economy will be shaped by powerful environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors such as climate change, population growth, energy demand and declining freshwater resources. Ceres’ Investor Water Hub, a working group of the Ceres Investor Network, undertakes activities that help drive greater consideration of water in investment decision-making
The Ceres’ Investor Water Hub offers peer-to-peer sharing of leading ESG and water integration and engagement practices. The Hub serves as a collective action forum dedicated to developing more effective research methods to assess water risks and opportunities. Investor Water Hub members are also exploring ideas that help drive investing in solutions that support sustainable water resources for generations to come.
Who can join?
The Investor Water Hub is open to asset owners and asset managers interested in the topic of water risk integration in investment decision-making. The Hub undertakes activities useful to members that help drive greater consideration of water in investment decision-making. The Hub engages actively with affiliated investment, NGO and water experts. Hub membership is open to all members of the Ceres Investor Network. Non-Investor Network members may be part of the Investor Water Hub for one year, after which firms will be requested to consider joining the larger Ceres Investor Network. Please contact Robin Miller at [email protected] if you are interested in joining.
How often does the Hub meet?
The group meets quarterly via conference call. Additionally, the Hub hosts investor-led peer learning sessions throughout the year. These “Speaker Series” webinars are a forum for members to share ESG and water-related practices, ideas, research and integration methods with the group. Special guests are also regularly invited to help the Hub gain a deeper understanding of specific ESG and water integration methods and issues.
Investor Water Toolkit and Ceres' Water Work
The Investor Water Toolkit is a recent project of the Hub and the first-ever comprehensive resource to evaluate and act on water risks in investment portfolios. This how-to guide includes links to resources, databases, case studies and other tools for equity, fixed income and private equity investors to use, from pension funds to endowments to asset managers. The Toolkit was developed in collaboration with more than 40 institutional investor Hub members and is the ultimate resource on water integration written for investors by investors. Other Ceres-affiliated resources and initiatives around water include: Learn more at www.ceres.org/investorwatertoolkit
- Ceres' Water Work
- An Investor Water Handbook for Water Risk Integration
- Connect the Drops
- Feeding Ourselves Thirsty: Tracking Food Companies Progress Toward a Water-Smart Future
- Aqua Gauge: A Comprehensive Assessment Tool for Evaluating Corporate Management of Water Risk
Governance of Group
Ceres’ Water and Investor Program staff guide the strategy and agenda of the Investor Water Hub with advice from an Advisory Committee of investors in addition to member input. The Advisory Committee meets semiannually and includes Breckinridge Capital Advisors, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility, Impax Asset Management, KBI Global Investors, Norges Bank Investment Management, PGGM, Principles for Responsible Investment, Sustainable Insight Capital Management, The Park Foundation, and University of California Regent.
