As companies, investors and policymakers gather in Paris for Climate Week to galvanize momentum ahead of a global deal at COP 21, investors have launched an online platform that for the first time will identify and record the wide range of actions on climate change being undertaken by the global investor community.
As companies, investors and policymakers gather in Paris for Climate Week to galvanize momentum ahead of a global deal at COP 21, investors have launched an online platform that for the first time will identify and record the wide range of actions on climate change being undertaken by the global investor community.
The Investor Platform for Climate Actions covers three primary action areas:
By showcasing the broad range of climate actions being undertaken by the investor community globally, investors are determined to encourage further initiatives and help drive momentum for an ambitious global climate deal in Paris in December.
Actions taken by investors will be central to tackling climate change and moving the world to a low carbon economy. This platform provides a single location for investors as well as the wider stakeholder community to identify how investors are helping accelerate the shift to a low carbon economy.
The launch of the platform follows the call last September to world leaders by more than 360 investors managing over $24 trillion in assets for a strong global climate deal.
The Investor Platform for Climate Actions is a joint project of IIGCC in Europe, Ceres’ Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR) in North America, IGCC in Australia/New Zealand, ASrIA’s Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC), PRI, CDP and UNEP FI.
The platform also enables the identification and recording of actions not falling within the three primary action areas, such as policy advocacy.
Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said:
“It is very encouraging to see key investor groups coordinate efforts and establish a joint platform for investor action. Ahead of the UN climate change conference in Paris, cities, regions, companies and investors must continue to increase their active participation in the global efforts toward a low emission, highly resilient world. Over the next 15 years some $90 trillion are likely to be invested in infrastructure world-wide. Investments that are de-risked and green will be crucial for ensuring we do not lock in a high emission future but instead unlock a healthy and prosperous one that delivers the twin aims of climate stability and reliable development for the poor and the needy”.
Stephanie Pfeifer, Chief Executive of IIGCC, said:
“From reducing emissions in their portfolios to investing in renewable energy and engaging with fossil fuel companies on climate change, investors are working hard for a low carbon transition. An ambitious global deal which sets a clear pathway towards a low carbon future would enable them to scale up these actions and go further.”
Chris Davis, Chief of Staff for Ceres' INCR, said:
“Investors around the world spoke loud and clear in September that there is strong ambition to finance the Clean Trillion - the additional trillion dollars per year that must be invested in clean energy in order to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. The steps many investors are taking today--as illustrated on this platform-- can be scaled up tremendously in the future with a strong global climate deal in place."
Nathan Fabian, Chief Executive, IGCC, said:
“The market for different investor responses to climate change is growing rapidly. This platform explains what investors are doing now, and invites them to innovate in future.”
Jessica Robinson, Chief Executive of ASrIA-AIGCC, said:
“Globally investors are taking significant action to support the transition to a low carbon and clean energy future. In Asia, this transition requires a radical change in how we define and drive growth, and understanding the role that investors play in achieving this is an important part of the solution. The Platform provides a unique tool for sharing knowledge and experience across the industry, something that can provide invaluable support to Asia-based investors as the region shifts its growth models.”
Fiona Reynolds, Managing Director of PRI, said:
“Increasingly, investors are looking for ways to use their financial muscle to effect action on climate change. By seeing the wide range of options available via the database, investors will be able to ramp up their climate activities ahead of COP21 in December.”
James Hulse, Head of Investor Initiatives, CDP, said:
“Investors are taking action to protect their investments by engaging with companies to shift to a low-carbon future and by re-allocating their capital directly. The new investor platform will help to coordinate and showcase those actions and send a strong message to companies and policy-makers ahead of COP 21. CDP believes that investor engagement is vital to ensure that the transition to a low carbon economy happens as quickly as possible.”
Eric Usher, acting Head UNEP FI, said:
“2015 is a critical year for the challenge of climate change. Institutional investors have not one, but two important roles to play. First, they need to amplify their call for serious and ambitious government action on climate change. But, to be credible, they also need to demonstrate their own leadership in moving to action, for instance through the Portfolio Decarbonization Coalition which is part of the broader platform we are launching today."
Notes to editors:
The regional climate investors groups will be hosting a webinar with Responsible Investor on June 10th at 3pm BST / 10am EST for investors to learn more about the strategies and solutions available for protecting portfolios against climate change and contributing to the low carbon economy. The webinar will use the recently published Climate Change Investment Solutions: A Guide for Asset Owners as the basis for discussion and learnings.
To register for the webinar please email MPauliukova@IIGCC.org
About Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (Europe)
The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) is a forum for collaboration on climate change for investors. IIGCC’s network includes over 100 members, with some of the largest pension funds and asset managers in Europe, representing €10trillion in assets. IIGCC’s mission is to provide investors a common voice to encourage public policies, investment practices and corporate behaviour which address long-term risks and opportunities associated with climate change. Please visit www.iigcc.org and follow @IIGCCnews for regular updates on our activities.
About Ceres’ Investor Network on Climate Risk (United States)
The Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR) is a North America-focused network of institutional investors dedicated to addressing the financial risks and investment opportunities posed by climate change and other sustainability challenges. INCR currently has more than 110 members representing over $13 trillion in assets. INCR is a project of Ceres, a non-profit advocate for sustainability leadership that mobilizes investors, companies and public interest groups to accelerate and expand the adoption of sustainable business practices and solutions to build a healthy global economy. Visit www.ceres.org
About Investors Group on Climate Change (Australia/New Zealand)
IGCC is a collaboration of 55 Australian and New Zealand institutional investors and advisors, managing approximately $1 trillion and focusing on the impact that climate change has on the financial value of investments. The IGCC aims to encourage government policies and investment practices that address the risks and opportunities of climate change, for the ultimate benefit of superannuants and unit holders. Visit www.igcc.org.au
About the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change
The Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC) is an initiative set up by the Association for Sustainable and Responsible Investment in Asia (ASrIA) to create awareness among Asia’s asset owners and financial institutions about the risks and opportunities associated with climate change and low carbon investing. AIGCC provides capacity for investors to share best practice and to collaborate on investment activity, credit analysis, risk management, engagement and policy. With a strong international profile and significant network, including pension, sovereign wealth funds insurance companies and fund managers, AIGCC represents the Asian voice in the evolving global discussions on climate change and the transition to a greener economy. Visit http://aigcc.asria.org
About the Principles for Responsible Investment
The United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Initiative is an international network of investors working together to put the six principles for responsible investment into practice. Its goal is to understand the implications of Environmental, Social and Governance issues (ESG) for investors and support signatories to incorporate these issues into their investment decision making and ownership practices. In implementing the principles, signatories contribute to the development of a more sustainable global financial system. Visit www.unpri.org.
About CDP
CDP, formerly Carbon Disclosure Project, is an international, not-for-profit organization providing the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information. CDP works with market forces, including 822 institutional investors with assets of US$95 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them. CDP now holds the largest collection globally of primary climate change, water and forest risk commodities information and puts these insights at the heart of strategic business, investment and policy decisions. Please follow us @CDP to find out more.
About UNEP FI
The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a unique partnership between UNEP and a global network of over 200 banks, insurers and investors from 51 countries. UNEP FI aims at creating an enabling environment for financial institutions to embed sustainable development policies into their operations, and its mission is to mainstream the integration of sustainability across the finance sector. It provides a neutral space to convene stakeholders and acts as a platform at the intersection between finance, science and policy. Visit www.unepfi.org