PRI in Person: Investors with $32 trillion publish their climate investment actions on new info platform

Investors with $32 trillion in assets have signed up to a new public disclosure platform called The Investor Agenda where they will state the actions they are taking to achieve the climate goals of the Paris Agreement. It aims to encourage action from other investors and governments by demonstrating what the world’s biggest institutions are doing.
The launch was made today (September 12) at the opening of the PRI in Person 2018 conference in San Francisco.
The Investor Agenda has been developed by some of the world’s largest sustainable finance lobby groups: The Asia Investor Group on Climate Change, CDP, Ceres, Investor Group on Climate Change, Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change, Principles for Responsible Investment and UNEP Finance Initiative. It will take the form of an annual report on action and climate outcomes by signatories on four areas: investment, corporate engagement, investor disclosure, and policy advocacy.
In the first report, 392 investors reported new information or committed to policy advocacy. 120 investors outline new and existing investments in low carbon and climate resilient portfolios, funds, strategies and assets.On policy advocacy, 345 institutional investors with US $30 trillion in assets have written to governments urging them to implement the Paris Agreement, notably by phasing out thermal coal power worldwide, investing more in the low-carbon transition and improving climate-related financial disclosures.
On corporate engagement, it lists 650 investors with US $87 trillion in assets that are backing the CDP’s environmental disclosure request; and 296 investors from 29 countries with US $31 trillion in assets that are signatories to Climate Action 100+, which is lobbying the world’s largest corporate greenhouse-gas emitters and to curb emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.
On investor disclosure, more than 60 investors that have committed to reporting in line with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) recommendations. Kristian Fok, Chief Investment Officer at Cbus, the Australian superannuation fund, said: “The Investor Agenda demonstrates the work of global investors to manage climate risk in existing portfolios and through new investment opportunities. As Australia’s leading pension fund for the built environment and a founding member of Climate Action 100+, Cbus understands the importance of a just transition.  We’re investing in a better future through green buildings, renewable energy opportunities, and are committed to Science-Based Targets and the TCFD.”