Insight
Signs of accelerating global warming make it clear that controlling man-made GHG emissions must be a priority if we are to limit the most disastrous impacts of climate change. The longer we wait to control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the more difficult and expensive our task will be, with devastating impacts on vulnerable communities.
ICCR’s Climate Crisis group works to identify climate challenges and opportunities facing the private sector. Investors collaborate to develop strategies to reduce corporate carbon footprints and accelerate an equitable and just transition to a green economy.
ICCR members seek to move companies in key industries to reduce their contributions to the greenhouse gas emissions that are responsible for climate change. We do this by pressing companies for a phasing out of fossil fuels, and a phasing in of low-carbon, renewable energy sources. We also engage the oil & gas sector on the need for transition planning for a 2degree C or less world.
A just transition to a decarbonized economy can address the interconnected issues of climate change, racial injustice, public health, and economic inequity. Investors believe the transition must create an inclusive, stakeholder-driven economy, where those most impacted by the transition — workers and local communities — are central in its design.
Current Initiatives:
Through a combination of dialogue and the filing shareholder resolutions, ICCR’s members are pressing companies to phase out of fossil fuels, and transition to low-carbon, renewable energy sources.
Our Impact
Norfolk Southern left its “clean coal” trade group
Duke set a goal to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050
of 2022 Paris-aligned climate lobbying resolutions were withdrawn for agreement.
of 2022 resolutions calling for adoption of science-based GHG targets were withdrawn for agreement.
Climate-focused resolutions won majority votes in 2023
Climate Change & Environmental Justice Staff Contacts
To learn more about our program, reach out to our staff:
Christina is responsible for strategic development and evaluation of investor actions in the areas of climate change and environmental justice.
Phone:212-870-2316
Email:cherman@iccr.org
Tracey is the campaign manager for ICCR’s work on Paris-aligned corporate climate lobbying.
Phone:(212) 870-2299
Email:trembert@iccr.org
Pedro works primarily on the Just Transition Campaign and provides some additional support for Climate Lobbying.
Phone:(212) 870-2317
Email:pglatz@iccr.org
Emmy provides support and conducts research for ICCR’s Methane, Just Transition, and Climate Lobbying campaigns.
Phone:212-870-2278
Email:ehammond@iccr.org
Climate Change & Environmental Justice Resources
Publications, blogs, investor statements, comment letters, webinar recordings and press releases related to investor action on climate change and environmental justice.
On January 18 and 19, 2023, ICCR hosted a Just Transition Roundtable to provide a forum for utility companies and a broad range of stakeholders to share their perspectives on a just and equitable energy transition. This report aims to document lessons learned through hosting the Roundtable as well as needs and recommendations shared by participants.
The need to reduce GHG emissions to limit warming and reach net zero by 2050 or sooner has never been more urgent yet climate progress has been hindered for decades by aggressive lobbying on the part of corporations (mainly in the oil & gas sector) and their trade associations. Because investors understand that corporate climate […]
A report from the Rainforest Action Network, BankTrack, the Indigenous Environmental Network, and others. Released in 2023
A policy publication from the Grantham Research Institute
A policy publication from the Grantham Research Institute
Expectations released by Royal London Asset Management.
This CERES report examines the climate-related risk management, governance and lobbying practices of S&P 100 companies. It finds that the nation’s largest publicly traded companies are increasingly lobbying for policies that will help the U.S. achieve its commitments under the Paris Agreement. However, very few are publicly reckoning with the role of their own trade associations […]
On July 28, 2022, a group of investors representing U.S. $131B in assets under management announced they sent a letter to the Directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (U.S. Chamber) calling on them to advocate for the public policies needed to bring greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emissions in line with Paris goals.
A report from the Investor Group on Climate Change
As long-term institutional investors we recognize that the global shift to net-zero requires an unprecedented economic transformation that will impact industries, jobs, and communities. We call on companies, investors, and policymakers to ensure this is a just transition that supports a racially and economically equitable, decarbonized economy by prioritizing “high-road” jobs, respect for human rights, […]
ICCR letter encouraging FERC to promote utility sector lobbying transparency. ICCR’s comments were submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on the Commission’s “Notice of Inquiry on Rate Recovery For Industry Associations And Utilities Engaged in Anti-Climate Advocacy Activities” (DOCKET RM22-5). Submitted in February of 2022 in response to FERC Questions 6, 7, and 9.
The World Benchmarking Alliance’s pilot Just Transition Assessment covers 180 companies across three sectors: 100 oil and gas companies, 50 electric utilities and 30 automotive manufacturers. These assessments look at the social elements of the companies’ transition to a low-carbon future. They are based on the companies’ publicly available disclosures, which are assessed against our […]