On January 14, as a member of INCR, FFC Executive Director Connie Brookes attended the UN Investor Summit on Climate Risk. INCR is the Investor Network on Climate Risk and promotes better understanding of the financial risks and investment opportunities posed by climate change. FFC is one of 80 members, which include asset managers, state and city treasurers and comptrollers, public and labor pension funds and foundations.

A high point of the Investor Summit was the release of a statement by investors, including FFC, calling on the U.S. and other governments to move quickly to adopt strong national climate policies that will spur low-carbon investments to reduce emissions causing climate change. The press release from Ceres noted comments from two conference attendees. Anne Arausboll, CEO of the CA Public Employees Retirement system (CalPERS) noted that “Investors are poised and ready to scale up investments in building the low carbon economy, but without policies that create a stable investment environment our hands are tied. U.S. leadership is critical in this regard, including U.S. Senate action to limit and put a price on carbon emissions.” Kevin Parker, global head of Deutsche Asset Management added that “What investors need most from national and state legislatures are transparency, longevity and certainty. Until the U.S. Congress passes climate regulation, America will be at a competitive disadvantage in the development of renewable energy and other climate change industries.”