About Us
We work to activate publicly-held capital as a force for advancing real world climate solutions and a more just and inclusive economy.
Climate change is a global crisis and requires a global response, but many of the most innovative solutions are found at the state and city level.
We invest deeply in community-based planning that brings organizations together to advance policies and strategies for impactful, durable climate finance solutions within public pension funds and other public investments. Serving as a trusted bridge between the finance, public administration, and union stakeholders, we seek to build the people-power capacity needed to address climate risk and recognize the opportunities in a green economy. That means demystifying the financial system, creating opportunities for stakeholders to have a voice and offering the tools and support for finding and pursuing the most effective policy levers for change.
Our “theory of change” is that by directly engaging key stakeholders, unions, and public leaders in creating a pathway for change, we can ensure that public funds not only hold companies accountable for a just transition but support a dramatic shift toward an economy that operates in favor of people and the planet.
With decades of experience in union organizing, coalition building and financial services, we are well positioned to provide education and strategy necessary to ensure financial decision makers use the tools they have to address the economic risk of the climate crisis.
Climate Finance Action is a women-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
“Working with Climate Finance Action has been extremely helpful in translating our climate risk management goals into practical opportunities for policy improvements and actionable steps for the Minnesota State Board of Investment. Their policy resources and guidance on stakeholder engagement are helping us make meaningful progress toward a resilient future for our public state pension plan and a dignified retirement for Minnesotan workers.”
— Julie Blaha, Minnesota Auditor
Our Values
Justice-Centered Climate Action
We recognize the interdependence of pension investing, climate change, and racial & economic justice, understanding that those most historically, systemically, and currently impacted by climate change and fossil fuel extraction possess essential knowledge about their community, experience, and priorities.
Workers and the Unions that Represent Them
Workers (and the unions that represent them) whose retirement funds make up public pension funds are essential voices at the table for determining the policies of those funds. We understand that fundamental change requires the leadership and involvement of the most impacted people. We value, recognize, and actively amplify the first-hand knowledge they have.
Meaningful Collaboration
We recognize the crucial role of trust and the need for intentional collaboration - equipping each stakeholder with the knowledge and resources necessary to contribute towards dismantling harmful financial systems and enabling key stakeholders to see themselves as welcomed, engaged agents of change.
Holistic Systemic Change
We recognize the holistic, complex, and systemic nature of climate finance issues and the movement we work in. We work with strategies from a systemic perspective and seek to create systems change, not simply tinker with a few pieces of it. We identify as a part of a larger ecosystem that aims to support the whole; we bring specific tools to offer other groups and openly receive expertise and various forms of support.
Our Impact
2023 Annual Report
We've been honored to work alongside a groundswell of investors—including pension boards, state treasurers, private companies, unions and stakeholders—who want to properly weigh the financial risks caused by a company’s policies, actions and inaction on climate.
It has been extremely rewarding to see the forward-thinking work done by state treasurers and other public officials and pension trustees. Work to manage the risks associated with climate change to their long-term investments. Work to use their shareholder power to influence companies that are the most significant drivers of climate change. Work to pressure asset managers to fulfill their climate commitments.
Download our 2023 Annual Report.