Resources

Explore resources to better understand and limit climate risk for pension funds.

Understanding how the financial system contributes to the climate crisis and demanding it is part of the solution is one of the single most impactful things we can do.

Many stakeholders and community members are unfamiliar with the role that public capital can play as a lever in deterring climate catastrophe. Many are also unfamiliar with the very real and rising climate risk affecting pension funds and other public funds.

But public employees and community members are essential partners in ensuring that public funds both address the risks of climate change and drive toward a more sustainable economy.

That being said, pension funds represent the secure retirement for millions of workers and are not to be mucked about lightly. We create resources to help people understand how  pension funds are used to fuel the climate crisis and the solutions to manage risk.

We have trained over 1,000 advocates, students, stakeholders, and beneficiaries—explore resources or contact us to book a consultation.

Checklists, Summaries and Worksheets

  • Board and Influencer Mapping Handout and Worksheets For Trustees

    Gain insights on identifying the key individuals, opportunities, and relationships that will drive stronger policies and safeguard your fund. This guide also highlights practical power mapping techniques tailored for trustees to enhance their strategic influence. Download.

  • Discover eight questions to see if your fund is setting itself up for climate risk policy implementation and accountability.

    Checklist for Policy Implementation and Accountability

    When a pension fund improves its policies and principles to understand better and limit climate risk, it is setting itself up for much stronger long-term health, financial sustainability, and security of public workers’ retirement futures. Discover eight questions to see if your fund is setting itself up for climate risk policy implementation and accountability. Download.

  • Pension trustees are responsible for managing climate risk across the fund’s entire portfolio.

    Climate Risk and Fiduciary Duty (A Narrative Framing Tool)

    Pension trustees are responsible for managing climate risk across the fund’s entire portfolio. This falls within their fiduciary responsibility to ensure that decisions and actions are in the best financial interest of beneficiaries. Learn more about communicating the importance of managing climate risk with beneficiaries. Download.

  • Learn how pension committees with the expertise and resources to better understand systemic risks

    Committees that Build Stewardship Capacity

    Learn how pension committees with the expertise and resources to better understand systemic risks enable pension systems to effectively mitigate climate and equity risks, and promote corporate accountability for fund resilience and innovation. Explore fund examples and best practices. Download.

  • Explore six examples of engagement that beneficiary groups can request from their fund.

    Engagement Opportunities for Beneficiaries (Examples)

    Explore six examples of engagement that beneficiary groups can request from their fund. This is not an exhaustive list but rather intended to prompt groups to consider what form and function would be most effective and accessible for their fund. Download.

  • Learn how trustees can advocate for a climate risk-aware asset allocation strategy to protect workers' retirement futures.

    How to Strengthen a Fund’s Strategic Asset Allocation

    When pension boards and staff assess their risk exposure during "the year-end review," they set the stage for long-term financial stability and a successful transition to sustainable investments. Learn how trustees can advocate for a climate risk-aware asset allocation strategy to protect workers' retirement futures. Download.

  • This guide demonstrates key mapping phases.

    Mapping Board and Influencers to Build Power

    Discover tips for identifying the key people, places, conversations, connections, and shared interests for carving a path toward bolder policies and protections for your fund. This guide also demonstrates key power mapping phases. Download.

  • Menu for Change: 10 Policy Paths Pensions Can Take To Tackle Climate Risk

    Discover ten common ways your pension can better tackle the impact of climate risk and corporate unaccountability on the fund's health, including expanding climate risk analysis tools and scenarios, strengthening proxy voting, and establishing a formal ESG committee. Download.

  • Discover potential policy decision points pension funds can consider for addressing climate risk with a just transition lens.

    Opportunities for Climate Solutions Investments with a Just Transition Lens

    To make durable, equitable climate finance solutions a reality, it will take a coordinated concert of voices and stakeholders in the pension system to help educate and advocate. Discover potential policy decision points pension funds can consider for addressing climate risk with a just transition lens. Download.

  • Ensuring that your organizing approach aligns with your overall goals and resonates with your intended audience is key to making change.

    Organizing Worksheet: Checklist for Effective Tactics

    Ensuring that your organizing approach aligns with your overall goals and resonates with your intended audience is key to making change. Learn how to balance creativity with strategic thinking to enhance engagement efforts and produce more impactful results with these ten questions to help you focus on strategic engagement. Download.

  • Understanding Asset Manager Due Diligence

    Due Diligence should be included in the Investment Policy and shared with all parties responsible for investment decision-making. Explore benchmarks for consistent evaluation and ensure that your asset managers are using their shareholder power in ways that align with your fund's values and long-term goals. Download.

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