Net Zero Endowments Initiative

Net Zero Portfolios are an effective and powerful way for investors to reduce risks associated with climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy.  They also accelerate corporate climate action to reduce systemic risk for all investors and to protect current and future generations from climate impacts. 

A commitment to Net Zero means committing to transition the investment portfolio to net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 consistent with a maximum temperature rise of 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures, taking into account the best available scientific knowledge including the findings of the IPCC, and regularly reporting on progress, including establishing intermediate targets every five years in line with Paris Agreement Article 4.9. 

Social equity is central to the need to address the climate crisis.  Marginalized communities, disproportionately Communities of Color, are often the most vulnerable to climate impacts.  To ensure an equitable and just transition, climate solutions must be viewed from a holistic perspective to ensure all communities are protected and have opportunities to benefit from the wealth generated in creating a new economy.   

IEN convenes and supports endowments in learning about Net Zero Portfolios, making commitments, and participating in shareholder engagement efforts to get portfolio companies onto decarbonization pathways aligned with the 1.5 degree C warming target of the Paris Climate Agreement.  

If you or your organization would like to learn more or participate in our initiative, please contact Georges Dyer at [email protected]. We also invite current and prospective participants to fill out this brief form.

 

Net Zero Endowments Leadership Committee

The Net Zero Endowments Leadership Committee is a group of professionals that act in an advisory capacity to IEN's Net Zero Initiatives. Members represent endowments, investment managers, investment consultants, OCIOs, and nonprofit sustainable investing initiatives. The Leadership Committee meets regularly to share their expertise and insights and set the priorities for the initiative.

 

Net Zero Commitments by Endowments: 

 

Climate Justice Taskforce

IEN's Climate Justice Taskforce is a group dedicated to advancing a just transition to sustainability. This Taskforce is supporting the development of a new IEN project titled "Leading with Justice 2.0" - resources focused on how allocators can impactfully advance climate justice through mindset & capital, engaging with, empowering & learning from frontline communities. 

 

Investing in Climate Solutions

  • 2024 Webinar Series -- join us for 45 minute discussions, approximately monthly, hosted by managers and other service providers sharing market views on opportunities to invest in climate solutions

Net Zero Groups and Initiatives

 

IEN Net Zero Endowments Briefing Paper

 

Briefing Paper: Net Zero Endowments to Address the Climate Crises and Lead a Just Transition | IEN (July 2021)

This briefing paper provides endowment decision-makers and their service providers with an introductory, high-level overview of net zero portfolio commitments. It provides clarity on what it means to have a net zero commitment, and what making and implementing such a commitment entails. 

 

 

IEN Leading with Justice Paper

Leading with Justice: Net Zero Investing & Conversations on Climate Justice | IEN and GEM (February 2022)

This paper is a result of the efforts by a subcommittee of IEN's Net Zero Endowments Leadership Committee to explore climate justice and aims to do three things: provide a background and working definition of climate justice; argue that climate justice is central to reaching net-zero goals; and provide practical methods to implementing climate justice. 

 

 

Net Zero Endowments Roadmap 

   

Net Zero Endowments Roadmap | IEN (May 2024)

This paper, developed with support from IEN's Net Zero Endowments Leadership Committee, is guide for endowments in making and implementing net zero portfolio commitments. It provides a high-level overview, including examples & thought leadership from the field for further guidance on best practices on each aspect of the net zero journey. 

 

 

Sampling of other IEN Net Zero Endowment activities: 

  • The Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance | NZ Asset Owners Alliance, Zurich Insurance (October 2020) 

  • Introductory roundtable conversation on Harvard’s Net Zero Commitment with endowments totaling over $95 billion in assets (held under Chatham House Rule, no recording available) (July 2020)

 

Key Frameworks & Protocols

 

Other Net Zero Resources 

For more Net Zero Resources, visit our archives.

Investors committing to net zero are proactively positioning their portfolios for a rapid transition to a low-carbon economy.  As the cost of clean alternatives to fossil fuels declines and consumers increasingly recognize the need to shift, carbon-intensive companies risk losing value, and fossil fuel companies that are not leading a just transition risk stranding assets.  Further, research from the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) on the Inevitable Policy Response forecasts that governments will implement a climate-policy response by 2025 that will be “forceful, abrupt, and disorderly because of the delay.” 

The September 2020 report from the Commodity Futures Trading Commissions (CFTC) titled Managing Climate Risks to the US Financial System underscored the risks associated with climate change to the financial system, the economy, and investors.  Its top recommendation was for Congress to establish a price on carbon. It also found that:

“the financial system can itself be a catalyst for investments that accelerate economic resilience and the transition to a net-zero emissions economy. Financial innovations, in the form of new financial products, services, and technologies, can help the U.S. economy better manage climate risk and help channel more capital into technologies essential for the transition.” 

Endowments and other asset owners have a critical role to play by proactively pursuing net-zero portfolio -- to protect their capital, reduce systemic risk, and minimize the damage and suffering of climate impacts.  

 

This initiative is generously supported by:

 

Lead Sponsors

 

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Supporting Sponsors

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