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:
- Net Zero Portfolio commitments by endowments & foundations - list of publicly available Net Zero Portfolio commitments by endowments and foundations. If there are others not currently included on this list, please contact us.
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
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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
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Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance - IEN is a Supporting Partner of the Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance
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Paris Aligned Asset Owners (PAAO) - IEN members can now sign up to join PAAO to demonstrate their ambition to support the transition to net zero. This is an international group consisting of 57 asset owners with over $3.3 trillion in assets, who have made commitments to support the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner. As a North American signatory, you will: be supported by Ceres, receive tailored assistance, and gain full access to Ceres member benefits. If you would like to learn more, please reach out to Aicha Ly.
- Network for Greening the Financial System
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:
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IEN Q&A: Approaching Net Zero Strategies with a Racial Justice Lens, the Next Investment Frontier | IEN (June 2021)
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How Asset Managers and Industry Initiatives Can Help Endowments Reach Net Zero | Climate Action Pursuit session (June 2021)
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Equity Investing in Climate Solutions | NZAOA, Cambridge Associates, Clean Energy Ventures, Essex Investment Management (May 5, 2021)
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The Energy Transition: What, How, and Why It Matters | FFI Solutions, Carbon Tracker (April 20, 2021)
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Brown Bag Session: Investor Journey to Net-Zero: Understanding your Portfolio | MSCI (April 19, 2021)
- Choose Your Own Climate Future: En-ROADS Climate Simulator Workshop for Investors | MIT Sloan (March 2021)
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Net Zero Across Asset Classes | Climate Action Pursuit session (February 2021)
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What is a Net Zero or Net Positive Portfolio? Q&A with the Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance | Climate Action Pursuit session (February 2021)
- Net Zero Endowments: Making the Commitment | Climate Action Pursuit session (February 2021)
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The Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance | NZ Asset Owners Alliance, Zurich Insurance (October 2020)
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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
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Net Zero Investment Framework Implementation Guide | IIGCC, Paris Aligned Investment Initiative (March 2021)
- Target Setting Protocol Third Edition | Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance
Other Net Zero Resources
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Respecting Rights in Renewable Energy: Guidance to Address Uyghur Forced Labor Risks | Investor Alliance for Human Rights (January 2024)
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Measuring Portfolio Alignment - Technical Considerations | Portfolio Alignment Team (March 2022)
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JET Framework Microsite Home | Council for Inclusive Capitalism (2021)
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Investing for Climate Justice: An Intersectional Approach | Cambridge Associates (October 2021)
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Investing for a Net-Zero World: A Guide for Investors | Cambridge Associates (July 2021)
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Net Zero Endowments to Address the Climate Crises and Lead a Just Transition (Briefing Paper) | IEN (July 2021)
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“Emissions 360” climate pledge framework | Project Drawdown (June 2021)
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The Investor Climate Action Plans (ICAPs) Expectations Ladder and Guidance | The Investor Agenda (August 2023)
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The Investor Guide to Climate Collaboration: from COP26 to Net Zero | PRI (Mar. 2021) includes a list of initiatives, tools and resources related to net zero portfolios
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
Supporting Sponsors