CalPERS to measure and disclose carbon footprint of investment portfolio

Subscribe to our newsletter and get the latest news and business opportunities in your inbox
CalPERS to measure and disclose carbon footprint of investment portfolio

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) has signed the Montreal Carbon Pledge, committing to measure and publicly disclose the carbon footprint of its investment portfolio.

The pledge was coordinated by the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) at their annual conference in Montreal, Quebec.

Priya Mathur, CalPERS Board of Administration Vice President stated:

Climate change represents risks and opportunities for a long-term investor like CalPERS. This pledge signifies our continued commitment to better understand our own footprint and help forge solutions to serious climate change issues. We call on other investors to join us in assessing the climate risk in their investment portfolios and using that knowledge and insight in their investment decision.

Mathur represented CalPERS at the PRI annual conference and will participate in an asset allocation session looking at how investors define their investment beliefs and how those beliefs impact the decision-making process.

The pledge commits CalPERS to mapping its carbon footprint in its investment portfolio, starting with equities, by December 2015. The System also commits to using the results of the mapping information to develop an engagement strategy and/or set portfolio carbon footprint reduction targets.

The pledge is aligned with CalPERS Investment Beliefs that state long-term value creation can be achieved by managing financial, physical, and human capital, which includes a strong understanding of climate risks and opportunities. CalPERS’ Beliefs help guide the Pension Fund’s work in engaging companies' managers on environmental practices and its advocacy role on environmental issues.

PRI is an initiative led by an international network of investors working together to put the six Principles for Responsible Investment into practice. Its goal is to understand the implications of sustainability for investors and support signatories to incorporate these issues into their investment decision-making and ownership practices.

CalPERS is the largest public pension fund in the U.S., with approximately $300 billion in assets.

List of country news

Country news

  • September 29, 2014

    First Wind begins construction on Maine wind power project

    First Wind, an independent U.S.-based renewable energy company, has began construction on the 148-MW Oakfield wind project in Maine, USA. Read more
  • October 01, 2014

    The Carlyle Group to acquire stake in six natural gas-fired power plants in Georgia

    Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group has announced it has agreed to acquire 75.05% of the outstanding interests and operational control of Southeast PowerGen, a portfolio of six natural gas-fired power plants in Georgia (USA), from ArcLight Capital Partners and GIC, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund. Read more
  • October 02, 2014

    Southern California Edison opens 32 MWh Tehachapi energy storage project

    Southern California Edison (SCE), the largest subsidiary of Edison International, has opened the 32 MWh Tehachapi Energy Storage project, which is the largest battery-based storage installation in North America. Read more
  • October 02, 2014

    Pennsylvania seeks private partner for compressed natural gas fuelling station project

    Pennsylvania’s Public-Private Partnership (P3) Board has approved a project seeking a private partner to develop clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations at public transit agencies. Read more
  • October 03, 2014

    Tenaska to develop LNG project in Louisiana

    Tenaska NG Fuels, LLC and Waller Marine, Inc. on Sept. 30th announced that they have agreed to develop, construct, own and operate Louisiana’s first natural gas liquefaction and fueling facility along the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Mississippi River corridor with access to the Gulf of Mexico. Read more

Share this news

Join us

In order to get full access to News section, you must have a full subscription. You can check all the benefits of becoming a member and purchase a subscription on our membership page.