Ceres President and CEO Mindy Lubber used remarks at Climate Week NYC 2025 to frame climate change and related sustainability challenges as material financial risks for capital markets and to argue that investors and companies should continue integrating climate considerations into decision-making despite growing political and policy pushback. Lubber pointed to rising climate-related losses, citing USD 182 billion in US economic damages in 2024 and USD 93 billion already in 2025, while highlighting projected investment momentum with global clean energy and grid spending expected to reach USD 2.2 trillion in 2025, around twice the level anticipated for fossil fuels. She described headwinds including claims that climate action breaches fiduciary duty, a shift in US federal public policy that actively opposes climate solutions, hundreds of state bills aimed at restricting asset owners from considering climate risk, and recent congressional proposals that would limit shareholders’ ability to file resolutions and engage with companies. The speech also cited corporate and investor support as instrumental in securing an extension of California’s cap-and-trade programme.
Ceres 2025-09-24
Ceres CEO urges investors to defend climate risk management amid US policy headwinds
Ceres President and CEO Mindy Lubber emphasized climate change as a material financial risk at Climate Week NYC 2025, urging continued integration of climate considerations despite political resistance. She noted significant climate-related economic damages and projected global clean energy investments of USD 2.2 trillion in 2025. Lubber also addressed challenges like claims against fiduciary duty, restrictive state bills, and congressional proposals limiting shareholder engagement.