Ceres (organization)

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Ceres (pronounced "series") is a United States-wide network of investors, environmental organizations and other public interest groups working with companies and investors to address sustainability challenges such as global climate change.

Ceres' larger mission is to ensure that business and capital markets promote the well being of human society and the protection of the earth's biological systems and resources. Ceres advances its vision by bringing investors, environmental groups and other stakeholders together to compel companies and capital markets to incorporate environmental and social challenges into their day-to-day decision-making.

Since its founding, Ceres has:

Launched the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), now the de-facto international standard (used by over 850 companies) for corporate reporting on environmental, social and economic performance.

Persuaded dozens of companies to change their corporate policies. For instance, Ceres helped persuade Nike to become the first global apparel company to disclose the names and locations of its 700-plus contract factories worldwide in 2005, AIG in May 2006 becoming the first U.S. insurance company to tackle the financial challenges from global warming, and Dell Computer agreeing in June 2006 to support national legislation to require electronic product recycling and "takeback" programs.

Brought together 500 investor, Wall Street and corporate leaders at the United Nations in 2005 to address the growing financial risks and opportunities posed by climate change. The ground-breaking meeting included 28 U.S. and European investors approving a 10-point action plan seeking stronger analysis, disclosure and action from companies, Wall Street and regulators on climate change.

Launched and directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk, a group of more than 50 leading institutional investors with collective assets of over $4 trillion.

Published research reports to help investors understand the implications of global warming. Among those: an August 2006 report, From Risk to Opportunity: How Insurers Can Proactively and Profitably Manage Climate Change, and a March 2006 report, Corporate Governance and Climate Change: Making the Connection, which analyzed how 100 of the world's largest companies are addressing the business challenges from climate change.