Ceres Conference 2017
Our opportunity to learn, share, and collaborate with our peers
We’re here in San Francisco to take part in the Ceres Conference. Ceres is an integral partner not only for us at Green Century, but for others as well. Whether they be members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), part of the investment community, or the corporate community, Ceres brings multiple parties together to help address some of the most critical environmental and social issues facing our world. Given the political and regulatory environment, opportunities for individuals and businesses working to protect and improve the environment are arguably more important now than ever before.
The conference, as with the many others we attend throughout the year, provides us with the opportunity to engage with our peers. Before the conference officially began, we were able to meet with other members of the Ceres Investor Network on Climate Risk and Sustainability. In addition to learning more about how we can collaborate with our peers on initiatives such as carbon risk disclosure, greenhouse gas reduction targets, food waste, and renewable energy procurement, the meeting also offered the opportunity for us to share the success we’ve accomplished through our Forest Protection Campaign as well as the progress we’ve made with regard to plant-based protein.
Through our work on both forest protection and plant-based protein we are addressing the critical issue of climate change. By curbing the rate of deforestation linked to the cultivation and production of commodities such as palm oil, we have successfully secured several zero-deforestation commitments from companies throughout the supply chain – one of which will help avoid 1.5 gigatons of carbon pollution between 2014 and 2020. It may come as a surprise to some, but deforestation accounts for nearly the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as the entire global transportation sector.
Plant-based protein is another issue area that we’ve seen gain traction through our company engagements. We are excited to hear from Jeremy Collier, founder of FAIRR (Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return), which has been a valuable partner in our work to eliminate the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture as well as our work around plant-based protein. Beyond Meat* founder and CEO, Ethan Brown, will also be speaking at the conference. Beyond Meat, and Tyson Foods* investment in the alternative protein producer, played an important role in our successful withdrawal of a shareholder proposal from Tyson regarding the risks associated with the increasing demand for plant-based proteins. You can read more about our conversation with Ethan and Chairman of the Board at Beyond Meat, Seth Goldman, to learn how the Los Angeles-based company is bringing plant-based protein into the mainstream and changing the way both consumers and the food industry think about meat here.
We know that there is plenty of work we at Green Century and our colleagues across the social, responsible, and impact (SRI) investing field can do to make a positive impact. We look forward to the days remaining at the conference and the opportunities we can identify for collaboration with our peers who are also interested in creating a more sustainable economy and world.
*Securities mentioned were not held in any of the portfolios of any of the Green Century Funds as of March 31, 2017. References to specific securities, which will change due to the ongoing management of the Funds, should not be construed as a recommendation by the Funds, their administrator, or their distributor.
Stocks will fluctuate in response to factors that may affect a single company, industry, sector, country, region, or market as a whole and may perform worse than the market. Foreign securities are subject to additional risks such as currency fluctuations, regional economic and political conditions, differences in accounting, and other unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers. Bonds are subject to risks including interest rate, credit, and inflation. The Funds’ environmental criteria limit the investments available to the Funds compared to mutual funds that do not use environmental criteria.
You should carefully consider the Funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. To obtain a Prospectus that contains this and other information about the Funds please click here, email info@greencentury.com, or call 1-800-934-7336. Please read the Prospectus carefully before investing.
This information has been prepared from sources believed reliable. The views expressed are as the date of publication and are those of the Advisor to the Funds.
The Green Century Funds are distributed by UMB Distribution Services, LLC. 4/17
