
Climate Finance Action Blog
Engagement Opportunities for Pension Fund Beneficiaries
Explore six examples of engagement that beneficiary groups can request from their fund. This is not an exhaustive list but rather intended to prompt groups to consider what form and function would be most effective and accessible for their fund.
Building an Effective Climate Risk Transition Plan for Pension Funds
Addressing physical and climate transition risks is essential to protecting long-term retirement, and that's why more resilient pension funds use science-based climate measurement tools and a 'transition readiness' approach to manage their risk. They equip the fund to better understand its portfolio's vulnerabilities and inform strategic investment decisions.
Total Portfolio Approach vs. Strategic Asset Allocation
What do sailing and pension investing have in common? A lot more than you’d think. This blog breaks down two major public fund strategies—Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) and the Total Portfolio Approach (TPA)—and explains why TPA offers the flexibility needed to respond to climate risk in real time.
The Oregonian: Protecting workers and building resilience
CFA Organizer and Policy Specialist Danielle Fox, along with SEIU 503 leaders Mike Powers and Steve Demarest, commend Oregon state leaders for moving public retirement fund investments away from fossil fuels in a letter to the editor of The Oregonian.
Op-Ed: A Win-Win for Oregon— Legislation that protects public workers and fosters economic growth
CFA Organizer and Policy Specialist Danielle Fox, along with SEIU 503 leaders Mike Powers and Steve Demarest, commend Oregon state leaders for moving public retirement fund investments away from fossil fuels. Read an excerpt
Why Climate Resilience Matters Just as Much as Numbers
When climate finance is reduced to pledges and performance metrics, we lose sight of its deeper purpose: protecting people and advancing justice. This blog challenges conventional approaches by arguing that climate finance must center the lived experiences of frontline communities, those who bear the brunt of climate impacts despite contributing the least to the crisis.
How Climate Disasters Threaten Social Cohesion and What Public Pension Funds Can Do
Climate disasters do more than damage infrastructure—they disrupt the social fabric that communities rely on, leading to increased loneliness, reduced social support, and declining mental health, especially among vulnerable groups. Social cohesion is essential for recovery, yet climate change puts these bonds at risk.
Baltimore Business Journal Op-Ed: New Md. pension fund strategy emphasizes social responsibility
CFA Founder and Executive Director, Mary Cerulli, contributed an op-ed to the Baltimore Business Journal published on June 20, 2025 titled, OpEd: Maryland pension fund adopts workforce principles for investments. Read an excerpt and continue reading on the Baltimore Business Journal website.
Who Are the Frontline Workers in the Climate and Public Pension Discourse?
When we hear the term "frontline workers," many of us picture hospital staff, grocery store employees, or sanitation crews, especially in times of crisis. However, in the context of climate change and public pensions, the frontline takes on a different meaning.
Three Boring Words and Why They Matter to Your Retirement
Indexes, benchmarks, and tracking error may sound dull, but they play a powerful role in shaping your pension’s performance and its climate impact. This blog breaks down what each term means, how they influence investment decisions, and why outdated metrics can quietly derail climate goals. Understanding these tools helps pension stakeholders ask smarter questions, demand transparency, and advocate for climate-responsible investing.
Welcome Back, Beverly Ortiz — CFA's Newest Advisor
Climate Finance Action is excited to welcome back Beverly Ortiz as an Advisor. A longtime organizer and former CFA Organizing Director, Beverly brings over 20 years of experience in labor and climate organizing.
Power Tools for Pension Transparency and Accountability on Climate
Discover how pension funds can manage climate risk with actionable tools for transparency, accountability, and engagement that protect retiree security. This post breaks down practical levers that help turn climate commitments into measurable impact. Learn how these tools not only safeguard long-term pension health, but also support a more equitable and sustainable economy.
The Mirror and Window: Pension Funds Need the Full Picture on Climate Risk
Traditional finance focuses on how the world impacts a company, but that’s only half the picture. This blog introduces the concept of double materiality, which also considers how companies impact the world around them. For public pension funds managing trillions in worker retirement savings, embracing this broader perspective is essential for safeguarding long-term value and confronting the climate crisis head-on.
CFA Joins Maryland Leaders to Spotlight Climate and Economic Resilience
This Earth Day (2025), CFA Executive Director Mary Cerulli joined Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, State Senator Katie Fry Hester, and Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo for a press conference where Comptroller Lierman announced the release of the latest report in her State Spending series titled Climate Change Costs.
CFA Published at NPQ: How Our Public Pension Dollars Can Advance Climate Justice
We’re thrilled to share that Climate Finance Action was recently published in Nonprofit Quarterly (NPQ)! The article explores the power of public pensions to drive real-world climate solutions and we’re honored to have our perspective featured in a platform that reaches so many change makers.
Navigating Climate Risk: How Private and Public Equity Impact Pension Funds
Private and public equity are vastly different regarding access, strategy, and regulation. But how do private and public equity relate to the role of public pension funds, and why is it important to think about both in the context of climate change? Let's explore this by using an analogy that clarifies the distinction: the exclusive club versus the community pool.
Six Ways Public Pension Funds Can Secure Long-Term Value for Workers
Public pension funds play a critical role in protecting the financial stability of millions of workers and their families, safeguarding their investments against emerging risks, and preserving long-term value. One of the most pressing and undeniable risks is climate change. Explore six changes that CFA recommends public pension funds pursue to secure long-term value for workers and beneficiaries while protecting them from the effects of climate change.
Climate Narrative Strategy: Three Ways to Get Clear on Your Approach
Narrative strategies help shape how issues are understood and acted upon and can empower unions to take bold action. For union leaders and members, crafting a compelling narrative is key to mobilizing support for climate-resilient policies, including worker safety and holding corporations and governments accountable.
Asset Managers vs. Asset Owners and Their Impact on Climate Action
Asset owners and managers are key players in the public pension system. Although these roles are often confused, understanding their differences is essential for effectively integrating climate action into investment strategies. Let's use an analogy to break down the definitions and explore why this is important for the public pension system and responsible investing.
Part 2: What Pension Funds Can Do to Protect Themselves and Advance Responsible Investing
With increasing federal and state-level challenges to responsible investing, pension funds must proactively defend their fiduciary duty and investment strategies. As regulatory oversight weakens and political attacks escalate, funds that fail to solidify their policies and engagement strategies risk losing control over their ability to manage long-term financial risks, particularly those tied to climate change. Keep reading to discover actionable strategies to ensure funds remain resilient and advance responsible investment practices despite shifting policies.