The climate crisis is not just about the environment. It's about your job, your retirement, and your future.
What We Do
Workers should have a say in how their pension funds are invested, and they can. Public pension funds hold nearly $6.5 trillion—a tremendous amount of money with the power to influence corporate decisions and push for smarter, more responsible investments. The way these funds are managed affects your retirement security and the economy we all depend on.
But here’s the problem: climate change is already disrupting the economy. Extreme weather, rising costs, and instability all impact workers—and ignoring these risks has already cost families billions. Some groups want to silence this conversation by calling it “political.” The truth is, failing to plan for climate risk is simply bad financial management.
At Climate Finance Action, we help workers, unions, and pension trustees understand and act on these issues. We partner with communities to demystify the financial system, build influence, and ensure pension funds reflect the values and long-term needs of the people they serve.
Your pension is your money. It should be invested to protect you, your family, and your future—and we’re here to help make that happen.
How We Support
Whether you're just starting in pension policy work or are already deeply engaged, we offer tailored support. Our workshops and resources can help you build the knowledge and confidence to leverage your influence. These are the most common ways we help, always co-developed to strengthen influence and engagement efforts—showing how CFA can be a resource.
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We help organize and facilitate discussions among public unions to assess fund status, identify shared interests, and build collective power for stronger engagement. This includes assisting with meeting and event planning for to assess collaboration opportunities.
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We provide concrete examples of policy solutions, criteria for what makes a given policy effective, and state-level examples for learning (e.g., corporate engagement strength, climate solutions supporting labor rights, and fund manager accountability).
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We help stakeholders navigate complex policy proposals by identifying key concerns, impacts, and engagement opportunities with fund boards and public officials. We also provide a confidential space for discussions before key policy decisions to address concerns and shape public comments or conversations.
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We offer tailored training, workshops, and resources to:
Demystify pension systems by mapping key players, decision timelines, and engagement pathways.
Translate complex policies and jargon to build confidence in advocating for pension fund strategies that mitigate risk and support an ethical transition to a more sustainable economy.
Navigate pension fund tools to protect retirement and climate futures, emphasizing individual influence and power.
Create educational and story-sharing spaces that connect finance decisions, retirement security, labor conditions, and the climate crisis—amplifying lived experiences for impactful organizing and engagement.
Your pension is more than a savings account. It's your future.
How We Put Our Support into Action
These examples highlight the tangible ways we equip workers and trustees with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to advocate for durable, more responsible pension fund decisions. Every step—whether understanding key levers, analyzing reports, or strategizing for action—helps build collective power for long-term financial and climate resilience.
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We’ve worked with trustees to emphasize their fiduciary duty in managing public pension funds and ensuring they are working toward mitigating climate risks. We also help them understand the intersection of climate change and financial stewardship, empowering them to advocate for responsible investments.
Sample Worksheets:
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We’ve partnered with locals to demystify pension systems and explore key levers for protecting retirement funds from climate risk while pursuing solutions. This includes workshops where we break down complex pension system structures, explain how workers can engage with them, and provide state-level examples.
Sample Worksheet:
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We bridge critical conversations on climate justice, finance, and worker rights, guiding leaders and members to align their pension fund strategies with broader social and environmental goals.
Sample Worksheet:
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We’ve helped locals unpack pension fund reports and explore key strategies for addressing climate risks within their pension systems. Our workshops prepared them to raise important questions and key points during labor stakeholder meetings.
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Resources
Explore resources to better understand how pension funds are used to fuel the climate crisis and the solutions to manage risk.
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Investing in Our Future
Explore this guide to gain the tools to understand, navigate, and leverage the financial system for meaningful change.
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State Developments
Explore capacity developments pension funds have made to expand their ability to manage systemic risks and opportunities.