Today, with Giving Tuesday in the rear-view mirror, I’m writing to give my sincere thanks. The Ceres community came out in full force, ensuring that not a single penny of the matching funds on offer went to waste. Thank you!

You’ve heard a lot from us about the urgency of this moment and the incalculably high stakes for our climate. And I want to be sure you also hear about the impact of your support.

Thanks to your generosity: 

• Over the last 12 months, working with our international partners, Ceres has recruited 270 investors with a combined $60 trillion in assets under management to commit to aligning their investments with net zero by 2050 or sooner. This includes setting science-based interim targets for 2030, laying out comprehensive investor climate action plans, and reporting annually on their progress.

• In August, Ceres launched a new initiative to decarbonize 6 of the highest-emitting sectors of the economy, at a pace and scale commensurate with the climate crisis. Our Ambition 2030 initiative focuses on the electric power, food, oil and gas, steel, banking and transportation sectors, which together are responsible for up to 80% of global emissions.  

• In October, the Financial Stability Oversight Council released a seminal report identifying the systemic risks that climate change poses to the U.S. economy and financial markets. The report marks the first time that financial regulators have come together and united to outline their commitments to address climate risk. The commitments reflect 18 months of recommendations, engagement and advocacy by the Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets.

• This fall, Ceres mobilized more than 160 companies to sign a letter to members of Congress, urging U.S. lawmakers to approve critical climate investments and policies in the bipartisan infrastructure bill and in the Build Back Better budget reconciliation package. As recognition of our efforts, Ceres CEO & President Mindy Lubber was one of the few NGO leaders invited to attend President Biden's signing ceremony for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

These are just a few milestones from this year, thanks to the support of you and your fellow donors. Your generosity allows us to nimbly seize opportunities as they arise and respond rapidly to new developments—of which there have been many in 2021! 

The mission we share is nothing short of transforming the economy to build a just and sustainable future for people and the planet—for my daughter, for your loved ones, for future generations. And it truly means the world, John, to know you’re with us, at our side, every step of the way.

With my deepest gratitude, and my warmest holiday season wishes,

Barbara Seymour Director of Development Ceres