Stand.earth announces fossil fuel divestment of retirement funds

Stand.earth is pleased to announce its U.S. retirement funds are now fossil free.

The international environmental advocacy organization has worked closely with Carbon Collective to offer its U.S. employees a path to invest their retirement funds that aligns with the organization’s values. Stand’s current retirement assets total more than $2.8 million USD as of July 9, 2024. 

“As Stand.earth announces our commitment to invest our U.S. employees’ retirement funds in fossil-free funds, we recognize that a key sector of the divest-invest movement is driven by the longstanding and continuing leadership of climate organizations,” Stand.earth Associate Director of Climate Finance Amy Gray said. “We are proud to stand alongside other climate NGOs that are making the same commitment.” 

The Climate Center, Green America, Ecojustice and GreenFaith also now officially join the Global Divestment Database. Stand.earth calls on fellow climate organizations to announce their divestment from fossil fuels, and join the global total of over 1,630 institutions and over $40.76 trillion in assets. 

Zach Stein, CEO, Carbon Collective Investing, shared: “Being a fiduciary in 2024, is different than it was in 2004. With new risks on the horizon, like those posed by climate change, it is time for 401(k) fiduciaries to offer their employees simple ways to account for climate-related risks in their retirement savings. We are proud to be able to support Stand.Earth and many others diversify the investment philosophies in their fund lineups to reduce the risk of large losses. “

Green America, specifically, has always offered socially responsible options in its retirement plan allowing employees to invest fossil free. Green America’s endowment, which is larger, has been entirely fossil free since its inception.

“All NGO organizations should announce a commitment to divest from fossil fuels, as it is imperative to address how their retirement and pension funds and cash accounts are invested,” Gray said. “This movement is a powerful force for change and we need to have as many climate organizations as possible live up to the values we hold of ending the reign of fossil fuels by committing their own organizations to divestment.”

Stand.earth is an international environmental advocacy group which coordinates the Climate Safe Pensions Network, working to de-risk pension funds and accelerate investments in socially just and equitable climate solutions.

###