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Investments in the bipartisan infrastructure bill are critical to addressing the climate crisis

US SIF statement on the enactment of the bipartisan infrastructure law.

Congress must pass the Build Back Better bill to tackle climate change and advance environmental justice


WASHINGTON, November 15, 2021 – US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment applauds President Biden and Congress on enacting the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act today, which makes important investments to address the climate crisis.

Lisa Woll, CEO of US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment, made the following statement:

“We are pleased that President Biden and Congress came together to enact the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which makes vital investments in clean energy, energy infrastructure and environmental justice.

“The climate crisis is a defining issue of our time and requires action from government and the private sector. Addressing climate change—through shareowner engagement and portfolio construction-- has been a priority of sustainable investors for decades.  In 2020, climate change was the most important specific ESG issue considered by money managers in asset-weighted terms, according to the US Foundation's 2020 Report on US Sustainable and Impact Investing Trends.

“The nation's infrastructure, from roads and bridges to schools and the electric power grid, is in urgent need of an upgrade.  The law will rebuild parts of US infrastructure, including prioritizing carbon mitigation and climate resilience.

“The law invests in clean energy technology that will expand electric vehicle charging stations, allow for historic investments in public transit and modernize the nation's transmission grid to facilitate greater use of renewable energy.

“The law takes important steps to address environmental justice with investments to clean up legacy pollution sites that disproportionately affect Black and minority communities.

“We call on Congress to pass the Build Back Better reconciliation legislation.”

US SIF recently wrote congressional leadership asking that a range of climate policy recommendations be included in the Build Back Better bill.   US SIF's broader policy recommendations to the Biden Administration are found in Toward a Just and Sustainable Economy.

About US SIF and the US SIF Foundation

US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment is the leading voice advancing sustainable and impact investing across all asset classes. Its mission is to rapidly shift investment practices toward sustainability, focusing on long-term investment and the generation of positive social and environmental impacts. US SIF members include investment management and advisory firms, mutual fund companies, asset owners, research firms, financial planners and advisors, community investing organizations and nonprofit associations.

 

US SIF is supported in its work by the US SIF Foundation, a 501(C)(3) organization that undertakes educational and research activities to advance the mission of US SIF.

Learn more at ussif.org.

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