Ceres CEO Mindy Lubber testified in support of legislation to create a climate bank in Massachusetts, which would leverage public and private investments to provide low-interest loans and financial products for climate mitigation and clean energy projects. The proposed bank follows a model used by 40 other state and local climate banks in the US, collectively investing $10.6 billion in clean energy projects in 2023. Lubber recommended prioritizing environmental justice communities for lending, in addition to rural and coastal communities, in order to combat climate change effectively.
Author: Ceres
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Ceres applauds launch of Tropical Forest Forever Facility, urges more government and private sector support
The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) was launched at COP30 Leader's Summit with $5.5 billion in investment commitments to protect tropical forests, aiming to safeguard over 1 billion hectares by paying nations to keep them standing. Endorsed by 34 tropical forest countries, the fund mandates at least 20% of payments go to Indigenous Peoples and local communities, using a blended finance model to generate returns for investors and create an enabling environment for companies to close supply chain gaps. Ceres will release a report analyzing corporate progress on deforestation and offering pathways for business action in at-risk sectors.