Ceres launches sustainability search tool for investors

Ceres has launched a search tool that enables investors to access water risk disclosures of companies across the United States and incorporate sustainability in their investment strategies more effectively.

The new SEC Sustainability Disclosure Search gives users access to disclosures in 4,500 U.S. companies’ annual filings covering water availability, scarcity, quality, pollution, regulation and innovation.

The filings are held by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the tool covers 10,000 filings from 2009 to 2015.

The search tool helps investors, companies, analysts and other stakeholders to understand how companies are measuring, managing and disclosing material water risks and opportunities.

New research from Ceres and CookESG, using the search tool, found that around 50 per cent of the 433 California-based companies in the Russell 3000 Index submitted disclosures relating to water risk.

Of the 433 firms, four water utilities provided the most detailed information, followed by two property developers working on water projects in California.

All 433 disclosures address the states ongoing drought issue and its impact on their firm.

Water risks has become a key issue for investors in recent years, with 75 water scarcity or water pollution resolutions being submitted with companies between 2011 and 2015.

Hundreds of resolutions have also been filed on water related topics including climate change, fracking and greenhouse gas emissions.

This new functionality is in addition to searches covering clean energy, climate change risks and energy efficiency.

Boston-based Ceres is a non-profit organisation advocating for sustainability leadership and seeks to mobilse investors, companies and public interest groups to accelerate and expand the adoption of sustainable business practices and solutions.