US SIF FORUM 2025: Key Takeaways for Sustainable Investors
Veris was proud to sponsor and participate in US SIF’s 2025 Forum, including the Capitol Hill Day and Member Day events. We believe US SIF serves as a vital hub for sustainable investment organizations and investors across the United States, offering special opportunities for collaboration, advocacy, and education.
As part of US SIF’s Capitol Hill Day event, Maya Zamir (Veris) Lane Spigner (Longwave Financial) Taylor Tondelli (Confluence Philanthropy) and Roraj Pradhananga (Veris) visited the office of Congressman George Latimer, Representative of the 16th district of New York. Photo credit: Lane Spigner.
Advocacy on Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill Day provided our firm’s delegation—including Karen Walls DeRochemont, Elena Ladygina, Maya Zamir, Michael Lent, Roraj Pradhananga, and several of our clients—an essential opportunity to engage directly with policymakers.
The Veris team met with Representatives from both sides of the aisle, including staff from the offices of Congressmen Chris Pappas and George Latimer, as well as Senators Cory Booker, Maggie Hassan, and Tom Tillis. Conversations focused on four core goals:
- Protecting clean energy tax credits
- Safeguarding shareholder rights
- Securing funding for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund
- Encouraging membership in the Sustainable Investment Caucus
While support for sustainable investment initiatives largely aligned with party affiliations, we noted productive bipartisan discussions, particularly regarding clean energy incentives. However, the passage of the 2025 tax bill – known as the One Beautiful Big Bill Act – means that several clean energy tax credits established under the Inflation Reduction Act will be ended or phased out, including the residential clean energy credit and the energy-efficient home improvement credit, and clean vehicle credits for new and used electric vehicles.¹
Nevertheless, we believe that the economics of clean energy are likely to continue to drive clean energy investments² despite the lack of tax incentives. On the CDFI Fund,³ our conversations with congressional offices reinforced the view that this issue continues to enjoy strong bipartisan support. The current draft of the 2026 appropriations bill released by the House Appropriations Committee proposes $276.6mm to the CDFI Fund, which is more than the president’s budget proposal of $134, but represents a $47.4mm reduction from 2025 appropriations,⁴ which will impact many CDFIs.
Engaging with Policymakers Matters
We believe clients and sustainable investors play a crucial role in influencing policy. We strongly encourage all constituents to contact their representatives to voice support for sustainable investing, including urging membership in the House Sustainable Investment Caucus, co-chaired by Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL) and Juan Vargas (D-CA).
Insights from the FORUM Conference
Investing to Address Climate Risks
Veris CIO, Roraj Pradhananga, spoke on a panel on “Battling Mother Nature – Climate & Physical Risks: Resilient Communities and Portfolios,” along with Charlie Donovan, Principal Economist, Impax Asset Management; Carling Hay, Head of Research and Product Development, Intercontinental Exchange; and Lucas Schoeppner, Director, Sustainable Investment Stewardship, Wespath Benefits and Investments.
Panelists Charlie Donovan (Impax), Carling Hay (Intercontinental Exchange), Roraj Pradhananga (Veris), and Lucas Schoeppner (Wespath) discussed the risks of climate change on communities and portfolios at the 2025 US SIF Forum. Photo credit: US SIF.
The panel delved into how investors are analyzing and pricing physical climate risks using relevant data and models, reducing climate risk beta in portfolios and alignment of physical climate risk with fiduciary duty of asset managers and owners. The panel emphasized the importance of directing climate risk data to benefit vulnerable communities, rather than solely benefiting insurance companies and other investors. The discussion also reinforced the critical role private markets play in creating impactful climate solutions that mitigate as well as help communities adapt to the physical risks of climate change.
Climate solutions and environment and a Just Transition are key focus areas for Veris’ clients. Investments in their portfolios like Ecosystem Integrity Fund and companies like Floodbase provide real-time flood monitoring and mapping technology to expand flood risk coverage and create new parametric flood insurance policies, which allow policyholders to customize payouts for specific storm surge levels with funds being available within days of an event to cover financial loss such as business interruption, crop and land loss and disaster response insurance. This is particularly important as insurance companies are pulling out states with high levels of mega climate events.
Embrace Data, Not Vibes
A memorable takeaway emphasized the importance of “data, not vibes” when assessing the clean energy sector. Despite policy challenges, the underlying data demonstrates robust and growing demand for renewable energy. For example, over 90% of new energy capacity built across the world in 2024 was clean, renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydropower.⁵ Global investments in renewables, low-emissions fuels, efficiency, and other clean energy technologies – are expected to reach a record $2.2 trillion in 2025.⁶
The Critical Role of Governance in ESG
There was increased emphasis on the “G” (Governance) in ESG investing, particularly with the rapid evolution of technologies such as AI. Concerns arose around governance gaps, with many company boards ill-prepared to manage risks and opportunities tied to rapid technological advancements. This underscores the urgent need for continuous education and enhanced governance frameworks.
Trends in Shareholder Engagement
Shareholder engagement faces uncertainty due to potential regulatory shifts by the SEC. Despite declining support percentages during the 2025 proxy season, many investors remain committed to proactive, direct dialogues with corporate boards, even amid the logistical challenges of virtual annual meetings.
The US-China Relationship and Clean Energy Transition
The growing tension between the US and China emerged as a significant topic, with a notable focus on China’s accelerating dominance in artificial intelligence and clean energy technologies. Investors were urged to closely monitor developments in China due to their potential for swift and substantial impacts on global markets. Speakers on multiple panels noted that China is now leading the world in terms of their investments in clean energy. In 2024, 1/3 of all clean energy investments globally came from China.⁷
Real-World Climate Impacts: Miami’s Experience
Jane Gilbert, Miami’s Chief Heat Officer, provided a stark illustration of climate change’s immediate economic and public health impacts. Rising temperatures—not just sea-level rise—pose significant risks through increased healthcare costs, lost productivity, and higher rates of respiratory illnesses. She emphasized the urgent need for collaborative urban planning and improved infrastructure, particularly for underserved communities. Health equity is a significant component of Veris’ Just Transition Investment framework.
Moving Forward Together
The 2025 US SIF Forum reinforced our commitment to sustainable investing, advocacy, and impactful action. Despite policy headwinds, most investors remain firm in their conviction on the financial and impact case of sustainable investments. Allocation to sustainable and impact investments are needed now more than ever. At Veris, we continue to align our approved investment strategies with these insights and encourage our clients to engage actively in advocating for sustainable policies. Together, we can advance our shared vision for a resilient, sustainable, and equitable future.
Disclaimer
The information above is provided for informational purposes only, represents only a summary of topics discussed, does not constitute investment advice, and solely reflects the views of the authors, which are subject to change without notice. Additionally, this document contains information derived from third party sources. Although we believe these third-party sources to be reliable, we make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information derived from such third-party sources and take no responsibility, therefore.
Although Veris has highlighted herein various initiatives relating to policy activism in which it has participated, no inference should be drawn as to the success or failure of such initiatives or the ultimate impact on the financial or impact results achieved by our clients.
