Data from non-profit sustainability-focused organisation Ceres found that the top 50 North American investors are continuing with climate action quietly.

The research analysed 2025 public disclosures and communications of the top 50 investors based in North America, finding that participants continue to prioritise investment focused on climate financial risks and assessing climate impact despite anti-ESG sentiment roiling in the US.

Kaede Kawauchi, author of the report and director of the Ceres Investor Network at Ceres, stated: “When we measure investor climate action by looking at how capital is being allocated, governed, and managed, the takeaway from our analysis is clear – the majority of North American investors are forging ahead on climate. Indeed, we found, by their own disclosures, almost three quarters (74%) of investors in our report are assessing climate-related financial risks and investing in climate solutions.”

According to the data, 72% of investors engage portfolio companies on issues related to climate and 52% of investors take nature and water-related risks into account in their investment practices.

The report outlined four key areas that investors were prioritising: disciplined risk management practices, capital allocation to climate solutions, enagegment strategies to reduce real-economy emissions, and strategic prioritisation of water and nature impacts.

Investors are continuing to consider climate risks such as wildfires, floodings, extreme heat, and the need for sustainable and renewable energy.

“Our report can serve as a practical tool for investors, policymakers, and regulators to track the pace and direction of climate action, identify hurdles for scaling action, and pinpoint where more action could unlock further progress” commented Cynthia McHale, Vice President of the Ceres Investor Network at Ceres.

The findings indicate that ‘soft sustainability’ is being practiced among US investors – where sustainable and ESG priorities are practised but not publicised as they were before the Trump administration initiated anti-ESG laws and pulled out of climate change-focused organisations.