Uh, so my name is Julia Sheldon and this is me taking my first steps on the continent of Antarctica about three months ago. And I'm going to take you on a little journey as to how I got there and show you some photographs that I took along the way. I first must confess that I have a hard time separating my adventures in the world with my time inside these campus buildings here at Walkers where I have truly I feel like grown up alongside my students for these past 27 years and it's so great to see so many of ...

Group 1 - Mercury Insurance has appointed Steve Bennett as Senior Director of Climate and Catastrophe Science to lead a team focused on risk mitigation in property and casualty insurance [1][2] - The company aims to work collaboratively with homeowners, municipalities, and government to create more resilient and insurable risks in high-risk areas affected by climate change [2][4] - Mercury has successfully written more policies in areas where competitors have withdrawn, such as Paradise, CA, by implementing new zoning and construction standards for wildfire mitigation [3][4] Group 2 - The company emphasizes a science-based approach to risk management, encouraging customers to enhance their properties against catastrophic events in exchange for affordable coverage options [3][5] - Bennett brings over 30 years of experience in climate risk and effective risk management, previously co-founding Demex and serving on the faculty at the University of North Carolina [5] - Mercury's strategy includes analyzing geographical factors, building methods, and policy concentration to manage catastrophic risks more effectively, rather than excluding entire areas from coverage [4][5]

Core Insights - JPMorgan Chase has recognized the need for climate expertise in response to client demand for understanding climate change and its impact on business operations [5][6] - Sarah Kapnick, appointed as JPMorgan's global head of climate advisory, combines her background in climate science with economic insights to guide clients in navigating climate-related risks and opportunities [4][6] Group 1: Role and Importance of Climate Advisory - The role of climate advisory is distinct from that of a chief sustainability officer, focusing on integrating climate science with economic implications for businesses [6] - Clients seek frameworks for strategic thinking about climate change, including its effects on operations, diversification, and long-term business plans [5][6] Group 2: Practical Applications for Investors - Investors are making decisions based on climate-related information, such as assessing wildfire risks and adapting infrastructure investments accordingly [9][10] - The advisory role includes providing insights on evolving regulations and data usage to help clients prepare for future uncertainties [7][10] Group 3: Data Challenges and Adaptation - The reduction of government data availability due to budget cuts has prompted a shift towards private sector data sources, leading to an adjustment period for clients [12][13] - Companies are increasingly building in-house teams to assess climate data credibility and guide decision-making processes [13] Group 4: Urgency of Climate Change - Climate change is presented as an immediate risk affecting financial outcomes today, rather than a distant future concern [14]

Core Insights - Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. published its 2024 Sustainability Report and Climate Change Report, emphasizing its commitment to integrating ESG considerations into its operations and decision-making processes [1][2] Sustainability Report Highlights - The 2024 Sustainability Report provides a comprehensive review of Wheaton's performance in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics, including updates on its ESG strategy, targets, and commitments [3] - The report indicates that 100% of new streaming agreements in 2024 were screened for ESG issues and risks [7] - Wheaton has contributed over $53 million globally since 2009 through its Community Investment Programs, with more than $8.5 million allocated to charitable causes in 2024 [7] Climate Change Report Highlights - The 2024 Climate Change Report outlines how Wheaton is addressing climate change risks and opportunities, as well as potential climate-related impacts [4] - The company refreshed its climate scenario analysis to support ongoing assessment and management of climate risks [7] - A gap analysis was completed against the International Sustainability Standards Board's S2 standard, leading to updates in the Climate Change Report [7] Standards and Recognition - Wheaton's reports are informed by GRI Standards and SASB Asset Management, and Metals and Mining Standard, as well as the IFRS S2 Climate-Related Disclosures Standard [5] - The company has received top ratings in ESG from various agencies, including Sustainalytics and MSCI, and is recognized among Corporate Knights' most sustainable corporations [7] Governance and Diversity - 50% of Wheaton's board members represent diverse backgrounds, including women and visible minorities [7] - 86% of 2023 Scope 3 financed emissions are covered by emissions reduction targets aligned with a 2°C or less scenario [7]

Core Insights - Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated that tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have not affected the company's sales or average selling prices, with no significant price increases observed [2][4] - Shareholders rejected all eight proposals during the annual meeting, which included topics on climate change, AI oversight, and corporate governance [4][5] - Amazon will disclose detailed voting results in a securities filing [5] Group 1: Sales and Pricing - Jassy emphasized that with 2 million sellers, pricing actions vary, leading to no uniform price changes across the platform [2] - The company has not experienced meaningful average selling price increases despite the tariffs [2] Group 2: AI Investments - Jassy confirmed that Amazon has no plans to reduce its AI investments, countering reports suggesting otherwise [3] - Changes in data center deployments are attributed to timing rather than a reduction in overall investment [4] Group 3: Shareholder Proposals - All eight shareholder proposals were vetoed, including requests for reports on climate-related risks, advertising practices, and warehouse working conditions [4][7] - Shareholders re-elected all 12 board nominees and approved the executive compensation plan [5]

Core Points - The PG&E Corporation Foundation is launching the Better Together Nature Positive Innovation Grant program, offering a total of $500,000 in grants for environmental stewardship initiatives [1][3] - Five regional grants of $100,000 each will be awarded to projects focused on air quality, land, and water stewardship within PG&E's service area [2][8] - The program aims to support innovative solutions to environmental challenges and prioritize projects that benefit disadvantaged and vulnerable communities [6][7] Grant Details - Eligible applicants include government organizations, educational institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations [8] - The application deadline for the grants is July 18, 2025 [8] - The grants are funded by PG&E shareholders, not customers, emphasizing the company's commitment to community investment [3][4] Community Impact - The program encourages local collaboration and aims to share successful strategies publicly to foster sustainable habitats [4][7] - Previous grant recipients have included organizations like Kitchen Table Advisors, which supports small-scale regenerative farmers, and the El Dorado Fire Safe Council, which aids vulnerable populations in wildfire resilience [5]

Shell plc (SHEL) is under intensifying legal scrutiny as environmental organization Milieudefensie, the Dutch branch of Friends of the Earth, announces fresh legal action. The NGO, based in Netherlands, claims that by investing in new oil and gas projects despite a previous court decision requiring emissions reductions, the integrated oil and gas company violated its duty of care under Dutch law. This case could escalate tensions between fossil fuel corporations and climate activists pressing for stricter a ...

Core Viewpoint - WuXi Biologics has been recognized by CDP for its leadership in climate change disclosure and performance, achieving an "A-" score for the second consecutive year, highlighting its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship [1][2][4]. Company Achievements - WuXi Biologics has adopted an integrated strategy to address climate change, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050 and achieving a 30% reduction in GHG emission intensity from 2020 levels in 2024 [3]. - The company has received multiple accolades for its sustainability efforts, including an MSCI AAA Rating, EcoVadis Platinum Medal, and inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for two consecutive years [4]. Environmental Initiatives - WuXi Biologics is committed to the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) and actively pursues energy-saving initiatives, including process optimization and infrastructure upgrades [3]. - The company has achieved a 100% renewable electricity supply at its Ireland site and is deploying rooftop photovoltaic power projects [3]. Industry Context - CDP serves as a global standard for corporate environmental reporting, with nearly 25,000 companies reporting their environmental data in 2024, representing two-thirds of the global market value [2]. - The recognition from CDP is significant as it influences investment and procurement decisions towards a sustainable economy [2].

G42, JBA Risk Management, Spire Among First to Adopt NVIDIA Omniverse Blueprint for Earth-2 Weather Analytics NVIDIA Earth-2 NVIDIA Omniverse Blueprints for Earth-2 weather analytics make it easier for climate tech and weather companies to develop high-resolution, accurate weather-forecasting solutions. SAN JOSE, Calif., March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GTC -- NVIDIA today announced the NVIDIA Omniverse Blueprint for Earth-2 weather analytics to accelerate the development of more accurate weather forec ...