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IIGCC AGM 2025: Navigating the transition

We invite you to join us for our 2025 AGM.
IIGCC AGM 2025: Navigating the transition

Date and time

Tuesday, 2 December 2025 10:30 GMT

About this event

2025 has seen investors navigate the integration of climate change into investment processes in a much more complex geopolitical and economic reality. Alongside net zero and the energy transition, nature, adaptation and resilience and an evolving regulatory landscape present new challenges and opportunities. Capital mobilisation to support the transition remains core to conversations. 

Following COP30 in Belém, our AGM offers a chance to reflect on progress, explore bold ideas, and align on priorities for 2026 and beyond.

We hope you can join us!

The day will feature keynote addresses, fireside chats, idea exchanges and snapshot briefings, alongside numerous networking opportunities. These sessions are designed to inform, challenge, and inspire.

The event will explore themes aligned with IIGCC’s four strategic priorities: net zero, adaptation and resilience, emerging markets and developing economies, and nature where it intersects with climate. 

Join us in person or virtually. 

Location

In person: 11 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN 

Online: Lumi platform. Log-in details will be shared via IIGCC@lumiengage.com 

Who can attend

Places are reserved for IIGCC members. If you are interested in becoming an IIGCC member, please contact info@iigcc.org

Interested in sponsorship?

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please reach out to Calum Stephens for further details. 

We have a variety of sponsorship packages available for all our flagship events,  and would be happy to discuss them with you in more detail. 

Event agenda

10:30 - 10:50
Guest arrivals & refreshments
10:55 - 11:25
Welcome and reflections on 2025

Welcome to the AGM and reflections on achievements in 2025, as well as a look ahead to key priorities for 2026. This will include some time for AGM business, including an update on finances and a vote on the re-appointment of auditors. 

Speakers: 

  • Faith Ward – Chair of the Board, IIGCC
  • Stephanie Pfeifer – CEO, IIGCC
  • Ian Simm –Treasurer of the Board, IIGCC 
11:30 – 12:05
Fireside chat: Tackling nature loss

A frank and honest conversation about the financial, economic, and systemic implications of failing to address nature loss. The session will explore why companies are slow to recognise the financial materiality of nature-related risks and identify practical steps to drive meaningful progress. 

Speakers: 

  • Nicola Ranger, Professor at The Grantham Institute on Climate Change and the Environment 
  • Peter Taylor, Corporate Programme Director, IIGCC
12:05 - 12:15
Video remarks

Speaker: 

  • Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth
12:15 - 13:00
Lunch
13:05 – 13:35
Snapshot briefing: Crossroads of climate litigation

An expert-led briefing on the polarisation of climate-related legal developments across the globe. The session will explore key cases from the past year and their implications for investors. 

Speakers: 

  • Catherine Higham – Senior Policy Fellow (Climate Change Laws of the World), London School of Economics and Political Science, and co-author of 2025 Global Trends in Climate Litigation Snapshot
  • Moderator: Jane Murray – General Counsel, IIGCC
13:35 – 14:20
Idea exchange: Unlocking resilience investments

This idea exchange is focused on a central premise and question: Despite growing physical climate risks, investment in resilience is not often explicitly rewarded. Why is this and what needs to change?

This session invites speakers from across the investment value chain to pitch bold ideas that could unlock resilience investments and shift market behaviour. 

Speakers include:  

  • Andy Bord, Chief Executive and Executive Director to the Railpen Board
  • Alex Kennedy, Managing Director at Standard Chartered
  • Andrew Forsyth, Head of Climate and Sustainability at Zurich Resilience Services
  • Moderator: Valentina Ramirez, Head of Climate Strategy Implementation at IIGCC 
14:20 – 14:50
Break with refreshments
14:55 - 15:00
Video remarks

Speaker: 

  • Lars Aagaard, Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Denmark
15:00 – 15:10
Snapshot briefing: Advocating for progressive climate policies against a challenging backdrop

An update on IIGCC’s policy advocacy milestones in 2025 and priorities for the year ahead. 

Speaker:

  • Emily Murrell – Policy Programme Director, IIGCC 
15:15 - 15:45
Guest keynote: Dr James Richardson

A keynote address focused on capital mobilisation to support the net zero transition. 

Speaker:

  • Dr James Richardson, Chief Economist at the Climate Change Committee 

Followed by live Q&A with IIGCC

15:45-15:55
Closing remarks

Speaker:

  • Faith Ward - Chair of the Board, IIGCC
  • Stephanie Pfeifer – CEO, IIGCC 

16:00 – 16:55
Drinks reception
We welcome you to join our drinks reception.

Register for this event

Register

Event speakers

Lars Aagaard

Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Denmark
Lars Aagaard serves as Denmark’s Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities since December 2022. He brings a wealth of experience in energy and climate policy, having led the Danish
Read more

Dr James Richardson

Chief Economist at the Climate Change Committee
Dr James Richardson oversees the CCC’s analytical teams covering both Net Zero and Adaptation. James led the CCC’s work on the Seventh Carbon Budget advice to the UK Government, and
Read more

Prof. Nicola Ranger

Executive Director, Earth Capital Nexus and Professor in Practice of Natural Capital, Risk and Finance in the Grantham Research Institute on Climate
Professor Nicola Ranger is Executive Director of Earth Capital Nexus and Professor in Practice of Natural Capital, Risk and Finance in the Grantham Research Institute on Climate
Read more

Andy Bord

CEO, Railpen
Andy Bord became CEO of Railpen in October 2024, overseeing the investment and administration of over £34bn in assets for 350,000 railway pension scheme members. He brings strategic
Read more

Catherine Higham

Senior Policy Fellow (Climate Change Laws of the World), London School of Economics and Political Science
Catherine Higham is a Senior Policy Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute at LSE. In that role, she works on mapping evolutions in transnational climate change law, co-authoring
Read more

Alex Kennedy

Head of Sustainable Finance Solutions at Standard Chartered Bank
Alex is the Head of Sustainable Finance Solutions at Standard Chartered Bank. Alex is responsible for offering bespoke Sustainable Finance solutions to the Bank and to its clients.
Read more

Andrew Forsyth

Head of Climate and Sustainability at Zurich Resilience Services
Andrew leads the Zurich Resilience Solutions Climate Resilience and Sustainability team in the UK, having joined in 2023 and he leads the strategic direction of the work with UK
Read more

Stephanie Pfeifer

CEO, IIGCC
Stephanie has led IIGCC since 2005 and overseen its expansion into a European-focused investor group. She sits on the Steering Committees for Climate Action 100+, the Net Zero Asset
Read more

Faith Ward

Board Chair, IIGCC
Faith is currently Chief Responsible Investment Officer for Brunel Pension Partnership and Chair of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC). These roles enable
Read more

Ian Simm

Treasurer, IIGCC
Ian is the Founder and Chief Executive of Impax Asset Management Group plc, one of the world’s leading investment managers dedicated to investing in the transition to a more
Read more

Emily Murrell

Policy Director, IIGCC
Emily leads the policy team, which covers UK, European and international policy issues. She has over a decade’s experience working on climate policy and climate finance in the World
Read more

Peter Taylor

Corporate Programme Director, IIGCC
Peter leads our corporate team, supporting investor engagements with companies through initiatives including Climate Action 100+, the Net Zero Engagement Initiative and Nature
Read more

Jane Murray

General Counsel
Jane has over 20 years’ experience as both general counsel and business adviser across sectors and spent much of her career in venture capital focussed on telecommunications and
Read more

Valentina Ramirez

Head of Climate Strategy Implementation at IIGCC 
Valentina leads our work on climate strategy implementation, supporting our members in implementing our guidance to achieve net zero, invest in climate solutions, and overseeing our
Read more

Lars Aagaard

Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Denmark

Lars Aagaard serves as Denmark’s Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities since December 2022. He brings a wealth of experience in energy and climate policy, having led the Danish Energy Association as CEO from 2009 to 2022. Earlier in his career, he was Head of Environment and Energy at the Confederation of Danish Industries (2004–2007).

Dr James Richardson

Chief Economist at the Climate Change Committee

Dr James Richardson oversees the CCC’s analytical teams covering both Net Zero and Adaptation.

James led the CCC’s work on the Seventh Carbon Budget advice to the UK Government, and parallel advice to the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments. He is leading work on the CCC’s independent advice on the fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment, and the first Well Adapted UK report.

Prior to this, James was Chief Economist at the National Infrastructure Commission, and worked at HM Treasury including as Deputy Chief Economic Adviser and Director, Public Spending.

James has a PhD in economics.

 

Prof. Nicola Ranger

Executive Director, Earth Capital Nexus and Professor in Practice of Natural Capital, Risk and Finance in the Grantham Research Institute on Climate

Professor Nicola Ranger is Executive Director of Earth Capital Nexus and Professor in Practice of Natural Capital, Risk and Finance in the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She leads interdisciplinary research and policy engagement at the nexus of finance, investment, natural capital, resilience and sustainable development with a global focus.

Professor Ranger is a globally recognized expert in sustainable finance, climate and nature, and systemic resilience. Her research focuses on integrating climate and nature risks into financial decision-making, developing innovative financial instruments, green fiscal policy, debt sustainability and mobilizing investment for sustainable development. She works closely with financial institutions, central banks, governments, and international organizations.

Nicola brings two decades of experience working in senior roles across government, research, international financial institutions and the private sector and has published extensively on topics related to sustainable finance, risk, resilience, nature and development. She is also the founding Director of the Resilient Planet Finance Lab in collaboration with the University of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute and serves on several high-level advisory groups, including those for the World Bank, the Bank of England’s Climate Financial Risk Forum, the Network for Greening the Financial System, TRASE, Natural State and PlanetaryX.

 

Andy Bord

CEO, Railpen

Andy Bord became CEO of Railpen in October 2024, overseeing the investment and administration of over £34bn in assets for 350,000 railway pension scheme members. He brings strategic vision and operational focus from senior roles across telecoms, private equity, and insurance, where he championed accessible flood insurance for high-risk householders.

 

At Railpen, Andy drives the organisational purpose – to secure our members' future – through his deep commitment to delivering long-term value for members, placing them at the heart of decision-making. Known for his inclusive leadership, he advocates for purposeful innovation, integrity, and measurable impact.

 

Catherine Higham

Senior Policy Fellow (Climate Change Laws of the World), London School of Economics and Political Science

Catherine Higham is a Senior Policy Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute at LSE. In that role, she works on mapping evolutions in transnational climate change law, co-authoring an annual report series on Global Trends in Climate Litigation and leading the Climate Change Laws of the World project – a free, open access global resource on climate legislation and policy. Her research also focuses on human rights and climate change and understanding the impact of different legal interventions on climate governance and climate action. Kate joined the Grantham Research Institute in 2021. Prior to joining she worked in the not-for-profit sector, including many years at the international human rights organisation Reprieve. 

Alex Kennedy

Head of Sustainable Finance Solutions at Standard Chartered Bank

Alex is the Head of Sustainable Finance Solutions at Standard Chartered Bank.

Alex is responsible for offering bespoke Sustainable Finance solutions to the Bank and to its clients. Alex has been instrumental in the issuance of the Bank’s three Sustainability Bonds and in the Bank’s launch of the world-first sustainable money market deposit in 2019.

Since then, he has led the rollout of ESG derivatives, ESG repos, sustainable savings accounts, sustainable trade finance, green mortgages and an NDC aligned climate loan. He is the Bank’s lead on frameworks (green, social and transition), taxonomies, and sustainable finance impact reporting. He also leads the Bank’s work on Adaptation & Resilience, and social finance.

As well as being a trustee of the Vision Catalyst Fund, Alex helped establish and now sits on the board of a social enterprise operating between London and Kenya that serves to empower young people through employment.


Andrew Forsyth

Head of Climate and Sustainability at Zurich Resilience Services

Andrew leads the Zurich Resilience Solutions Climate Resilience and Sustainability team in the UK, having joined in 2023 and he leads the strategic direction of the work with UK customers.

 

With extensive experience in both the consulting industry and the public sector, Andrew works with customers to translate complex concepts into actionable strategies, supporting organizations to navigate the impacts of climate change and build resilience.

 

Andrew serves customers across most major sectors, working with them to add value to their business proposition by helping them identify, understand and act upon physical climate risk and broader sustainability issues. ​

 

Stephanie Pfeifer

CEO, IIGCC

Stephanie has led IIGCC since 2005 and overseen its expansion into a European-focused investor group. She sits on the Steering Committees for Climate Action 100+, the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative and the Investor Agenda, as well as the Executive Committee for the Paris Aligned Asset Owners.

Prior to her role at IIGCC, Stephanie worked in investment banking for over seven years, including as a senior economist at Morgan Grenfell and a VP at Deutsche Bank in London. She holds an MSc with distinction in Environmental Studies, a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University and an MA in Economics from Exeter University. Stephanie received an OBE for her services to climate finance in Her Majesty the Queen's Jubilee Birthday Honours List in 2022.

Faith Ward

Board Chair, IIGCC

Faith is currently Chief Responsible Investment Officer for Brunel Pension Partnership and Chair of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC). These roles enable her to advocate for better appreciation of systemic risk as well as design solutions that embed such risks, like climate change, into the operations of finance and investment, an industry she has served for over 25 years.

Faith’s other roles include member of the Ethics Investment Advisory Group for the Church of England National Investing Bodies; member of Investor Advisory Group for ISSB (formerly SASBIAG); Member of the UK Green Taxonomy Advisory Group; and Climate Ambassador for the National Federation of Women's Institutes.

Faith is a founder and formerly its co-chair of the Transition Pathway Initiative and currently NED. She was also the chair of the Reporting and Assessment Advisory Committee for the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI).

Ian Simm

Treasurer, IIGCC

Ian is the Founder and Chief Executive of Impax Asset Management Group plc, one of the world’s leading investment managers dedicated to investing in the transition to a more sustainable economy. Prior to Impax, Ian was an engagement manager at McKinsey & Company advising clients on environmental strategy. Ian is currently a member of the Steering Committee of the UK’s Green Finance Institute. He has a degree in physics from Cambridge University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University.

Emily Murrell

Policy Director, IIGCC

Emily leads the policy team, which covers UK, European and international policy issues. She has over a decade’s experience working on climate policy and climate finance in the World Bank Group, at HSBC and in the UK Civil Service. Emily was a senior policy advisor in the UK Cabinet Office and in the former UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, including experience as a climate negotiator at UN COP summits. Emily has a BSc in Social Policy with Government from London School of Economics and an MA in EU International Relations and Diplomacy from the College of Europe in Belgium.

Peter Taylor

Corporate Programme Director, IIGCC

Peter leads our corporate team, supporting investor engagements with companies through initiatives including Climate Action 100+, the Net Zero Engagement Initiative and Nature Action 100. He previously worked as a senior portfolio manager and Head of Corporate Governance at Aberdeen Asset Management in Singapore, London and São Paolo. Peter began his career at the International Finance Corporation and more recently has advised European development finance institutions on climate governance. He holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University and an MA from John Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies.

Jane Murray

General Counsel

Jane has over 20 years’ experience as both general counsel and business adviser across sectors and spent much of her career in venture capital focussed on telecommunications and renewable energy. She has developed a number of start-ups and advises seed and early-stage businesses social impact space.

Valentina Ramirez

Head of Climate Strategy Implementation at IIGCC 

Valentina leads our work on climate strategy implementation, supporting our members in implementing our guidance to achieve net zero, invest in climate solutions, and overseeing our future work on emerging markets, just transition, and adaptation and resilience.

Most recently she has worked as a climate finance consultant for Genesis Analytics, an Africa-based consultancy, and served as Deputy Head of Natural Capital Advisory for CrossBoundary. She previously worked for Grupo Bancolombia, in both the asset management and investment banking subsidiaries.

 

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