Join Shift Action and teachers from across Ontario for an interactive online workshop and discussion on how Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) is managing the financial risks of climate change and what it means for your retirement savings and the planet.
OTPP is one of the largest pension funds in Canada, with 329,000 members and over $200 billion in teachers’ retirement savings under management. How OTPP invests your money is a major factor in how quickly we can transition to a low-carbon economy while growing your pension in a warming world. The investment decisions made by OTPP influence whether businesses in Canada and around the world build electric cars and solar panels, or diesel engines and coal-fired power plants.
While OTPP has made modest progress in its approach to climate change, only a tiny portion of teachers’ pension savings is invested in solutions to the climate crisis. OTPP has not disclosed how much of its assets are invested in fossil fuels, but estimates range from $8 billion to $25 billion, which includes investments in some of the world’s largest coal, oil and gas polluters.
Not only do these investments accelerate the climate crisis, they also put your pension at risk. The world is transitioning away from fossil fuels and the value of oil, gas and coal companies is plummeting.
During this workshop, we will:
Hear from Ontario teachers who are fighting for a climate-safe future for young people
Learn about the basics of the climate crisis and the transition to a clean energy economy
Understand the financial risks of climate change to large investors like OTPP
Review OTPP’s investments in fossil fuels and climate solutions
Provide Ontario teachers with tools to engage OTPP on climate change
We’ll also launch a new website and action tool for Ontario teachers called ShiftOTPP.ca and be ready to answer any questions or concerns you might have.
Presenters
Adam Scott, Director, Shift: Action for Pension Wealth and Planet Health
Patrick DeRochie, Pension Engagement Manager, Shift: Action for Pension Wealth and Planet Health
About ShiftOTPP.ca
ShiftOTPP works to protect pensions and the climate by bringing together Ontario teachers and their pension fund, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), to engage on the climate crisis. We help teachers understand where their retirement wealth is being invested and how to engage with the OTPP fund managers investing it. Now is the time for Ontario teachers to protect their retirement savings and ensure a climate-safe future for young people.