GLOBAL - The majority of institutional investors now factor climate change information into their investment decisions and asset allocation, according to research by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

The London-based CDP, a global mechanism by which companies report their greenhouse gas emissions to their investors, said it has surveyed 80 of its signatory investors globally, including asset managers, pension funds and insurers.

"Three-quarters factor climate change information into their investment decisions and asset allocations," said CDP.

It added of these three-quarters of respondents, more than 80% consider climate change to be important relative to other issues impacting their portfolio.

Additionally, some of the institutions surveyed said they would go beyond requesting disclosure on climate change, such as asking companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The organisation said consultancy company Mercer had analysed the survey results and compiled a report which will be made available next month.

CDP has now issued its 2009 annual information request for climate change data to 3,700 listed companies.

The CDP request is made on behalf of its signatory investors with a combined $55trn (€42.85trn) of assets under management.

According to the organisation, the number of investors which have signed the annual information request rose by almost a quarter to a record 475, compared with 385 in 2008.

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