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Steyer, a longtime Clinton backer, made waves last year by suggesting in an interview with MSNBC that a primary challenge might be a good thing for her. | AP Photo

Billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyers fingerprints are all over this weeks spring meeting of the Democracy Alliance an indication that the influential coalition of liberal donors intends to spend big to elevate climate change, and that Steyer plans to be at the forefront of the push.

The former hedge fund trader is hosting three climate-focused sessions at the confab, according to an agenda obtained by POLITICO.

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The conference which began on Sunday at San Franciscos Four Seasons hotel and wraps up Wednesday marks the unveiling of a new portfolio of advocacy groups to which the Democracy Alliance will recommend its wealthy members provide funding. Several groups focused partly or entirely on fighting climate change made the cut, including LeadingGreen, a joint initiative between the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund and the League of Conservation Voters launched in 2014 to raise the profile of climate change.

Democracy Alliance members a group that includes Steyer, billionaire financier George Soros and Houston trial lawyers Amber and Steve Mostyn are required to donate at least $200,000 a year to recommended groups, though many donors spend much more than that. The alliance, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary in San Francisco, has steered more than $500 million to favored groups and its recommendations are considered a significant bellwether of the direction of the progressive movement.

The spring conference and new funding recommendations come as the group is working to create space between itself and the Democratic Party, with some members known to harbor doubts about the just-launched presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton.

Some Democracy Alliance donors have expressed concern that she and other leading Democrats have been insufficiently aggressive on climate change and other liberal causes, such as fighting income inequality and the role of money in politics.

Clinton, who has never spoken to the Democracy Alliance, declined an invitation to appear at the San Francisco meeting.

Its president Gara LaMarche said in a statement that its new portfolio which it released publicly for the first time focuses on the biggest challenges of our time restoring economic opportunity, repairing our democracy and addressing the urgent threat of climate change.

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Steyer stars as liberal donors gather