For many Canadians, it’s important that their investments reflect their personal values. A first step may be to avoid investing in companies whose business they see as unethical, such as weapons manufacturers, tobacco and fossil-fuel companies. But an increasing number of people are looking to go further. They want to invest in firms that are working actively to make the world a better place.
Category: Press
Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance Recommends Super Tax Deduction to Incentivize Green Savings (Benefits Canada)
An expert panel on sustainable finance is advocating for the government to implement a number of recommendations, including some related to pension plans and individual retirement savings accounts.
Expert Panel Aims to Recruit the Financial Sector into the Climate Fight (Investment Executive)
Final report provides concrete recommendations to bring sustainable investment into the mainstream.
A collection of institutional investors is endorsing an expert panel’s recommendations calling for regulators, the financial industry and investors to drive sustainable investment through the traditional financial sector.
Survey Finds Increasing Support for RI (Advisor’s Edge)
Canadians are increasingly interested in responsible investments (RI), according to a survey published Thursday by Montreal-based Desjardins Group.
According to the survey, Canadians became more familiar with, and interested in, RI between 2016 and 2018. The percentage of respondents who said they were interested in RI increased to 72% from 66% over the same two-year period.
Close to one-fifth of respondents said they had discussed RI with their advisor.
OPINION: It’s Time for Investors to Do More to Advance Reconciliation (The Chronicle Herald)
Although Indigenous peoples have had a visible and growing presence in Canada’s business, political and cultural life, when it comes to Canadians’ investment dollars, Indigenous rights and culture are still too often an afterthought. The consequences can be expensive: the Trans Mountain pipeline continues to be stalled because of inadequate consultation with Indigenous communities.
But awareness is not only about avoiding risk. There are also opportunities for investors to participate in the growing Indigenous economy.
RI Designations Growing in Popularity: RIA (Advisor’s Edge)
An increasing number of advisors are obtaining designations related to responsible investment, according to the Responsible Investment Association (RIA).
The RIA offers a number of such certifications, and says that 850 financial professionals have either earned one of its RI designation or are queued up to earn one.
RI Designation Gaining Momentum Among Advisors (Wealth Professional)
In a survey released by the Responsible Investment Association (RIA) in December, 86% of respondents agreed that financial advisors and institutions should be aware of the possible portfolio impact of environmental, social, and government (ESG) risks. And based on new information from the organization, the financial-services industry is taking notice.
More than 850 financial professionals have either earned an RI designation or are in line to earn one from the RIA, according to the non-profit organization.
Global Sustainable Assets Hit $30.7 Trillion in 2018 – Report (Pensions & Investments)
Global sustainable investment assets reached $30.7 trillion at the start of 2018, with noticeable growth in Canada, the U.S. and Japan, according to the Global Sustainable Investment Review 2018 released Monday by the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance.
Global Sustainable Investments Rise 34 Percent to $30.7 Trillion (Bloomberg)
Bloomberg report that global socially responsible investments grew by 34 percent to $30.7 trillion over the past two years, lifted by retail investors everywhere and broad and growing global concern about climate change.
Canadian Responsible Investments Surpass $2 Trillion (Investment Executive)
Responsible investments (RI) made up more than half (50.6%) of Canadian assets under management (AUM) in 2017, according to report published Wednesday from the Toronto-based Responsible Investment Association (RIA).
This is a significant leap forward from 2015, when RI accounted for only about 37.8% of AUM.