The name of the game is engagement, according to a new report by NEI Investments. In 2018, engagement with investee companies on environmental, social and governance factors was a major undertaking for the firm. It actively engaged with 118 companies on these topics, comprising 40 per cent of its overall equity holdings. “We are committed to helping […]
“Climate change is a weapon of mass destruction,” said Sandra Carlisle, head of responsible investment at HSBC Global Asset Management, at a panel hosted by the Responsible Investment Association on Thursday. It’s critical that investors, who are thinking about how the impacts of climate change present a genuine risk, broaden their perspective to include the multifaceted […]
Sun Life Financial Inc. is among the most sustainable companies globally for the tenth consecutive year. The 2019 ranking, published by media company Corporate Knights, is based on sustainability performance criteria in areas such as financial and employee management, clean revenue and supplier performance. Sun Life’s commitment to sustainability focuses on making progress in four key areas: organizational resilience, environmental responsibility, […]
Sustainalytics, a research, ratings and analytics firm focusing on environmental, social and governance issues, is acquiring GES International, a provider of engagement, screening and fiduciary voting services to institutional investors. As ESG has become a more prominent part of institutional investing decisions, the combination of Sustainalytics’ materiality-focused ESG research and ratings with the services GES provides […]
\MSCI Inc. and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development have collaborated on a joint research paper to facilitate discussions about how institutional investors can implement the UN’s sustainable development goals in their strategies. There are 17 sustainable development goals that aim to deal with challenges including climate change, income inequality and sustainable consumption. The target delivery dates […]
With the new year almost here, there are some interdependent themes investors should watch, such as central banks tightening policy, trade tensions and an increased focus on sustainability according to Mercer’s most recent paper on themes and opportunities for 2019. Chance of ‘white water’ turbulence There is evidence that credit is overextended, the paper said, […]
While many companies are aware of the United Nation’s sustainable development goals, with some mentioning them directly in their disclosure reporting, only 12 per cent of those referencing the goals actually set quantitative targets for meeting them, according to new research by PIMCO. The research, which analyzed how 246 companies interact with the framework of the sustainable development goals, […]
While 50 per cent of U.S.-based institutional investors currently don’t invest sustainably, 52 per cent said they plan to either maintain or increase their allocations to sustainable investment over the next three years, according to a recent survey by SEI Investments Co. In terms of sustainability issues, investors are most interested in renewable energy (58 per cent), followed […]
The landscape in the pharmaceutical world is forever changing, as drug costs continue to rise and drug plan sustainability is at risk, said Alberta Blue Cross’ Krystal Wynnyk at the 2018 Calgary Drug Trends Summit on Oct. 25. “We’re stuck trying to find a balance between plan sponsor costs and drug sustainability, and balancing that […]
Canadian investment managers had $2.1 trillion in assets using responsible investment strategies as of Dec. 31, 2017, a major jump from $1.5 trillion at the end of 2015, according to a new survey by the Responsible Investment Association. Indeed, responsible investing accounts for more than half (51 per cent) of Canadian assets under management, noted the survey. “Surpassing […]