GHG Emissions  -  October 14, 2021

Canadian Investors Step Up to Encourage Climate Change Consideration

A group of investor associations launched Oct. 14 a new initiative encouraging the connection between finance and corporate institutions to align Canada’s financial system with a low-carbon economy.

Climate Engagement Canada (CEC) is led by investor networks the Responsible Investment Association (RIA), Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE), and Ceres and is supported by the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The CEC has 27 founding investor participants, who collectively manage more than $3 trillion in assets.

As a participant in the program, investor groups will identify 40 of the highest-emitting corporations in Canada and work with these companies on incorporating best practices in responding to climate change risks and opportunities.

“Collaborative shareholder engagement is the pinnacle of responsible investment, so we are thrilled to see this program come to life in the Canadian market,” Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the RIA, said in a statement. “Canada’s financial community has set a new bar for climate engagement on a national scale, and we encourage our peers in other regions to build similar programs to help drive the transition to net zero globally.”