Published on: May 1, 2019
Left picture, from left to right: Karin Finkelston, International Finance Corporation; Phil Cull, NatureBank Asset Management Inc.; Brian Minns, Addenda Capital; Emily Chew, Manulife Asset Management; and Amal-Lee Amin, Inter-American Development Bank. Top right, same order: Marie-Josée Privyk, Millani; Olivier Gamache, Groupe Investissement Responsable Inc.; Pierre-Laurent Macridis, Fondaction; and Karolina Kosciolek, Addenda Capital. Bottom right: Angela Homewood, Environmentally Sustainable Projects ALW Inc.; Samantha Cameron, Addenda Capital; and Edith Callaghan, Acadia University.
In January, Karolina Kosciolek, Analyst, Sustainable Investing, participated in a panel discussion on the various approaches to responsible investing at the Desautels Business Conference on Sustainability at McGill University in Montréal.
Brian Minns, Vice President, Sustainable Investing, spoke at the 2019 Globe Capital Conference in February. In a panel, he discussed how capital can be directed to limit global warming to below two degrees.
At the Queen’s University Commerce and Engineering Environmental Conference in March, Samantha Cameron, Junior Analyst, Sustainable Investing participated in a panel discussion on how industries are transitioning to more sustainable business practices.
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE FINANCIAL MARKETS — RAISING STANDARDS
Canada’s Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance
Addenda Capital and The Co-operators submitted a joint response to the Interim Report of Canada’s Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance. The Panel was commissioned by the Ministers of Environment and Climate Change (ECCC) and Finance to consult with the Canadian financial sector to raise awareness about climate-related risks and advance climate-related financial disclosures.
In the letter, Addenda and The Co-operators reiterated their support of the Expert Panel and highlighted the urgency of the situation as well as the important role of the financial sector in transitioning to a climate-resilient, low-carbon society. They also provided suggestions and feedback on various topics raised by the Panel. For example, Canadian stock exchanges could incorporate the Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative’s Model Guidance on Reporting ESG Information in their listing requirements. Our recommendations also touched upon accelerating the adoption of TCFD disclosure, clear interpretation of fiduciary duty, energy efficiency and resiliency retrofits, and sustainable asset management.
Finally, the letter stated that all Canadians need to hear more about how the transition to a climate-resilient, low-carbon society can help us increase our prosperity and maintain our high quality of life. The Expert Panel is due to make its final recommendations to the Canadian Government in the coming months.
Voting for Board Gender Diversity
On International Women’s Day, Addenda Capital and NEI Investments invited other investors to join them in committing to vote for gender diversity on Canadian boards. Drafted by the Engagement Workstream of the Toronto Responsible Investing Working Group in which Addenda participates, the statement is a public signal to Canadian companies that investors are committed to encourage improved gender diversity on publicly listed corporate boards through proxy voting.
The statement reads: “The commitments each of our institutions have made to advancing Canadian board gender diversity at a minimum include:
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Using our voting rights to withhold votes from relevant director candidates at Canadian boards that lack gender diversity.
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Making known to Canadian companies where absence of diversity may impact or has impacted director voting decisions.”
The statement is currently open to investor signatories until April 30th. For more information or should your organization wish to sign the statement, please contact Brian Minns, Vice President, Sustainable Investing, Addenda Capital, at [email protected].
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