The carbon footprint of Bâtirente’s overall equities portfolio is 35 per cent lower than its benchmark, according to a report by the Quebec-based pension fund. The report also shows that the carbon footprint for Bâtirente’s three equity funds — global, small-cap and Canadian — is lower than their respective benchmarks. In the case of the small-cap fund, it […]
After the Paris Accord, how can green bonds help your portfolio?
The OPSEU Pension Trust posted a 9.5 per cent return for 2017, an increase on its six per cent return in 2016 and its eight per cent return in 2015. “We were strong across all the asset classes,” says Hugh O’Reilly, president and chief executive officer of OPTrust, noting the fund saw a 22.9 per cent return in public equities […]
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and French private investment firm Adrian are acquiring a significant stake in a global developer, producer and distributor of airport ground support equipment. Headquartered in Paris, Alvest International’s customers include passenger and cargo airlines, ground handlers and airport authorities. The investment will contribute to the company’s efforts in building […]
Environmental, social and governance factors have a role to play in the smart beta strategies that institutional investors have become more familiar with in recent years, according to an investment manager who spoke at a seminar in Toronto on Thursday. When creating an index, exposure to environmental, social and governance factors can work just like any other […]
Recent weeks and months have seen a rise in activity around pension fund divestment from carbon assets. This month, the City of New York announced a plan to divest from fossil fuels within its five pension funds. In doing so, it joins pension plans in Washington, Berlin and Cape Town, as well as funds at the University […]
Some of the world’s largest institutional investors are throwing their weight around on behalf of mother earth. A group called Climate Action 100+, which is comprised of 225 institutional investors with more than US$26 trillion in assets under management, has launched a program to engage with the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters, encouraging the companies to step up […]
Are Canadian issuers ready for Moody's new focus on climate change risk?
Company takes steps to address climate change
The Desjardins Group is going carbon neutral as part of several actions the company plans to address climate change. In a release, the company pointed to its aim of supporting the transition to cleaner energy as well as pushing for the businesses it invests in to adopt ideal environmental, social and governance practices. “As a financial co-operative, […]