The world’s electrical grids require massive investments if countries are to meet net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 goals, according to a new report from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. “In many countries, including the world’s most advanced economies, aging grids are not yet ready for the expected surge in demand,” noted the report. “Nor were […]
Pension plan sponsors can’t ignore the financial risks of climate change or respond to them with half-baked approaches that allow companies to continue pumping out pollution. To be credible, comprehensive and complete, strategies protecting Canadians’ retirement savings from the unprecedented risks of the climate crisis must include several key elements. A Paris-aligned commitment The Paris Agreement […]
More than a quarter (29 per cent) of global employees said their employers are focusing on supporting workers’ physical and mental well-being to address growing skills and labour shortages, according to a new survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The survey, which polled more than 52,000 employees across 44 countries and territories, found respondents said their employers are also combatting […]
The Public Sector Pension Investment Board is committing to using its capital and influence to support a transition to net-zero emissions by 2050, according to its inaugural climate strategy report. The strategy also includes commitments to curbing the intensity of its portfolio’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 per cent, increase its investments in green assets […]
How often does today’s news present stories about environmental issues? Climate change, pollution, overpopulation, deforestation, biodiversity degradation — the list is endless and these long-term shifts are far from new. We’re failing our environment and our people. Our world is changing. Food, fresh water, other natural resources and clean energy are all under strain. Unfortunately, […]
The focus on environmental, social and governance factors is a train that’s leaving the station, but some pension plan sponsors and institutional investors remain hesitant to hop aboard. Over the past decade, interest in incorporating ESG factors into investment decisions has increased. Indeed, a 2020 survey by investment consulting firm Callan found 42 per cent […]
The federal government’s 2022 budget, which set out $56 billion in new spending on Thursday, has a few offerings that could impact employers and employees. Dental-care program, pharmacare The budget confirmed the government’s commitment to rolling out a national dental-care program, which was announced in March, by specifying a $5.3-billion investment in its implementation. It also […]
For three-quarters (75 per cent) of institutional investors, climate change is now central to — or a significant factor in — their investment policies, a steep increase from only 34 per cent two years ago, according to a new survey by Robeco Institutional Asset Management. The survey, which polled 300 of the world’s largest institutional […]
The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System returned 15.7 per cent for 2021, a significant increase on its 2020 return. In its annual report, the OMERS said four key factors drove the outperformance relative to its benchmark, which was 6.6 per cent — its portfolio of public equities returned 20.7 per cent; its private equity businesses grew […]
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is committing to making its portfolio net zero by 2050, but says it won’t be making any blanket divestments. The organization said Thursday it plans to achieve the goal while continuing to invest in the whole economy and will push for an economic transition to a lower carbon economy as an […]