Quebec-based pension fund Bâtirente has reduced the carbon footprint of its equities by more than 22 per cent of its benchmark portfolios, according to the fund’s latest analysis. It also found that as of Dec. 31, 2019, the fund’s carbon footprint was down 12 per cent from the previous year, due to improved equity selections […]
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is launching Renewable Power Capital Ltd., a U.K.-based platform that will focus on renewable energy investments in Europe. The platform is backed by the CPPIB’s power and renewables investment strategy and will invest in solar, onshore wind and battery storage projects across Europe, according to a press release, which also noted […]
During the virtual 2020 Defined Benefit Investment Forum on Thursday, the Canadian Investment Review announced the winners of its inaugural Pension Leadership Awards. The winners are: Investment governance award — Concordia University pension plan Sustainable investing award — Bâtirente Chief investment officer of the year — Julie Cays, the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology pension plan DC investment […]
Along with big risks comes the need for solutions and companies that provide those solutions, said Edward Lees, co-lead and portfolio manager at BNP Paribas Asset Management, when speaking at the Canadian Investment Review’s Investment Innovation Conference in November. Although in the current environment the coronavirus has been top of mind, climate issues have not […]
People are increasingly viewing the world with a lens that incorporates environmental, social and governance factors, said Andrew Parry, head of sustainable investment at Newton Investment Management, when speaking at the Canadian Investment Review’s Investment Innovation Conference in November. Climate change is a prominent issue with extreme weather events becoming the normal, he said, noting […]
Investments that incorporate environmental, social and governance factors are growing rapidly in Canada, according to a new survey by the Responsible Investment Association. It found these investments grew from $2.1 trillion at the end of 2017 to $3.2 trillion as of Dec. 31, 2019, a 48 per cent increase in responsible investment assets under management. In […]
A group of Canadian pension plan investment managers is calling on companies to standardize their environmental, social and governance disclosure to help them in their investment decision-making and better assess and manage their risks. Together, the eight fund managers oversee a total of about $1.6 trillion in assets and are committing to strengthening ESG disclosure within […]
The Canadian Investment Review’s Sustainable Investing Award will be presented to a pension plan that has shown leadership and/or significant progress when it comes to incorporating sustainability into the investment process. This will consider sound practices related to environmental, social and governance matters across asset classes and can include considerations related to people management within […]
The Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Aviva Investors are jointly funding a new office building in Cambridge, England. The six-storey building has been fully pre-let to a flexible workspace provider, according to a press release that noted construction is expected to be completed in 2023. It’s the latest investment in Cambridge real estate by […]
Demand for defined benefit pension plan sponsors to focus on environmental, social and governance factors through their investments is growing. Both plan sponsors and members have been increasingly vocal about keeping ESG issues top of mind. For example, the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan has worked on balancing this increased appetite for ethical investing with an overall […]