RIA Newsletter
August 2015
RIA News






  
Investing in Global Food Security, by Deb Abbey
RIA CEO Deb Abbey has written a new article for Investment Executive, in which she writes: "R esearch shows that the majority of investors would like their financial advisors to talk to them about responsible investing. The challenge for advisors, however, is staying informed about the issues that can affect financial performance and have an impact on society. Global food security is one of those issues." More.

RIA submission to BC Climate Consultation
The RIA has sent a set of policy recommendations to the Government of British Columbia in response to its public consultation on B.C.'s Climate Leadership Plan. Read the policy recommendations here. 

RIA Blog: Climate Risk Starting to Become Clear
A new article by RI expert Cary Krosinsky is featured on the RIA blog. The article, Climate Risk for Investors Starting to Become Clear, explains: "While many continue to discount calls for divestment and the value at risk from climate change, a growing body of work shows that value has already been lost and much more is in the balance." Cary outlines five new categories of risk to consider. Read here. 

RI Funds: Q2 2015 Performance Highlights
The performance data for Canadian RI mutual funds and ETFs are now available for Q2 2015. Below is a link to a spreadsheet that shows performance numbers for all RI funds over several time periods against their benchmarks and industry averages. Also below is a link to a two-page brief that shows highlights from Q2 2015. The brief makes a great handout for clients. Highlights Brief here. Full chart here.

Save the Date: RIA Conference 2016
The next RIA Conference will take place June 6th and 7th, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Toronto. Sponsorship information and more details will be available in fall 2015. More.

RI Fundamentals course now in French  
The RIA has partnered with the PRI Academy to launch the Academy's first French-language course on responsible investment.  RI Fundamentals is an introductory course that can be completed in 3 hours. Register and l earn more about PRI Academy courses here . 

Canada's newest certified RI Advisor
The RIA congratulates Ian Robertson, VP, Director, Portfolio Manager with Odlum Brown Limited, on becoming Canada's newest recipient of the Responsible Investment Advisor Certification (RIAC). Learn more about certification here.
In This Issue
Upcoming RI Events

Sep 8-10. London, UK

Sept 18. Toronto, ON

Oct. 1. Toronto, ON 

Nov 4. Toronto, ON

Nov 12-13. Toronto, ON

Feb 25-26, Vancouver, BC  

June 6-7, Toronto
RI Job Postings

NEI Investments

Toronto Atmospheric Fund

Research Analyst, Executive Compensation, Institutional Shareholder Services

Purpose Capital

Purpose Capital

Sustainalytics
NEI Investments 
RI Industry News

Morningstar to launch ESG scores for funds
Morningstar Inc. plans to launch environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores for mutual funds and exchange-traded funds later this year. ESG ratings on over 4,500 companies will be used  to create asset-weighted composite ESG scores for the funds. 
Read more here. Watch the video interview here. 

CPPIB invests in companies that Norway's oil fund excludes for ethical reasons
RIA CEO Deb Abbey is quoted in a recent CBC news article: "All investors should use their rights as shareholders to reduce risk and increase shareholder and stakeholder value. The CPPIB has more resources to do that than most." More. 

Canadian companies continue to adopt say on pay
In response to shareholder activism, Canadian company participation in say on pay has increased almost 25 percent since 2013. More. 

AGF Market Insight shows fund's environmental footprint 
New brief from AGF portfolio managers provides insight into the AGF Global Sustainable Growth Equity Fund's environmental footprint relative to its benchmark. More.

ClearBridge brief on corporate governance and proxy voting 
ClearBridge portfolio manager reviews an important component of governance for ESG investors: corporate governance polices and the proxy voting season for 2015. More.

NEI Investments updates Corporate Engagement Focus List for Ethical Funds
NEI provides a list of target companies it is engaging to encourage the adoption of sustainable and positive ESG practices. More

IGM Financial added to Jantzi Social Index
Winnipeg-based IGM Financial Inc. has been added to the Jantzi Social Index, a leading index of Canadian of socially and environmentally responsible companies. More.

Toshiba removed from Dow Jones Sustainability Index 
Toshiba has been removed from the Dow Jones Sustainability Index following an accounting scandal in which senior management was widely involved.  More.

CFA Institute: Almost three quarters of CFAs now use ESG criteria
CFA survey finds 73% of Chartered Financial Analysts use environmental, social and governance (ESG) information when making investment decisions. More. 

Canadian Medical Association votes to divest from fossil fuels and reinvest
The CMA has voted to divest from fossil fuels, citing negative health impacts of climate change & pollution. CMA will reinvest  in renewables. More here and here. 

United Church of Canada votes to sell off its fossil fuel assets
The United Church of Canada has voted to sell its fossil fuel assets and commit financially to funding an economy based on renewable energy.  More.

The Routledge Handbook of Responsible Investment
This handbook, co-authored by RIA Member Tessa Hebb of Carleton University, provides an atlas of current practice in the field of responsible investment. More.
ESG News

Global warming increases 'food shocks' threat
Climate change is increasing the risk of severe 'food shocks' where crops fail and prices of staples rise rapidly around the world. Extreme weather events that impact food production could be happening in seven years out of ten by the end of this century. More.

Tropical forests totalling size of India at risk of being cleared, study warns
Washington-based Center for Global Development predicts 714 million acres of tropical forests will be felled by 2050 based on current trends. More.

Coca-Cola to reach water goal five years early
The soda giant has announced it will replenish all the water used in making its beverages by the end of this year. More. 

US lawsuit accuses Costco, Thai supplier of selling prawns produced by slaves
A US lawsuit has sought a court order to stop Costco from selling prawns without a label stating that slave labor was involved in the farm raised prawns. More. 

Nova Scotia pulls the plug on renewable energy scheme
Nova Scotia has cancelled a successful project that provided incentives for citizens people to generate renewable energy.  More.

Ranking of the world's most water-stressed countries
World Resources Institute has scored and ranked future water stress in 167 countries by 2020, 2030, and 2040. More. 
Policy & Legal News

U.S. listed firms will soon have to compare CEO pay to that of average employee
Companies will be permitted to select the methodology for identifying their median employee and for calculating that employee's compensation. More.
Research & Analysis

The Economist: The Cost of Inaction: Value at Risk from Climate Change
New report calculates the value at risk to manageable assets from climate change at US$4.2 trillion. The tail risks are much worse. More. 

CPA Canada: An Evolving Corporate Reporting Landscape
This new briefing from CPA Canada is a starting point for gaining a broad view of three sets of voluntary reporting and related guidance: integrated reporting, sustainability reporting and ESG reporting. More. 

Oxford: Investment consultants and green investment: Risking stranded advice?
This study from the Smith School at Oxford suggests that inadequate investment consultant-asset owner relationships are hindering green investment. More.  

UNEP FI and WRI: Carbon Asset Risk: Discussion Framework
Report from UNEP Finance Initiative and World Resources Institute offers guidance for evaluating exposure to carbon asset risk. More.
Viewpoints

Cary Krosinsky: Sustainable Investing Goes Mainstream
RI expert Cary Krosinsky says sustainable investing is attracting mainstream interest, but we should be careful not to exaggerate the state of play. More. 

Jay Smith: The Business Case for Getting More Women Into Senior Management
Women continue to be underrepresented on the corporate boards of Canadian energy companies. Edmonton writer Jay Smith explains that's to everyone's detriment. More. 

Allen L. White: Why Sustainability Ratings Matter
Co-Founder of the Global Reporting Initiative explains that sustainability ratings can capture value that financial reporting systems overlook. More. 
Submissions

You are invited to submit news to be considered for inclusion in RIA newsletters
Send your news to staff@riacanada.ca, subject line" RIA Newsletter Submission.