RIA Newsletter
March 2015
RIA News

RIA Conference agenda and speakers
Confirmed speakers at the 2015 RIA Conference include Preston Manning, Founder of Canada's Reform Party, Suzanne West, CEO of Imaginea Energy, Michael Jantzi, CEO of Sustainalytics, and many more. View the speaker biographies here and the draft agenda here. 
RIA Conference: Only 20 early bird tickets left!

There are only 20 RIA Conference early bird registrations left! Early bird is only $495, but prices will increase to $895 for members and $1095 for non-members once these early bird tickets sell out. Register here.
RIA Conference MountainView Barbecue


The RIA is hosting a barbecue on Monday, June 1st at the Brewster's MountainView BBQ in Banff, Alberta. All RIA Conference attendees, and their spouses, are invited. Join us f or a truly country and western experience! Grab your cowboy/cowgirl hat and dance the night away with live music and a bonfire. Travel is provided, and vegetarian options are available. Register  here .

RIA guest blog submissions

We invite RI professionals to submit an article or for the RIA Blog. If you wish to submit an article, please send your piece to Dustyn Lanz: dustyn@riacanada.ca. 
In This Issue
RIA in the Media

Investment Executive, 2/19/15

Catholic Register, 2/21/15
Upcoming RI Events


May 31-June 2, Banff

May 31 @ RIA Conference

June 1-5. Across Canada.

RI Industry and ESG News  

 

Nominate an RI Advisor for the 2015 Wealth Professional SRI Award 

WP Magazine is accepting nominations for the 2015 Wealth Professional Awards. There is a category for Socially Responsible Investing. Nominate yourself or a colleague. More. 

 

UN launches guidance for companies on human rights reporting

The newly-launched United Nations Guiding Principles Reporting Framework provides comprehensive guidance for human rights reporting. More. 

 

Statement of Investor Expectations on Green Bonds

The Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR)  releases a Statement of Investor Expectations on green bonds .  More.

Record-breaking number of ESG-related shareholder resolutions in the US
As You Sow releases its Proxy Preview report, detailing the record-breaking 433 ESG shareholder resolutions filed in the US so far this proxy season, with political spending & climate change driving most of the activity. Summary here. Full report here.

Investors ask oil companies to disclose refineries' risks from climate change
Shareholders ask the five largest US oil companies to disclose the risks their operations and facilities face from rising sea levels and storm surges.  More.

Ethical investors embrace a new yardstick
Sustainalytics CEO Michael Jantzi shares insights with the Globe and Mail about the evolution of responsible investing. More.

Millennials and women accelerate shift to responsible investment
Women and investors born since early 1980's are more likely to invest using ESG criteria, according to recent study. More.

Banff launches the first municipal solar feed-in tariff in Canada
Banff is now the first municipality in Canada to implement a feed-in tariff or what it's calling a 'solar PV production incentive'. More.
RI Research & Analysis

Morgan Stanley: Sustainable Signals: The Individual Investor Perspective
Morgan Stanley surveys individual investors, identifying key drivers of sustainable investing and addressing potential barriers.  More.

ClearBridge: ESG Portfolios: Changing Beliefs, Perceptions and Goals
MJ McQuillen, Managing Director, Portfolio Manager and Head of ESG at  ClearBridge Investments analyzes recent trends and the future of investment in ESG portfolios.  More.

KPMG: Sustainable Insight: Gearing up for green bonds
KPMG report provides an overview of green bond frameworks and standards. It discusses defining a green bond, choosing the right level of external assessment and protecting the issuer's reputation and the credibility of the green bond. More.

CDP: Are Auto Manufacturers Reducing Emissions Quickly Enough?
New CDP report ranks auto makers on environmental performance. More.  
Viewpoints

Deb Abbey: RI growing on several fronts

RIA CEO Deb Abbey discusses how RIA's latest report reveals that although RI assets have increased to unprecedented heights, much more growth can be achieved. Read here.

 

What the divestment movement could mean for Alberta and Canada

Alberta School of Business professors suggest it may be useful for Alberta and Canada to more seriously consider the role of diversification in balancing carbon-based development and growth with carbon-free leadership in clean technology. Read here.

 

Women in leadership: An investing strategy that's working

Socially responsible firms are now looking at the number of women on boards as part of their strategies. Read here. 
Submissions

If you wish to submit news to be considered for inclusion in the RIA newsletter, please contact Dustyn Lanz, RIA Director of Research & Communications: dustyn@riacanada.ca.