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RIA F
oundation & Endowment Forum
Early bird ends soon!
Join over 100 foundations, endowments, nonprofits, asset managers and others at the RIA's Foundation & Endowment Forum on October 17th in Toronto. Learn about 100% total portfolio solutions for a responsible, values-driven portfolio.
Early bird rates end September 30th!
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Canada's Annual RI Week
October 17-21, 2016
Responsible Investment Week is a week of events dedicated to education and awareness about responsible investment. Check out the RI Week schedule by following the link below.
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RIA Membership Growth
The RIA's membership base continues to grow! We
enthusiastically
welcome the following new members:
View the full RIA Member list
here.
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RIA Insights: Deb Abbey on Diversity
In her latest article for Investment Executive, Deb Abbey explains that corporate boards and executive teams that lack gender and cultural diversity risk missing out on opportunities to generate long-term value.
Read
here
.
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ESG Webinar Series: MSCI ESG Fund Metrics
On September 13, the RIA hosted a webinar overview of MSCI ESG Fund Metrics, featuring Larry Lawrence, Executive Director, ESG Product Management, and Laura Nishikawa, Head of ESG Fixed Income Research at MSCI. A
recording of the webinar is available
here
.
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Upcoming Partner Events
Social Finance Academy: Sep 28-30, Toronto
Hosted by the Smith School of Business, the Social Finance Academy is an intensive three-day immersion in the world of social finance and its implications for maximizing social benefits while achieving financial results. Learn more here.
MaRS Social Finance Forum: Oct. 27-28, Toronto
Connect with social entrepreneurs, impact investors and business leaders at the Social Finance Forum. Hear from dozens of Canadian social ventures as they showcase their latest innovations, services and investment opportunities. Learn from internationally renowned speakers sharing their visions for fairer finance and a brighter future. Learn more
here.
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Q2 Performance Report on RI Funds
The Q2 performance data for responsible investment funds are now available. Below are links to a full chart of RI funds, and a brief highlights report that makes a great handout for clients.
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Upcoming RI Events
Sept 22, Toronto
Sept 22, Webinar
Sept 28-30, Toronto
Oct 17, Toronto
Oct 18, Toronto
ESG AfterWork
Hosted by the RIA
Stay tuned for details.
Oct 19, Toronto
Oct 19, Montréal
Moving to Impact: Responsible Investing in Canada
Oct 19-20, Ottawa
Oct 20, Toronto
Oct 27-28, Toronto
Dec 5-6, Winnipeg
Feb 23-24, 2017, Vancouver
June 1-2, 2017, Vancouver
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RI Job Postings
CoPower, Toronto
MEDA, Waterloo
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Canada's Newest Recipients of RI Certification
Congratulations to Canada's newest recipients of the RIA's financial designations in recognition of expertise in responsible investing:
Julia Chapman (RIS), OPES Investment Management; IPC Investment Corporation
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RI Industry News
G20 Leaders Welcome "Green Finance" in Summit Communiqué
Leaders at last week's G20 Summit welcomed the voluntary options developed by the G20 Green Finance Study Group to scale up private capital for green investment.
More.
PRI to delist underperforming signatories
The PRI announced at its 2016 Signatory General Meeting that it will begin delisting signatories that do not achieve a minimum standard of progress each year.
More.
RIA Members Join Investor Coalition Press G20 to Ratify Paris Agreement
Leading up to the G20 Summit, NEI, AIMCo, Amundi, BMO GAM and OPTrust were among 130 investors who urged global leaders to double their investment in clean energy, strengthen climate disclosure, adopt carbon pricing and phase out fossil fuel subsidies.
Download.
SHARE and OceanRock welcome increased board diversity at Restaurant Brands
SHARE and OceanRock Investments continue to push for increasing gender diversity on the Board and senior management.
More.
Eastern Synod Delegates Overwhelmingly Affirm Responsible Investing
The Evangelical Lutheran Foundation of Eastern Canada has committed to reducing investments in fossil fuels and investing in sustainable energy and clean technology. More.
Meritas SRI Funds to invest with New Market Funds
Meritas SRI Funds is partnering with New Market Funds to deliver affordable rental housing units in
Canada's
largest cities. More.
CPPIB adds human rights as a focus area for engagement
CPP Investment Board, the pension manager for 19 million Canadians, has added human rights as one of its focus areas for engaging with companies in which it invests.
More.
Responsible Investing for new advisors
Fred Pinto (Qtrade Financial Group) and Laurie Stephenson (Starboard Wealth Planners) offer tips for advisors starting out in the RI field.
More.
Institutional and retail investors should heed climate warnings
Wayne Wachell (Genus Capital Management) and Patti Dolan (Dolan Wealth Management, Raymond James) discuss the link between climate change and investment portfolios.
More.
PRI Releases 'Practical Guide to ESG integration for Equity Investing'
To guide investors who are implementing ESG integration techniques, PRI's new publication describes what ESG-integrated analysis is, and how it works in practice.
More.
SASB Issues Engagement Guidance for Investors
The SASB Engagement Guide for Asset Owners & Asset Managers helps investors ask the right questions about material sustainability factors. More.
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ESG News
Bangladesh factory fire kills dozens, injures many more
A fire at a food and cigarette packaging factory in Bangladesh this weekend was the country's worst industrial accident since the Rana Plaza building collapse of 2013. More.
Suncor commits to reducing emissions by 30% by 2030
In its
2016 Report on Sustainability, Suncor Energy announced its new long-term goals focusing on addressing climate change and its relationship with Aboriginal Peoples. More.
Most companies in the dark on conflict minerals
Although conflict mineral monitoring in corporate supply chains is now mandated for U.S. companies, 70% still cannot determine if their supply chains are conflict-mineral free.
More
.
Palm oil giant IOI Group regains RSPO sustainability certification
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil has lifted its certification suspension for the IOI Group after judging it had improved its environmental performance.
More.
Shell CEO sees "Patchwork" of Renewables and Hydrocarbons
A dose of "realism" about the future of hydrocarbons is paramount to achieving an energy transition to renewables, says
Royal Dutch Shell Plc
CEO
Ben van Beurden
. More.
OpenOil has launched a new tool to search through corporate filings of publicly listed extractive companies across multiple jurisdictions, including Canada. More.
S&P Global Ratings proposes new green bond and ESG evaluation tools
S&P Global Ratings is seeking market feedback on two proposed evaluation tools intended to assess risks to sustainability at the individual project and corporate entity levels. More.
New Asia-Pacific indices bringing ESG data to the fore
As regulatory change drives ESG data disclosure in Asia-Pacific, several new ESG indices have launched, bringing visibility to companies performing well across these factors.
More.
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Research & Analysis
China leaps ahead at G20: A carbon market on the horizon
(Sustainalytics)
China's recent ratification of the Paris agreement could lead to the world's largest cap-and-trade scheme, as well as better emissions disclosure from Chinese firms.
More.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Equity Incentives
(MSCI)
Most generously paid CEOs tend to oversee companies that deliver the worst returns, even when pay and performance are measured over the course of many years. More.
Sustainable & 'Fossil Fuel Free' Investments: Considerations for Investors
(Mercer)
The Divest Invest Europe initiative shows a growing trend of strategies (or funds) with policies that restrict exposure to fossil fuel companies.
Download.
The Business Value of Impact Measurement
(GIIN)
This report
looks at the connection between measuring the social and environmental performance of impact investments, and applying that data to create business value. More.
Businesses compliant with
2°
climate change scenario less risky (LAPF and CTI)
A 2-degree model would provide equal or superior returns for shareholders as a traditional growth trajectory during periods of low oil prices. Download.
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Viewpoints
Susan McArthur: Boardroom diversity isn't just how you look, but how you think
RIA Member Susan McArthur writes, "In
order to improve the diversity of thinking around the boardroom table, we have to shake up conventional wisdom on what makes a good board member." More.
Jean Case: Confronting the 4 myths of impact investing
The CEO of the Case Foundation explores some of the myths which may pose barriers to foundations wanting to engage more deeply in impact investing. More.
James Richens: Is climate change becoming a mainstream issue for investors and companies?
Trucost's research editor explores how far companies recognize the importance of climate change and other environmental risks in their decision-making processes. More.
Jon Hale: You Don't Have to Sacrifice Returns for Sustainability
Morningstar's Head of Sustainability Research
believes that the performance of RI funds has been in line with that of conventional funds over time.
More.
Daniel Kern: Climate Change and Sustainable Investing
How can investors help the world meet targets set in the Paris Agreement? From impact investing to low-carbon portfolios, a number of options are beginning to emerge. More.
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Policy & Legal News
Consultation: CSA Consultation Paper 33-404
The purpose of this consultation is to seek comment on proposed regulatory action aimed at enhancing the obligations of advisers, dealers and representatives toward their clients, including preferences for responsible investing.
More.
Consultation: SEC Request for Comment on Disclosure Requirements Relating to Corporate Governance Matters
The SEC is requesting public comment on certain disclosure requirements in Regulation S-K relating to corporate governance matters, among others.
More.
Consultation: Supporting a Strong and Growing Economy: Positioning Canada's Financial Sector for the Future
Deadline: November 15
The Department of Finance Canada has launched the first of a two-stage consultation process on the federal financial sector legislative and regulatory framework, including a
section on emerging risks such as "climate and environmental change
."
More
.
Signature Opportunity: PRI Global Statement on Investor Obligations and Duties
The Global Statement on Investor Obligations and Duties outlines
the need for investors to take account of ESG issues in their investment processes and decision-making, and for policymakers to clarify these obligations and ensure national policies are aligned. More.
Canada to Introduce National Carbon Price in 2016
Environment
Minister Catherine McKenna says Canada will have a national price on carbon emissions by the end of this year. More.
Nearly 60 stock exchanges sign up to UNCTAD sustainability initiative
The Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative's 2016 progress report finds exchanges are increasingly contributing to creating more sustainable capital markets. More.
Investors call on SEC to improve reporting of climate risks
In an unprecedented response, 45 institutional investors representing $1.1 trillion in assets submitted letters to the SEC requesting better material ESG reporting standards.
More
.
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Call for Applications: Climate-Related Disclosure Award
RIA Members are invited to submit applications for the first
International Award on Investor Climate-Related Disclosures, presented by the Office of the Commissioner General for Sustainable Development and the 2° Investing Initiative.
Deadline: October 15.
More.
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Video Spotlight
ClearBridge Investments' Head of ESG Investment Mary Jane McQuillen provides a brief overview of how sustainable investing has evolved over time and the powerful ESG impacts being made as investors engage with public companies. Watch here.
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Submissions
You are invited to submit news to be considered for inclusion in RIA newsletters.
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