The Canadian financial services co-operative maps out its journey to net-zero emissions and strengthens investments for a more sustainable economy

GUELPH, ON, June 28, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, The Co-operators Group Limited announced net-zero targets for its investments and operations, joining a growing movement of financial services organizations helping to define a path for the crucial transition to a more sustainable, zero-emissions economy. The Canadian financial services co-operative, with over $57.8 billion in assets under management, will be net-zero in both its operations and its investments, by 2040 and 2050, respectively. In addition, by 2030, it will invest 60% of its invested assets into impact investments or those that support the transition to a sustainable, resilient, low-emissions society.

To measurably demonstrate progress towards these goals, The Co-operators is setting interim targets and milestones, outlined below. The company is also the first Canadian insurer and second Canadian organization to officially sign on to the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, an international group of institutional investors working to transition investment portfolios to net-zero emissions by 2050.

"There is no question that collectively, we must significantly reduce our emissions to mitigate the increasing risks and impacts of our changing climate," says Rob Wesseling, President & CEO of The Co-operators, "As a purpose-driven organization, The Co-operators has historically embraced our role to embed sustainability into all our investment and operational decisions. Today, our climate targets further reflect our intention to use our financial and co-operative strength to lead positive change toward a net-zero-emissions future."

"Fundamental to our mission of providing financial security for Canadians and our communities is ensuring that we help protect the long-term health, sustainability and well-being of the planet and the societies that it supports," Karen Higgins, Chief Financial Officer of The Co-operators. "Setting these targets and joining the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance are natural extensions of our co-operative identity and are crucial to maintain the financial strength of our organization, our sector and our economy.

A journey to net zero

Further to its 2018 Climate Commitment and moving beyond the achievement of 100% carbon neutral equivalency in 2020, The Co-operators has mapped a journey to net zero via its investments and operations.

Net-zero operations by 2040

• 2030: Reduce emissions of our operations by 45%
• 2040: Emissions of our operations will be net-zero.

The Co-operators will reduce the direct emissions (Scope one) and indirect emissions (Scopes two and three) of its operations. This includes emissions resulting from activities such as natural gas usage, fleet vehicles, building electricity usage, financial advisor offices, business travel, and more.

Net-zero investments by 2050

• 2026: Reduce the emissions of our investments by 20% (public equities and publicly-traded corporate bond portfolios)
• 2050: Our investment portfolio will be net-zero

New interim targets will be set every four years, and we will disclose progress towards investment goals at least annually.

Impact investing for a sustainable future

By 2030, The Co-operators will invest 60% of its total invested assets in either impact investments or investments that support the transition to a sustainable, resilient, low-emissions society.

Through asset management company Addenda Capital, part of The Co-operators group of companies, The Co-operators currently invests 20.8% ($2.45 billion) of its total portfolio into impact investments that measurably address the worlds pressing environmental and social issues. Examples of impact investments include funding renewable energy projects, green bonds, food security projects, and more. 75% of these investments are directed towards funding climate-related investments and solutions.

More information on The Co-operators impact investments is available here.

For more information regarding:

• The Co-operators carbon neutral equivalency, impact investing performance, climate-related advocacy, partnerships, and more, view The Co-operators 2020 Integrated Annual Report at integratedreport.cooperators.ca 
• Climate-related risks and opportunities, view The Co-operators 2020 Task Force for Climate-Related Financial Disclosures Report.
• Addenda Capital's sustainable investing, impact investing, and climate transition investing approach, view their sustainable and impact solutions here.

About The Co-operators

The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian co-operative with more than $57.8 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies, it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability, and the organization achieved net carbon neutrality in 2020. The Co-operators is ranked as a Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizen in Canada and listed among the Best Employers in Canada by Kincentric. For more information visit: www.cooperators.ca.

About Addenda Capital

Addenda Capital is a privately-owned investment management firm with more than $38 billion in total assets under administration. The firm has long integrated environmental, social and governance issues into its investment processes for a clientele that comprises both institutional investors and high net worth individuals. Addenda invests for a better future and offers a broad range of solutions, which include impact, climate transition and sustainable strategies. The firm promotes proactive stewardship, an approach that incorporates meaningful engagement with companies on issues such as their environmental strategies, diversity and inclusion, working conditions and sound governance.

SOURCE The Co-operators Group Limited