CDPQ recognized as one of the 50 most innovative companies on climate matters
On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Corporate Knights recognized CDPQ’s ambition to place climate change at the very heart of its investment strategy. The magazine also highlighted our significant contribution to a low-carbon economy.
CDPQ is in good company with the 50 climate leaders, including key world players such as IBM, AXA, Microsoft, Google, HP and Norges Bank, who have contributed to protecting the environment over the last five decades.
Unprecedented mobilization around climate change was a highlight of 2019. In the financial sector, significant advances were made on climate matters. At CDPQ, we have been working on this issue for several years and have made great strides in supporting our convictions, actions and influence in these matters.
More than 20 years of leadership based on a collective and global approach
For Kim Thomassin, Executive Vice-President and Head of Québec Investments and Stewardship Investing, all sectors must be involved in order to contribute effectively to the fight against climate change. “During the year, we will continue with a global approach by soliciting collaboration from our teams and mobilizing our partners at all levels. Because together we can change things,” she said.
“Together we can contribute effectively to the fight against climate change”, said Ms. Thomassin.
Our initiatives are a natural fit to this approach. In 2004, we published our first responsible investment strategy. Two years later, we were one of the founding members of the United Nation’s (UN) Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), bringing our commitment to the world stage. In 2017, we were one of the first international investors to make climate a priority, at the very heart of our investment strategy. Since then, we have adopted investment solutions adapted to climate issues in addition to setting carbon-reduction targets, a first in North America.
In recent years, to drive our actions even further, we have committed, along with our peers in the Investor Leadership Network, to work together on the sustainability and long-term growth issues. Furthermore, in September 2019, alongside other major international investors such as Allianz and CalPERS and on the UN’s initiative, we founded the Net-Zero Alliance, with the common objective of having a carbon-neutral portfolio by 2050. Our conviction: Through collaboration we can achieve our most ambitious sustainability and climate objectives.
For more information about all our activities, please consult our Stewardship Investing Web page.