VCIM is committed to net-zero, and calling for more.

The Vancity Group, which includes Vancity Investment Management (VCIM), is committed to doing its part to build a transformed economy that protects the earth and guarantees equity for all.

VCIM is an investment manager for individual and institutional investor portfolios. VCIM’s climate risk strategy is a key element of its unique approach to investment, which focusses on socially responsible investing (SRI) and includes divestment from fossil fuel companies.

VCIM’s focus on climate action complements Vancity’s ambition to become net-zero by 2040 across all mortgages and loans.

Taking a stand.

A signatory to the UN’s Principles for Responsible Investment since 2009, VCIM deepened its climate commitment by joining The Net Zero Asset Managers initiative in 2021.

In late 2022, recognizing the need for world governments to do more, VCIM joined more than 600 signatories representing almost $42 trillion (US) in assets under management in the Global Investor Statement. Releasing the Statement ahead of the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27), signatories called on governments to entrench five climate priorities into national legislation.

VCIM is a signatory to a number of other international climate pledges, and it recognizes the need to back these commitments with tangible action.

Committing to portfolio emissions reductions.

Vancity Group has already committed to reaching net-zero by 2040 across all mortgages and loans. It set a firm pathway to achieving this commitment when its 2025 interim targets were confirmed.

In late 2021, upon joining the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, VCIM took a further step and committed to achieving net-zero by 2040 in its portfolio coverage.

VCIM has now set interim asset and portfolio-level targets for carbon emissions reductions in alignment with the initiative’s framework. These can be summarized as follows:

• Portfolio coverage target: 90% of Assets Under Management in material sectors will be net-zero by 2030, with 100% net-zero by 2040.
• Portfolio decarbonization reference target: VCIM will maintain its carbon footprint below each funds’ respective benchmark with key check points of interim targets at 2030 and 2040. As the benchmark footprint declines towards net-zero, VCIM’s footprint will equal it by 2040.
• Engagement threshold target: 75% of financed emissions will be aligned with net-zero or subject to engagement by 2025, and 90% by 2030.

To achieve these targets, VCIM will significantly increase the percentage of assets held in its portfolios that align to net-zero. It will also increase the percentage of its portfolios representing companies with which it is actively engaging to help them achieve net-zero emissions.

Having already reduced its managed portfolios’ carbon footprint through a fossil fuel-free strategy, these targets set benchmarks and a roadmap for VCIM’s continued progress towards net-zero. VCIM is committed to transparency and will continually report on its progress.

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Explore our shareholder engagement report for a comprehensive look at how VCIM uses the power of stakeholder engagement to encourage businesses to help build a clean and fair world: