Where you bank matters. Every time you put money in a bank account, you're giving decision-making power over where your money goes, what gets funded, and who benefits.
That means, even if you do your best to be sustainable in your everyday life, your bank may still be investing in fossil fuels.
Vancity members know their money works for things that matter, like climate action.
Vancity has five climate commitments to help build a clean and fair world.
Our ambition is to make Vancity net-zero by 2040 across all our mortgages and loans. That means the carbon emitted from anything we finance will be eliminated or significantly reduced, with any remaining emissions being brought to net-zero.
We will help our members invest for the future we need by offering only responsible investment options that can demonstrate the integrity of their Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) screening and stewardship process.
We focus our work in financial and social inclusion to provide banking and other solutions to help people who are affected by the climate emergency, as well as those seeking support in transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable living.
We encourage change within the financial services sector by accurately measuring and openly reporting on how our own actions are improving the well-being of people, communities and the environment. We aim to continue implementing, testing, and helping improve emerging international standards for climate and impact reporting.
We will live our values in our daily decision-making in order to serve the diverse needs of our members, staff, and communities. We will do our part across our operations to contribute to a just climate transition.
1986
Vancity offers Canada's first socially responsible mutual fund, the Ethical Growth Fund.
1990
First in Canada to give 5% of its credit card profits towards local environmental projects. By 2023, Vancity enviroFund™ has given over $14 million in grants to BC organizations.
2001
Vancity members voted to award the first annual $1-million Vancity Award to Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) to build the Central Valley Greenway—a 24-kilometre pedestrian and cyclist route to run from New Westminster to Vancouver.
2004
Vancity is the first in Canada to offer specialized financing for energy efficient home renovations through the introduction of Vancity's Bright Ideas Home Financing.
2005
Vancity is the first financial institution in North America to win a Ceres-ACCA North American Sustainability Reporting Award for its environmental, social and financial sustainability reporting.
2007
Vancity achieves carbon neutrality; a first for a North American-based financial institution. Through a rigorous emissions reduction program, Vancity reaches this goal two years earlier than planned.
2019
Vancity signs the GABV Climate Change Commitment pledging to measure and disclose the carbon impact of our loans and investments.
2020
Vancity was the first Canadian financial institution to join the UN's Collective Commitment to Climate Action and becomes North America's representative on the Board overseeing the implementation of the Principles.
2021
Vancity sets ambitious climate commitments, including achieving net-zero by 2040 across all its mortgages and loans.
2021
Vancity Investment Management (VCIM) becomes a founding participant of Climate Engagement Canada, an investor-led engagement initiative to promote a just transition towards net-zero.
2021
Vancity Community Investment Bank partners with the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation to refinance the second-largest wind farm in Ontario.
2022
Vancity is the first Canadian financial institution to set reduction targets for financed emissions under the guidelines of the UN Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA).
2022
Vancity is the first in Canada to offer credit card holders the option to estimate the carbon footprint that comes from their purchases.
2022
Vancity Community Investment Bank (VCIB) finances the world’s largest wastewater energy transfer project to supply renewable energy to Toronto Western Hospital.
2022
Vancity Investment Management (VCIM) commits to reach net-zero by 2040 in its portfolio coverage.
2024
Learn moreThe climate emergency requires immediate action. It also demands a bold vision for a resilient economy that works for more people, so nobody is left behind as we transition to a cleaner economy.
How do we fund climate action? A portion of day-to-day deposits go towards community investments to support initiatives that promote sustainable jobs, decarbonization of businesses, and partnerships to help more people be part of the climate transition.
Join the movement. It's time to put your money where your values are.
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