Desjardins Funds’ Sustainable line : Our Distinctive Responsible Investment Approach

Pull the lever for change

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An approach that demonstrates our convictions

Our responsible investing approach, outlined in our Responsible Investment Policy, combines several strategies to allow your clients to use their savings as a lever for change.

Our RI conviction

Companies that care as much about their ESG practices as they do about their financial performance are well positioned to seize the opportunities presented by the transition to a more sustainable economy.

Companies selected for more than their financial value

RI security selection strategies*

In addition to analyzing the issuing companies' financial performance, responsible investing takes environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into account in selecting and managing investments.

Professional management

The portfolio manager uses sophisticated tools to select securities and seize the best investment opportunities

Exclusion filters

Companies operating in these industries are excluded:

  • Tobacco
  • Civilian firearms
  • Nuclear energy*
  • Producers and transporters of fossil fuels and specialized transporters

*Nuclear Energy: A Rational Response to a Complex Challenge.

Selection filters

Best in class: Inclusion of emerging leaders and companies that stand out in terms of ESG criteria.

ESG integration

IIn-depth assessment of ESG criteria from a financial perspective.

e.g. climate change

e.g. occupational health and safety

e.g. board of directors’ diversity

Thematic and impact investing

Impact investing aims to generate measurable positive environmental and social outcomes from pre-determined objectives. Thematic investing focuses on a specific theme such as climate change, clean technology or diversity.

Post-investment strategies*

Stewardship activities

Stewardship consists of influencing issuers, policymakers, asset managers and other stakeholders with a view to mitigating risk, optimizing return potential and generating sustainable outcomes in the interests of shareholders and the community.

How we leverage our stewardship:

  • Dialogue with the company
  • Exercising voting rights and submitting shareholder proposals
  • Dialogue with public authorities and key industry players

In 2022, Desjardins engaged in dialogue with 226 companies to discuss ESG issues.

See our Stewardship Policy
*The application of RI strategies may vary depending on the type of investment solution.

Climate: our path to net zero

Desjardins Investments recognizes its role in achieving the goals identified in the Paris Agreement and in ensuring a just and orderly transition to a low-carbon economy.

We set a goal to achieve net zero for Desjardins Funds by 2050 by prioritizing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the real economy, and by joining the Net Zero Asset Manager initiative.

Learn more about the drivers of our path to Net zero.

Positive outcomes

We’re committed to documenting the outcomes of your clients’ investments through:

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  1. Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited. The contributions are based on the annual impact of the assets held in the Desjardins SocieTerra Positive Change Fund portfolio on December 31, 2021. For those holdings that have been in the portfolio for less than the full year, no attempt has been made to pro-rate the contribution. However, as we have a time horizon and aim to invest in our holdings for five to ten years or longer, portfolio turnover will be low. Headline Impact Data, while providing an indication of the impact of the portfolio, are vulnerable to inconsistencies. This may be due to underlying assumptions. How companies measure and report is not always uniform and, in some cases, requires conversion to allow for aggregation across the portfolio. Where information is not available, we do not include a company’s contribution within the Headline Impact Data snapshot.
    Learn more about the average annual residential water consumption per Canadian (about 329 litres of water per day - External link. Opens in a new window..

The Desjardins Funds are not guaranteed, their value fluctuates frequently, and their past performance is not indicative of their future returns. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. The Desjardins Funds are offered by registered dealers.

The Desjardins brand is a trademark of the Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec, used under licence.