Stewardship investing
At CDPQ, we invest constructive capital knowing that performance and progress go hand in hand. By directing capital toward a greener and more equitable transition, we can generate growth while contributing to a more sustainable world.
Key figures
-38%
Decrease in our portfolio’s carbon intensity since 2017
43%
Representation of women on our Board of Directors as at December 31, 2020
355
Total ESG analyses conducted by our teams in 2020
Our priorities
Our investment strategy to address climate change aims to contribute to the transition toward a low-carbon economy and achieve a carbon-neutral portfolio by 2050.
We steadfastly promote a corporate culture founded on these fundamental principles, both to achieve our business objectives and to build stronger communities.
We focus on different areas to support responsible practices by our portfolio companies, firmly believing that sound governance is a reflection of their solidity and durability.
We support portfolio companies in creating lasting value by focusing on business opportunities that deliver growth and long-term performance.
Our stewardship investing levers of influence
We rigorously use multiple levers of influence in a structured way to boost the performance of our portfolio companies and managers.
- Strategic projects
Deploy strategies, policies and initiatives reflective of the changes in major ESG trends - Leadership
Maximize the impact of our actions by engaging with our peers and the financial ecosystem on local and international collaborative platforms - Awareness
Work with our investment teams and nominee directors to deepen their understanding of ESG issues - Factoring in ESG
Assess and integrate ESG performance into investment and management processes - Shareholder vote
Exercise our right to vote to support our stewardship investing convictions and priorities - Engagement
Conduct ongoing dialogue with our portfolio companies and managers to promote ESG best practices
Our most recent commitments
An overview of CDPQ’s commitments in the context of our stewardship investing strategy:
Say on Climate
- Joined the initiative in May 2021
- Aims to encourage shareholders to vote on action plans to address climate change
Tobacco-Free Finance Pledge
- Signed in December 2020
- Underscores the leadership of financial institutions that have adopted tobacco-free finance policies and encourages other institutions to do the same
CEO statement of Canada’s eight largest pension fund managers
- Signed in November 2020
- Calls on companies and investors to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth through better ESG disclosure and reporting
Sustainable development
In 2021, we published our Sustainable Development Plan with three strategic orientations and 10 commitments to carry out over the year to generate positive and durable social and environmental impacts.