Eighty per cent of canadian investors are worried about climate change, reveals a survey from theAssociation for responsible investment (AIR).
The opinion Poll of investors of the AIR 2018, which is based on a survey conducted by Ipsos from 800 individual investors in Canada, also outlines that 70 % of them consider climate change as a financial issue which will have negative financial consequences for companies in some sectors over the next five years. For 79 %, this will happen within 20 years.
The results of the survey, sponsored by AGF Management Limited (AGF), reveal that 66 % of investors would like to see a part of their portfolio is invested in companies providing solutions to climate change and other environmental challenges.
The investors surveyed have indicated that they would like their financial service providers to practise responsible investment : 86 % of respondents agreed that the financial advisors and the financial institutions should be informed of the manner in which the risks of environmental, social and governance could affect their investments. In addition, 81 % feel that their financial services provider informs them of responsible investments that align with their values.
“Canadian investors understand that climate change poses financial risks and wish to invest in solutions that are responsible. This highlights a very interesting opportunity for investment professionals, ” stresses Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the Association for responsible investment.
“We are convinced that the integration of the consideration of ESG factors in our decision-making process in terms of investment and in our practices in matters of property it will help to enhance outcomes of investments of our customers — and this is true for all our investment management teams,” added Kevin McCreadie, chief investment officer, AGF.