Responsible Investing

Our Responsible Investing Framework

Responsible investing is a spectrum—and there are no universally accepted classifications.

The spectrum, like our framework, will continue to evolve to reflect new investment strategies and solutions .

To provide clarity and insight on how we view responsible investing, we have classified the current investment approaches available across the industry into the categories below.

A chart depicting Sun Life Global Investments’ Responsible Investing spectrum. The chart defines and compares six different responsible investment approaches: Ethical (values-based) screening, ESG integration, ESG negative screening, ESG positive screening, sustainability-focused, and impact first investing. The first five categories have a primary objective of achieving competitive returns. The last two (sustainability-focused and impact first) have a primary objective of societal and environmental impact—which means that sustainability-focused investing overlaps and has two equally important primary objectives. In addition to each category within the spectrum, it is important to consider whether an investment manager is an active steward and engages with sub-advisors and/or underlying companies to influence ESG policy. You should also consider whether they have an explicit net zero glidepath embedded in their strategy.

At Sun Life Global Investments, we do not currently offer any solutions that fall under the ethical screening or impact first categories.

Principles of responsible investing (PRI)

We are a signatory to the PRI as an asset manager, and as such we are bound to the six core principles for responsible investment:

Incorporate ESG factors into our investment analysis and decision-making processes.

Be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.

Seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues from the sub-advisors as well as corporations in which we invest.

Promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles across the industry.

Work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.

Report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.

Our approach to responsible investing

ESG integration

As a manager of managers, we believe that environmental, social, and governance considerations need to be integrated where relevant to effectively support overall value generation and risk management.

Read the Q&A

Approach to stewardship

 We believe our sub-advisors have an important stewardship role to play. We also have a role to play with our sub-advisors and in the industry.

Learn more about our approach

Sustainability-focused solution

A large proportion of sustainable opportunities are for the provision of clean water, energy and food; discover Sun Life KBI Sustainable Infrastructure—a strategy focused on capitalizing on these opportunities.

Learn more about this Fund

Featured articles & Events

Climate change affects us all

The warming of the planet affects us all, but the impact is not always observable or uniformly distributed. However, there are solutions that will allow us to build cleaner, more resilient economies.

Learn how

Divestment or engagement?

We believe engagement is the key to influencing real change—and to future investment success.

Learn why

Sustainable infrastructure

There are so many sustainable investing opportunities in global infrastructure.

Find out why

On Target Thematic interviews with leaders from across the organization

The ES&G of ESG
 

An interview with Anne Meloche, Head of Institutional Business, on the increased focus on sustainability and ESG investing.
 

Read the interview

Pursuing sustainability: a continual evolution
 

An interview with Adelina Romanelli, Director, Responsible Investing, on our approach to responsible investing.
 

Read the interview

Follow Sun Life Global Investments Institutional on LinkedIn.

All investment solutions are offered as segregated funds for group retirement plans exclusively by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, through Sun Life Group Retirement Services, a member of the Sun Life group of companies.

 

Sun Life Global Investments is a trade name of SLGI Asset Management Inc., Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, and Sun Life Financial Trust Inc. 

SLGI Asset Management Inc. is the investment manager of the Sun Life Mutual Funds.

© SLGI Asset Management Inc. and its licensors, 2024. SLGI Asset Management Inc. is a member of the Sun Life group of companies. All rights reserved.