Canada Life Asset Management (CLAM) is today proud to join 263 investors from nearly 30 countries in a new campaign urging companies to disclose their environmental impact
Over 1,400 of the world’s highest-impact companies will be engaged in the 2022 Non-Disclosure Campaign, covering over US$24 trillion[1] in global market capitalisation. These companies are estimated collectively to emit more than 4,800 megatonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) annually.
The campaign is spearheaded by CDP, a global non-profit that runs the world’s leading environmental disclosure system. It aims to increase environmental disclosure through CDP among companies that have either never disclosed or have stopped disclosing.
We believe that transparent corporate disclosure is crucial to directing capital towards the transition to net zero. Climate change, deforestation and water security have become material issues to many industries and consistent, comparable data is key to addressing the associated risks and opportunities. Increased corporate transparency on environmental impact is therefore vital for improving company performance and creating a more resilient economy.
David Marchant, Chief Investment Officer, Canada Life Ltd and Managing Director, Canada Life Asset Management, said:
“I am delighted to get behind this initiative. Improving transparency and disclosure will lead to better informed investment decisions and can help investors to better understand the risks associated with their investments. It can also encourage companies to change, reducing their burden on the environment as well as creating more efficient capital markets through improved access to information. I’m convinced this campaign can be a force for good.”
Laurent Babikian, Joint Global Director of Capital Markets at CDP, commented: “Engagement is critical to driving disclosure, and disclosure is the first step to environmental action. Climate change, deforestation and water security present material risks to investments, and companies that are failing to disclose their impact risk trailing behind their competitors in their access to capital.
"We are encouraged by the continued growth and success of this annual campaign and the record levels of participation this year. With a series of mandatory environmental disclosure requirements on the horizon in regions including the US, UK, Japan, EU, New Zealand and India, non-disclosure will no longer be an option for many of these companies.”
Following the 2021 Non-Disclosure Campaign, 25% of companies engaged in the campaign disclosed through CDP, responding to at least one CDP questionnaire. This is more than ever before. The campaign demonstrates that companies are more than twice as likely to disclose data on their environmental impact when directly engaged by investors to do so.
[1] Source: CDP, as at 22 June 2022
About CDP
CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions. Founded in 2000 and working with more than 680 investors with over $130 trillion in assets, CDP pioneered using capital markets and corporate procurement to motivate companies to disclose their environmental impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests. Over 14,000 organizations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2021, including more than 13,000 companies worth over 64% of global market capitalization, and over 1,100 cities, states and regions. Fully TCFD aligned, CDP holds the largest environmental database in the world, and CDP scores are widely used to drive investment and procurement decisions towards a zero carbon, sustainable and resilient economy. CDP is a founding member of the Science Based Targets initiative, We Mean Business Coalition, The Investor Agenda and the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative. Visit cdp.net or follow us @CDP to find out more.
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Canada Life Asset Management is the brand for investment management activities undertaken by Canada Life Asset Management Limited, Canada Life Limited and Canada Life European Real Estate Limited. Canada Life Asset Management Limited (no. 03846821), Canada Life Limited (no.00973271) and Canada Life European Real Estate Limited (no. 03846823) are all registered in England and the registered office for all three entities is Canada Life Place, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 5BA. Canada Life Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Canada Life Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority