Case study

Desjardins – Action Plan for Net Zero Emissions (Canada)

Last update: 27 April 2021

Key facts

Desjardins Group (Canada) has announced an ambitious action plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 in its extended operations and in its lending activities and own investments in three key carbon-intensive sectors: energy, transportation and real estate.

Context

For the first five years of its plan leading up to 2040, Desjardins has committed to:

Focusing on and supporting large corporations in carbon-intensive sectors that:
– Demonstrate solid environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.
– Factor in climate risk.
– Set credible targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Increasing its support for the renewable energy sector by:
– Boosting the share allocated to renewables in its lending to energy corporations from 24% in 2020 to 35% in 2025.
– Building a CAD 2 billion investment portfolio in renewable energy infrastructure (an increase of 66% over 2020).
– Providing financial support for five development projects to convert organic waste (largely from agriculture) into renewable energy (biomethanisation).

“At Desjardins, we want to help our members and clients make well-informed decisions. One of the ways we can do that is by offering products and services that improve their environmental footprint. Through our plan and the actions we’ve taken to date, we’re meeting our members’ and clients’ financial needs while addressing their concerns about the climate crisis,” added Cormier.

Desjardins Group is confident that it can achieve these ambitious goals and will track its progress using the latest science-based climate research and knowledge. The organisation has joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials to accurately measure its GHG emissions (lending and investing activities) using recognised methods.

Mechanisms: Investments
Hazards: Climate Change, Multi hazard

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