In late 2019, Ontario Nature’s Board of Directors agreed to undergo a thorough review and potential adjustment of its investment policy to better align investment goals with the charity’s mandate.
The process included reviewing Ontario Nature’s current investment policies and making recommendations for investment objectives and asset management strategies. This would become the framework to transition Ontario Nature’s investment practices to an Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) model.
Snow geese © Gary Potts
ESG investing has become increasingly prevalent. Many organizations, institutions and individuals are choosing to invest in corporate initiatives that embrace sound practices with resource management, Indigenous relations and social considerations. Many asset management firms have ESG models and measurements to respond to the growing investor demand to invest with a strong ethical mandate.
Typically, ESG management focuses on three pillars.
Environment: Climate change, resources use/depletion, water security, deforestation, biodiversity and habitat preservation.
Social: Human rights, diversity and inclusion, working conditions, and employee relations.
Governance: Board effectiveness and diversity, executive compensation, corruption and tax strategies.
There is robust evidence that reflects equal to or superior investment returns that occur when corporations opt to align with strong ESG principles.
Ontario Nature’s revised investment policy has been in place since late 2021. Its asset management firm has helped us achieve investment goals and ethical investments.
Ontario Nature’s ESG portfolio.
Ontario Nature’s board and staff are proud of the work that we undertook to better align our investment policies and practices with our values and mandate to protect wild species and wild spaces through education, conservation and public engagement.
I believe that we can all make a difference when our hearts, minds and money are in the right place.
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