Investor Briefs

Increasingly responsible investors recognize that companies demonstrating good environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance are more likely to prosper financially over the long term.

Environment

• A Review of CAPP’s “Hydraulic Fracturing Operating Practices”

  The Operating Practices guide water management and seek to improve practices for shale gas development in Canada. We review key requirements under each Practice and discuss their strengths and weaknesses with respect to how they might contribute to mitigating risk.
  

• Hydraulic Fracturing & Water Pollution

  Investor risks from North America’s shale gas boom

• FSC Certification Adds Value to Timberlands Investments

  Protecting the value of Canada’s timberland investments: The role of FSC certification

• Addressing Toxics in Consumer Products

  A closer look at investor risks from toxic chemicals in the supply chain.

• The Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline

  This project presents a number of environmental and social risks to investors. We examine those risks, and some of the steps that Enbridge and its shareholders are taking— or could take—to mitigate them.

• What Investors Need to Know About Reclamation Risks in the Oil Sands

  Only 0.2% of disturbed land has been certified as reclaimed by the government of Alberta and no tailings pond has been reclaimed to date.

Social

• Investor Guidance on Occupational Health and Safety in Canada

  This guidance document is designed to assist investors in assessing how well companies are meeting their obligation/responsibility to provide a safe and healthy workplace by outlining general best practice principles for Canadian companies.

• Conflict Minerals and the Eastern Congo: Implications for Investors

  This brief reviews the key issues related to the trade in conflict minerals, including conflict-minerals related risks and engagement recommendations for investors who want to manage these risks in their portfolios. It provides an overview of recent efforts aimed at addressing conflict minerals in the supply chain and provides a roadmap for investors to engage companies in implementing responsible supply chains.

• Cleaning Up

  An assessment of progress by commercial real estate companies and commercial property tenants in implementing responsible contracting and procurement policies in the area of property services.

• Fair Trade Coffee

  While the coffee industry has brought huge profits to roasters and retailers, producers are receiving an ever-diminishing share of the profits that often does not cover the cost of production.

• Responsible Property Investing and Property Management

  Exploring the Impacts of Good Labour Practices on Property Performance