Responsible Investment

Responsible investment at Desjardins: the future of your business.

A great way to expand your client base

Studies on responsible investing (RI) have confirmed that businesses with stringent environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices often achieve better financial results1 2.

This trend has only increased now that institutional investors have begun to see the potential in responsible investments, and today RI accounts for nearly 76% of institutional assets in Canada3.

Retail investors are increasingly aware of ESG issues, and most are ready to invest a portion of their portfolios in RI4.

It’s time we start talking about it!

Responsible investments are key to powering your portfolio

  • Potentially positive impact on returns

    In 90 % of cases, factoring in ESG has a neutral or positive impact on returns.

    The returns on responsible investments are just as good–and sometimes better–as those on traditional investments.

    In 90% of instances, factoring in ESG had a neutral or positive impact on returns, according to an analysis of 2000 studies published since 19705.

  • Investments that target results

    The Jantzi Social Index performed better than the traditional S&P TSX index.

    The RI Jantzi Social Index8 tends to surpass the traditional S&P/TSX 606 7 index.

    When you look at the long-term performance numbers, it’s clear that responsible investment products are a wise choice.

  • A sustained growth (in$B)


    In 2018, responsible investment accounts for 50.6% of Canada's investment sector.

    RI now represents 50.6% of Canada's investment industry9.

    82% of investors would like to invest in RI and a majority of them said they would like more than half of their portfolio allocated to RI4.

Desjardins, a leader in responsible investing

As a leader in the field, Desjardins offers one of the most comprehensive lines of responsible investment products in Canada. Offer your clients portfolios that consist entirely of responsible investments and aim for sustainable returns.

Desjardins’s distinctive approach

Desjardins’s responsible investment product line offers an exceptionally broad range of RI strategies.

Exclusion screening

Businesses operating in controversial sectors are excluded.

ESG criteria

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria are incorporated to guide security selection and management.

Best in class

Companies with top ESG performance are included.

Shareholder engagement

Allows investors to influence companies and encourage them to improve their practices.

Thematic investing

We select top companies in sectors that are directly related to an ESG factor (available for certain products).

Useful links

  1. 1. Case study commissioned by the UNPRI (United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment)
    Source:  https://www.unpri.org/listed-equity/linking-esg-ratings-to-returns-and-volatility/164.article  - External link. This link will open in a new window.
  2. 2. Sustainalytics. Understanding Esg Incidents: Key Lessons For Investors, 2017
    Source: https://www.sustainalytics.com/thematic-research-reports/understanding-esg-incidents-report/  - External link. This link will open in a new window.
  3. 3. Estimated with data taken from the RIA Trend reports, 2018
    Source: https://www.riacanada.ca/research/2018-canadian-ri-trends-report/  - External link. This link will open in a new window.
  4. 4. RIA Investor. Opinion Survey, 2017
    Source: https://www.riacanada.ca/research/2017-ria-investor-opinion-survey/  - External link. This link will open in a new window.
  5. 5. Gunnar Friede, Timo Busch & Alexander Bassen (2015)
  6. 6. Annual compound return of the indices from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2017
    Source: https://www.sustainalytics.com/  - External link. This link will open in a new window.
  7. 7. The S&P/TSX 60 Index is designed to represent leading companies in leading industries. Its 60 stocks make it ideal for coverage of companies with large market capitalizations and a cost-efficient way to achieve Canadian equity exposure. The S&P/TSX 60 Index also represents the Canadian component of Standard & Poor’s flagship S&P Global 1200 Index.
    Source: https://www.tmxmoney.com/fr/  - External link. This link will open in a new window.
  8. 8. The Jantzi Social Index (JSI) a socially screened, market capitalization-weighted common stock index modelled on the S&P/TSX 60, consisting of 60 Canadian companies that pass a set of broadly based environmental, social and governance rating criteria.
    Source: https://www.sustainalytics.com/ - External link. This link will open in a new window.
  9. 9. RIA Trend reports, 2018
    Source: https://www.riacanada.ca/2018-ri-trends-report/  - External link. This link will open in a new window.
  10. Desjardins Funds are not guaranteed, their value fluctuates frequently and their past performance is not indicative of their future returns. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. The Desjardins Funds are offered by registered dealers.