Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 95% of Canadian institutional investors expect companies to intensify Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) integration across their operations and leadership.
This is based on the 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report, which also reported that 95% of the investors deprioritized ESG considerations due to the economic implications of COVID-19 on the businesses they invest in.
The research surveyed 600 financial analysts, chief investment officers and portfolio managers across the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, the Netherlands and Japan. Altogether the firms collectively manage more than $20 trillion in assets, according to a statement.
“With investors increasingly tracking positions on factors such as climate change and diversity and inclusion, ESG integration is essential for Canadian businesses to meet this new universal standard. This is true despite the financial and operational challenges posed by the pandemic.”
Nina Godard, National Financial Communications Lead, Edelman Canada
