Client demand for responsible investment solutions is surging

Advisors can rely on NEI for RI leadership

We believe that a disciplined investment process must consider more than just a company’s balance sheet, but also its impact on the environment and society. That’s responsible investing at it’s best.

NEI has a proven history of thought leadership in responsible investing. For 30 years we have helped define, shape and integrate RI as an attractive approach for Canadian investors. NEI has shown that expectations of strong financial performance and rigorous environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices can create an investment option that aligns your clients’ values with their investment goals.

RI Due Diligence primer

Include RI in your practice with this deep-dive guide. It follows our process for selecting world-class sub-advisors. Pick the best managers and investment products for your clients.

Here’s what leadership looks like:

Innovative Investment Solutions

NEI has the highest number of RI funds and more assets under management as a percentage of total assets than any other investment manager in Canada. From single-ticket balanced solutions to thematic standalone mandates, you can be confident we have the solutions required to meet your clients’ RI needs.

Policy advocacy

We consult with governments, regulators and organizations that set national and global standards for responsible investment and corporate performance. Through policy-focused advocacy, we can help lock best practices for companies into a set of standards that make it easier for responsible investors, companies and all their stakeholders to move forward together.

Global Expertise

We partner with some of the top investment managers in the world, giving us access to exceptional expertise, unique mandates and powerful alliances, enabling us to operate with the clout of a $7 trillion company.

Practice management

As you build and grow your business, NEI offers the support you need to fully integrate responsible investment best practices and solutions. We offer dozens of webinars throughout the year, comprehensive due diligence events, access to NEI portfolio managers and sub- advisors, and tools to help you build RI portfolios and discuss them with your clients.

Active Ownership

NEI’s industry-leading corporate engagement program is consistently rated A+ by the Principles for Responsible Investment. Through corporate engagement, our goal is to protect shareholder value while influencing accountability to all stakeholders. Investors can feel better about their portfolios knowing NEI is acting as their “voice” at the table, helping companies improve their ESG performance.

From the NEI 2021 Focus List:

The ESG team at NEI has identified three distinct engagement themes for the year:

Human Rights

We will apply our influence to ensure companies are proactive in assessing, evaluating, and addressing human rights risks in the areas of supply chain, tech governance, and Indigenous rights.

Companies in focus include:

  • Alphabet
  • Facebook
  • Canadian National Railway

Inequality

One way to bridge the inequality gap is for shareholders to advocate for a broader, stakeholder- centric approach to business. We’re looking at four areas within this theme: human capital, equitable compensation, diversity and inclusion, and equitable access.

Companies in focus include:

  • Amazon
  • Walmart
  • AstraZeneca
  • Canada’s “big 5” banks

Energy Transition

Under the high-level theme of energy transition, we’re engaging in the areas of net-zero commitments, alignment to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures framework, and plastics circularity.

Companies in focus include:

  • Suncor Energy
  • Loblaw Companies
  • Nutrien

The NEI advantage

Helping you achieve your investing goals while making a difference

1

A proactive, disciplined investment process

Seeks positive returns and positive impact while reducing risk.

2

Sourcing from the best portfolio managers around the world

Access to exceptional expertise, unique mandates and powerful alliances managing $7 trillion globally.

3

30+ years of experience and leadership in responsible investing

Invest for the future with Canada’s most committed and forward-thinking environmental, social and governance (ESG) team.

Get your
RI Due Diligence Primer

Include RI in your practice with this deep-dive guide. It follows our process for selecting world-class sub-advisors. Pick the best managers and investment products for your clients.