Fonds de solidarité FTQ Launches Energy Transition Plan Respectful of Workers

Fonds de solidarité FTQ withdraws from the coal sector

Highlights

• 10 companies which own coal reserves for energy purposes are now on the Fonds' list of excluded stocks and bonds.
• The Fonds signs CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project).
• These measures are namely in addition to the Fonds' investments which favour an energy transition.
• The Lion Electric Co. (electric school buses)
• XPNDCROISSANCE (TÉO electric taxis)
• Enerkem (biofuels manufactured from waste)
• The purchase of $22.9 million of green bonds issued by the Government of Québec

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 30, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - On the occasion of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held today in Montréal, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ announced new measures to favour an energy transition that respects workers. The 2017 Annual and Sustainability Report was also presented during the meeting.

First, the Fonds has disposed of its investments in companies which own coal reserves for energy purposes. These companies have also been added to the Fonds' list of excluded stocks and bonds.

The Fonds has also joined CDP, formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project. Founded in 2002, the non-profit organization and its signatories encourage companies to take stock of and reduce their GHG emissions. Today, over 800 institutional investors are signatories of CDP, representing $100 trillion in assets under management.

Lastly, the Fonds' Sustainable Development Committee will begin looking at other energy transition measures. As a socially responsible investor concerned about sustainable development, the Fonds wants to actively participate in Québec and Canada's efforts to reach their Paris Agreement climate change goals.

It will be recalled that the Fonds de solidarité FTQ recently announced that its forestry management company Solifor participated in the sale of 140,000 tonnes of carbon credits. The Fonds also uses the services of SHARE (Shareholder Association for Research and Education), a Canadian organization committed to helping public companies implement responsible investment policies and practices. 

Quote

"Through its mission and environmentally responsible investing approach, the Fonds takes concrete steps every day to help build a socially responsible and sustainable economy. We will continue on this path in an effort to stimulate the development of a strong, prosperous and vibrant economy."
Gaétan Morin, President and CEO, Fonds de solidarité FTQ

About the Fonds de solidarité FTQ

The Fonds de solidarité FTQ is a development capital investment fund that channels the savings of Quebecers into investments. As at May 31, 2017, the organization had $13.1 billion in net assets, and through its current portfolio of investments has helped create and protect 186,440 jobs. The Fonds is a partner in more than 2,700 companies and has 645,664 shareholder-savers. Please visit www.fondsftq.com for more information.

SOURCE Fonds de solidarité FTQ