Shaping the future of sustainable finance
Subscribe to our NewsletterThe Institute for Sustainable Finance is a multi-disciplinary network of research and professional development that brings together academia, the private sector, and government to shape Canada’s innovations in sustainable finance.
Sustainable Investing - Virtual Program
Learn sustainable investing strategies that are transforming finance.
This program will provide the key components and considerations for sustainable investing and ESG assessment, including deeper dives into integrating ESG into securities selection and portfolio management processes, and best practices for stewardship and engagement.
Canada’s Transition & Green Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance
As a Knowledge Partner for the Sustainable Finance Action Council’s taxonomy work, the ISF has created resources for understanding sustainable finance taxonomies and their development, and the importance of a Transition and Green Taxonomy for Canada.
ISF Briefing Note: Financing Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
A new briefing note from the ISF clarifies the challenge of financing adaptation and resilience infrastructure to protect Canadians from the effects of climate change, and proposes a plan to find the solutions.
Partial Disclosure: Assessing the state of physical and transition climate risk disclosure in Canada
A new ISF study takes a close look at the state of climate-related risk disclosures by Canadian firms and finds they are often lacking in terms of quantity and quality.
What is Sustainable Finance?
The Canadian Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance defines it as: capital flows, risk management activities, and financial processes that assimilate environmental and social factors as a means of promoting sustainable economic growth and the long-term sustainability of the financial system.
In its simplest form, this means aligning our financial systems and services to promote long-term environmental sustainability and economic prosperity. Learn more about Sustainable Finance through our Primer Series.
Ryan Riordan, Distinguished Professor of Finance at Smith School of Business and director of research at the Institute for Sustainable Finance explains sustainable finance.
Newsblog
June 1, 2023
Webinar, June 13: Understanding Indigenous Economic Reconciliation
Indigenous economic reconciliation means fostering an appreciation for Indigenous ways of life and values in an economic context. It means respecting Indigenous sovereignty and the inclusion of Indigenous peoples, communities and businesses in Canada’s economy. As we observe National Indigenous History Month in June, it is important to recognize that while progress is being made, there is still much work ahead. On Tuesday, June 13 at 1 p.m. (EDT), join Smith Business Insight and the Institute for Sustainable Finance for this free 60-minute webinar. Led by Hillary Thatcher, managing director, Indigenous and northern infrastructure at Canada Infrastructure Bank, and moderated by Business Insight’s Meredith Dault, participants will explore how business leaders can better understand Indigenous issues and make a real contribution to reconciliation.
May 23, 2023
Global warming set to break key 1.5C limit for first time: BBC
"Researchers say there's now a 66% chance we will pass the 1.5C global warming threshold between now and 2027. The chances are rising due to emissions from human activities and a likely El Niño weather pattern later this year," reports the BBC. "If the world passes the limit, scientists stress the breach, while worrying, will likely be temporary."