Desjardins doubles line of responsible-investment products

Desjardins is increasing its lineup of responsible investment products with 11 new products for investors who want to grow their investments with ESG mandates. With the new additions, the firm’s responsible-investment lineup now includes more than 20 products.

“As a cooperative financial institution, Desjardins is a natural leader in the responsible investing movement,” said Guy Cormier, President and CEO of Desjardins Group. “We're determined to keep pace with other leaders in the sector—it's what our members and clients want, and it's the right thing to do.”

The Desjardins SocieTerra suite has been expanded with three new funds, including a Canadian first:

• Desjardins SocieTerra International Equity Fund, which invests in companies outside Canada and the US that are concerned about ESG impacts;
• Desjardins SocieTerra Emerging Markets Equity Fund, the first in Canada to invest in emerging-market companies that consider the ESG impacts of their activities; and
• Desjardins SocieTerra Positive Change Fund, which invests in companies worldwide whose products, services, or behaviour contribute to building a more sustainable world for the future

Aside from that, the firm has launched a line of six new RI ETFs, which seek exposure to companies that aim for a lower carbon footprint:

Desjardins has also announced a multi-factor, low-CO2 ETF focused on emerging markets, as well as a global multifactor ETF that totally excludes fossil-fuel companies. Those two funds are coming soon.

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