DGAM: A leader in responsible investment
Responsible investment (RI) is a pillar of our asset management philosophy. We integrate RI best practices across all our strategies and at every stage of our investment approach.
Our convictions
At Desjardins Global Asset Management (DGAM), we work to protect our clients’ long-term interests and grow their assets sustainably, while positively influencing the business practices of issuers.
Making a difference through active stewardship
Dialogue and proxy voting are powerful tools for influencing corporate behaviour—leading to better practices and an improved risk-return profile.
RI: A core part of our fiduciary role
We incorporate ESG factors into every stage of our analysis, selection and monitoring process—fulfilling our responsibility as asset managers.
Driving innovation through informed action
We think innovation starts with action, based on facts and supported by a comprehensive research process.
Creating long-term value through RI
Our long-term approach to RI enables us to focus on sustainability.
Our approach to responsible investing
We take action both before and after we invest.
Our ESG integration model
We use our own methodology to evaluate environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria and to categorize issuers in different sectors based on their ESG practices. This helps us understand the risks and opportunities in each sector and assess how companies are performing on ESG issues.
How we apply ESG criteria depends on the mandate we’re managing. We’re always working to innovate and develop solutions that match our clients’ goals and priorities.
Stewardship and collaboration
We use dialogue, proxy voting and collaboration to encourage issuers to improve their sustainable development practices.
Dialogue with companies and partners
Our ongoing conversations with companies and partners allow us to better understand their business models and ESG practices, and to make recommendations for improved risk management.
Voting rights
We vote on all proposals at shareholder meetings, in accordance with our Proxy Voting Policy (PDF, 1.1 MB).
4 broad themes
Our 4 themes, based on the sustainable development targets adopted by the United Nations, guide our ESG analysis, shape our engagement and voting activities and inform our research.
Supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy
Protecting biodiversity and natural capital
Building a fair, equitable and inclusive economy
Ensuring strong, honest and resilient governance
Responsible investment policy
You can learn more about our responsible investment guidelines in our Responsible Investment Policy (PDF, 2.2 MB).
Responsible investment report
Take a look at what we’ve accomplished in our 2024 Responsible Investment Report (PDF, 9.6 MB).
An entire team dedicated to responsible investment
We set ourselves apart with a team fully dedicated to responsible investment. Our specialists are characterized by their leading expertise as well as their capacity to innovate and react quickly to change. They come from a wide range of fields including finance, actuarial science, engineering, sustainability, the environment, human rights, governance, and ESG data science.
The team works closely with analysts and portfolio managers to integrate responsible investment best practices into our investment processes and solutions.
What our team does
- Develops and implements responsible investment strategies and engages in stewardship activities
- Monitors ESG trends
- Carries out research, promotes innovation and publishes articles
- Fosters close links with industry players and maintains a positive leadership role
Collaborative initiatives
We’re a signatory to several Canadian and international standards, including the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) since 2017. We also collaborate with other institutional investors on various initiatives.
Read our insights into responsible investment
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This document was prepared by Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. (DGAM), for information purposes only. The information included in this document is presented for illustrative and discussion purposes only. The information was obtained from sources that DGAM believes to be reliable, but it is not guaranteed and may be incomplete. The information is current as of the date indicated in this document. DGAM does not assume any obligation whatsoever to update this information or to communicate any new fact concerning the subjects, securities or strategies discussed.
The information presented should not be construed as investment advice, recommendations to buy or sell securities, or recommendations for specific investment strategies. Under no circumstances should this document be considered or used for the purpose of an offer to purchase units in a fund or any other offer of securities in any jurisdiction. Nothing in this document constitutes a declaration that any investment strategy or recommendation contained herein is appropriate for an investor's circumstances. In all cases, investors should conduct their own verification and analysis of this information before taking or refraining to take any action with respect to the securities, strategies and markets that are analyzed in this report.
No investment decisions should be based solely on this document, which is no substitute for due diligence or the required analyses on your part to justify a decision to invest.