Sustainable & Socially Responsible Investing

Commitment & Expertise

Genus has a long history of commitment to sustainable and socially responsible investing. We have managed SRI mandates for more than 15 years and we consider this an area of distinct expertise. 

Clients can choose from Canadian Equity, Global Equity and Bonds under the banner of our Biosphere Plus portfolios. These portfolios were launched in 2000 to meet the investment needs of the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust and prospective clients who share similar ideals.

Our expertise is available through both pooled fund and segregated accounts for those clients who require customized screens to meet their unique requirements.

Investment Approach

Our screened portfolios use the same investment approach as our traditional mandates, but also formally integrate environmental, social and governance factors to screen out companies that do not meet our social and environmental criteria.

The list of eligible securities for the SRI portfolios is different than that of our traditional portfolios, but careful attention to risk management ensures that we do not have concentrated positions as a result of the smaller selection universe and that portfolios are adequately diversified across sectors and industries.

Research Partners

Our SRI research partners are leaders in their fields and specialize in evaluating companies to determine their record on a number of broad-based environmental and social criteria:

► Jantzi Research Associates covers companies in Canada
► Kinder, Lydenberg & Domini (KLD) is responsible for those in the United States
► Sustainable Investment Research International, the world's largest provider of SRI research, covers all other markets

Our partners provide us with corporate profiles and information, as well as social and environmental ratings on companies in the markets they cover.

Genus has been associated with Jantzi Research since 1994 when we became one of Michael Jantzi's first clients.

Emphasis on Sustainability

Our Biosphere Plus environmental and social screens reflect the United Nations' Educational and Scientific Organization's Man and the Biosphere guidelines. These guidelines emphasize conservation, along with sustainable development and support for research and training.

We have developed specific screening criteria in conjunction with our SRI research partners, which account for many of the more popular social and environmental concerns.

Best-of-Sector Approach

Our best-of-sector approach evaluates companies in relation to their industry counterparts and recognizes that the goal is not perfection, but rather the best practices in the given industry. As a result, we diversify portfolios across all sectors of the economy. This strategy is consistent with the underlying goal of encouraging positive corporate change.

Industries such as tobacco, weapons manufacturing, nuclear energy and oil production from oil sands, all of which are associated with significant negative environmental and social impact, are automatically excluded from our SRI selection universe.

Key Features & Benefits

► Proven expertise in sustainable and socially responsible investing
► Focus on valuation fundamentals, plus environmental and social performance
► Superior equity and fixed management by leading money managers
► Reliable and consistent long-term results
► Competitive fees, first class client service, administration and reporting

Contact Us

We invite you to learn more about our sustainable and responsible investing options and we look forward to working with you to further your goals.