Sustainable development

Sustainable development

We’re committed to responsible finance, working to fast-track the transition to a more sustainable economy.

Climate change has undeniable environmental impacts that affect the health, well-being and autonomy of individuals. We want to take a positive leadership role in responsible finance by supporting our members and clients, rallying our partners and empowering communities to tackle climate change.

Our commitment to responsible finance

At Desjardins, being committed to responsible finance means:

  • Integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into all our operations
  • Providing members and clients with effective and responsible products and services
  • Taking action to ensure the well-being of individuals and communities, now and in the future

An ambitious climate action plan

For us, tackling climate disruption starts with reducing our carbon footprint and that of our operational emissions. That’s why we’re aiming to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 in our:

  • Base operations (business travel, buildings, paper)
  • Supply chain
  • Lending activities and our own investments in 3 key carbon-intensive sectors (energy, transportation and real estate)

Learn more about our target for 2040 (PDF, 2.82 MB)

This plan, combined with our efforts to consider climate-related risk and opportunities, helps us meet the Paris Agreement’s target to limit global warming to 2 °C or less.

We’re committed to adopting intermediate targets by 2040, based on internationally recognized methodologies, and to publishing an annual report of our progress in this area. These intermediate targets, whose first milestone is set for 2025, will be renewed every 5 years.

See our measures and targets for 2025 (PDF, 8.94 MB)

Several large-scale initiatives

We want to support our members, clients and employees and work with our partners as we transition to a more carbon-sober economy. Here are several initiatives that highlight our commitment.

Responsible investing

For 30+ years, we’ve been a Canadian leader in responsible investing (RI) with a product lineup that takes environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into account. Our RI offer provides you with choices that stay true to who you are and that address some of society’s biggest challenges.

See our RI offer

Sustainable mobility

Since 2018, we’ve installed over 300 charging stations throughout our caisse network to encourage you to adopt more sustainable modes of transportation. Our goal is to have a total of 500 stations installed throughout Quebec and eastern Ontario by 2025.

Discover more about our sustainable mobility solutions

Renewable energy infrastructure

We want to fast-track the transition to renewable energy sources. Our goal is to invest at least $2 billion in renewable energy infrastructure, like wind turbines and solar panels, by 2025. In 2021, we invested $330 million in a $1 billion fund as a lead strategic investor with asset manager Power Sustainable Capital. This fund intends to support renewable energy development in North America and to provide communities with access to clean and affordable energy.

Circular economy

We’re speeding up the shift to a circular economy to provide our business members with solutions and boost their competitive edge. Initiatives include our partnership with École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) and a $2.1 million contribution over 5 years to promote innovation using acceleration laboratories. The first lab aims to make construction industry products and practices more responsible, sustainable and circular.

Read the article on fighting climate change through a circular economy

Transitioning our operations

To help us reach our net zero ambition by 2040, we’ve set a science-based target for 2025 to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to 41% compared to 2019 levels.

Some of our actions

  • Reduced paper consumption and systematic use of recycled paper
  • Gradual replacement of our vehicle fleet with hybrid or electric models
  • Optimizing the energy efficiency of our buildings, several of which are LEED- and Boma Best-certified.