Only North American insurance company to be
listed
TORONTO, Jan. 17, 2017 /CNW/ - For the eighth consecutive
year, Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) ("Sun Life
Financial") has been named among the Global 100 Most Sustainable
Corporations in the World (the "Global 100"), in a ranking
maintained by Corporate Knights, a Toronto based media and investment advisory
company. Sun Life is one of only six Canadian companies across all
sectors included in the ranking, and the only North American
insurance company to earn a spot on the 2017 Global 100.
"At Sun Life, we understand that sustainability is key to
meeting our long-term commitments to clients, employees, advisors
and shareholders," said Melissa
Kennedy, Executive Vice-President, Chief Legal Officer and
Public Affairs, Sun Life Financial. "Being named as one of the most
sustainable companies in the world aligns with our commitment to
continue to strengthen our sustainability practices and advance our
strategy."
Sun Life's sustainability strategy is focused on four areas
where the company continues to deepen its commitment to building
sustainable, healthier communities for life:
Community Wellness – Since announcing our support of
diabetes in 2012, Sun Life has proudly committed over $17 million to diabetes awareness, prevention,
care and research initiatives across the globe.
Organizational Resilience – In 2017, Sun Life was
recognized as one of Canada's Top
Employers for Young People by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers, and in 2015
received Excellence Canada's platinum award recognizing Sun Life as
one of the nation's best-run corporations in areas such as
leadership, strategy, client experience and engagement.
Environmental Responsibility – Sun Life has continued to
ensure strong environmental stewardship across its properties
worldwide, including its new global headquarters at One York in
Toronto, Canada, and through
investments across asset classes, including private fixed income
investments in green and renewable energy projects.
- In 2016, Sun Life invested approximately half a billion dollars
in eight green and renewable energy projects
- In 2017, Sun Life's headquarters will relocate to One York, a
newly constructed office tower which is targeting LEED Platinum
Certification
- For six consecutive years, Bentall Kennedy, a Sun Life
Investment Management company, has been ranked among the top firms
around the world for its commitment to sustainable investing by the
Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB)
- Also for six consecutive years, Bentall Kennedy has received
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Partner of
the Year – Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership
and achievements in energy efficiency
Governance and Risk Management – Sun Life was the first
major Canadian life insurer to become a signatory to the United
Nations supported Principles for Responsible Investment in 2014,
and Bentall Kennedy was an early adopter, becoming a signatory in
2009. In 2016, Sun Life ranked in the top ten in the Globe and Mail
Report on Business' Board Games review of corporate governance
practices of Canada's largest
companies.
The Global 100 ranking was announced today by Corporate Knights
at the World Economic Forum in Davos,
Switzerland. Applying a data driven approach, Corporate
Knights assesses roughly 4,000 global mid-, large-, and mega-cap
companies in all industries and geographies to arrive at the 2017
Global 100. The ranking is based on companies' scores on key
performance indicators covering resource, employee and financial
management and supplier performance.
To learn about Sun Life's sustainability strategy and
initiatives, visit the Sustainability page on www.sunlife.com.
About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services
organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth
products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun
Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide,
including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong
Kong, the Philippines,
Japan, Indonesia, India, China,
Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2016, the Sun Life Financial group
of companies had total assets under management of $908 billion. For more information please visit
www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New
York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the
ticker symbol SLF.
Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars except as
otherwise noted.
Media Relations Contact:
Krista Wilson
Director
Corporate Communications
T. 519-888-3900 ext.3414896
krista.wilson@sunlife.com
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.