Manulife's Sustainable Investment Shift Towards Green Assets and Carbon Reduction Strategies
Key Ideas
- Manulife significantly increased its green investments to $45.7 billion in 2023, with a focus on sustainable buildings, renewable energy, and timberland, making up 11% of its general account portfolio.
- The company reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 8.7% compared to its 2019 baseline and aims for a 40% reduction goal by 2035, achieved through efficiency upgrades, energy prioritization, and sustainable asset management.
- Efforts include decarbonization plans for real estate, timberland, and agriculture assets, with investments in green buildings, certification programs, and innovative projects like green hydrogen-powered trucks and biochar soil carbon trapping.
- Manulife is committed to reaching net-zero emissions for its general account by 2050, with ongoing strategies to reduce per-kilowatt-hour emissions intensity, shift listed portfolio pathways, and increase green investments while restricting thermal coal investments.
Manulife Financial Corp., based in Toronto, showcased its sustainable initiatives in its 2023 Sustainability Report, revealing a surge in green investments to $45.7 billion within its general account. The company prioritized investments in green and sustainable buildings, renewable energy, and sustainably managed timberland, constituting 11% of the overall portfolio. Furthermore, Manulife began excluding direct investments in thermal coal-related projects and aimed to limit exposure to companies heavily reliant on thermal coal without decarbonization plans. The company's sustainability officer outlined decarbonization strategies such as efficiency improvements, electrification, fuel switching, and use of renewables. Notably, Manulife managed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 8.7% from 2019 levels and set a 40% reduction goal by 2035. Key focuses included green building investments, certification programs, and innovative projects like green hydrogen-powered trucks and biochar soil carbon trapping. Manulife aims to achieve a net-zero emissions portfolio by 2050, aligning 42% of its investments with Science Based Targets. The company is actively working on reducing emissions intensity and reshaping listed portfolio pathways while emphasizing green investments and climate-related training for analysts and managers. Despite previous investments in carbon-related assets, Manulife is shifting towards sustainable ventures like hydrogen production, solar manufacturing, and carbon capture technologies.
Topics
Investing
Renewable Energy
Sustainability
Investment
Carbon Reduction
Decarbonization
Climate Goals
Climate Targets
Green Buildings
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