Enhanced reporting a focus with second-time submission to annual Carbon Disclosure Project
WINNIPEG, Oct. 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Great-West Lifeco Inc. today announced that its Canadian operating companies Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life have received a 98B score for their 2014 CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) submission.
This is the second consecutive year the companies took part in the annual CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) to publicly report on and take an independent measure of their environmental impact and their progress in reducing it. The companies' 2013 score was 67B.
A CDP submission includes data on the waste going to landfill, water usage, and the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions, among many more measures. The submission also requires an organization to share its perspective on the risks and opportunities around environmental performance.
CDP issues a two-part score to indicate the level of reporting of a company's climate change initiatives. The number refers to the thoroughness of a submission while the letter refers to CDP's assessment that climate change has been factored into an organization's planning.
"For 2014 we built on our first-time submission and expanded the scope of our reporting," says Don Lecuyer, the companies' Assistant Vice-President, Corporate Properties. "For example, in addition to our head offices, we reported on 10 more properties we own, as well as leased properties in Canada. We are also reporting on the impact of corporate travel. We had this information verified by an independent company before making our submission. It's a fuller picture of our impact and our opportunities to improve our performance, and we've made our submission accessible to the public."
"Measurement, transparency and continuous improvement are all cornerstones of our approach to environmental management," says Lecuyer. "Minimizing our environmental footprint is a key element of how we operate responsibly. It's the right thing to do."
About London Life, Great-West Life and Canada Life
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life offer a broad portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions, and serve the financial security needs of more than 12 million people across Canada. Responsible and ethical management is an intrinsic value of the companies and is essential to long-term profitability and value creation. As an Imagine Caring Company supporting the principles of corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by Imagine Canada, the companies donate a minimum of one per cent of average pre-tax profits to non-profit, charitable and community organizations each year. Learn more about the organization's corporate social responsibility.
About Great-West Lifeco Inc.
Great-West Lifeco Inc. (TSX:GWO) is an international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management and reinsurance businesses. Great-West Lifeco has operations in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia through Great-West Life, London Life, Canada Life, Irish Life, Great-West Financial and Putnam Investments. Great-West Lifeco and its companies have over $805 billion* in consolidated assets under administration, and are members of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies.
*Assets as of June 30, 2014
SOURCE Great-West Life Assurance Company
Marlene Klassen, APR, Assistant Vice-President, Communication Services, 204.946.7705Copyright CNW Group 2014