Sustainability a focus for companies' corporate offices and real estate holdings in Canada

WINNIPEG, Nov. 6, 2015 /CNW/ - Great-West Lifeco Inc. today announced the achievement of two designations reflecting a commitment to sustainability across its Canadian operations:

• Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life have earned a position on CDP's Canada 200 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index for the second year in a row, and
• GWL Realty Advisors has achieved a "Green Star" ranking in its inaugural submission to the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) survey.

"We're pleased to be recognized as a Canadian leader for our environmental management," says Paul Mahon, President and CEO, Great-West Lifeco. "Measuring and being transparent in communicating climate change-related information are important responsibilities within our environmental program."

CDP Climate Disclosure Leadership Index
The companies earned a position on the index by disclosing high-quality data related to their carbon emissions as part of CDP's climate change program.

"We continue to look for ways to improve our environmental performance," says Don Lecuyer, the companies' Assistant Vice-President, Corporate Properties. "The gains we make are the result of staff buy-in, improvements to operational infrastructure, and effective environmental management from our real estate subsidiary, GWL Realty Advisors."

The companies' 97B CDP score for 2015, comparable to their 2014 score, ranks in the top ten percent of CDP's Canadian sample.

CDP's annual global climate change report, along with the climate scores of all companies publicly taking part in CDP's climate change program this year, is available on CDP's website.

"Green Star" GRESB ranking
GWL Realty Advisors placed in the top 15 per cent of global participants, scoring well above the global average and the average for its North American peer group as evaluated by GRESB across eight key business aspects: management, policy and disclosure, risk, monitoring, performance indicators, building certifications, stakeholder engagement, and new constructions.

GRESB is a leading global benchmark used by institutional investors to help understand real estate companies' environmental, social, and governance activities and the sustainability performance of their portfolios.

The 2015 survey includes submissions from 707 management companies and funds from across the world, representing 61,000 assets worth USD $2.3 trillion.

This strong performance of GWL Realty Advisors demonstrates a focus on operational excellence and top sustainability performance for clients and tenants.

"We are pleased to obtain such a high score on our initial GRESB submission," said Paul Finkbeiner, President, GWL Realty Advisors. "This Green Star ranking is a reflection of our continued commitment to the environmental, social, and governance practices of our managed assets."

GWL Realty Advisors' sustainability and past year's performance is outlined in its 2014 Annual Review.

About Great-West Life, London 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 GWL Realty Advisors
GWL Realty Advisors Inc. is a leading real estate investment advisor providing comprehensive asset management, property management, development and specialized real estate advisory services to pension funds and institutional clients. GWL Realty Advisors manages more than $16.8 billion in assets and $650 million in construction across Canada. For details about GWL Realty Advisors Inc., visit www.gwlra.com.

About Great-West Lifeco
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 $1.2 trillion* in consolidated assets under administration, and are members of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies.

*Assets as of September 30, 2015

SOURCE Great-West Lifeco Inc.