The Canadian Investment Awards (CIA) announced today that a new award, committed to encouraging the financial services industry to reduce their carbon footprint will be presented at this year’s gala.

The award will be presented to the organization showing a concrete commitment to environmental leadership.

“The CIA is dedicated to investing in our planet and nurturing a healthier environment for future generations. We’re trying to achieve this goal by encouraging and rewarding environmental leadership within the financial services industry.” says Sabine Steinbrecher, founder and president, Canadian Investment Awards Inc.

A steering committee was assembled to determine the criteria and ensure that the award would deliver the results expected. The steering meeting consisted of experts across multiple disciplines including WWF-Canada, the Recycling Council of Canada, BOMA, Deloitte and Touche, Cybernomics, Ontario Power Generation and the Ontario Power Authority. To ensure that the award incorporated components of social responsibility, Jantzi Research and Canadian Business for Social Responsibility were also included. The criteria and submission process can be found on the CIA’s Web site.

The steering committee included the following individuals and organizations:

  • Kathrin Bohr, vp & managing director, Canadian Business for Social Responsibility;
  • Scott Mackenzie, president and CEO, Morningstar Canada;
  • Lucy Becker, vp corporate communications, AGF Funds Inc.;
  • Sarah Heynen, senior manager of conservation advancement, WWF-Canada;
  • Hadley Archer, director, business engagement, WWF-Canada;
  • Nancy Palardy, senior analyst, Jantzi Research;
  • Michael Sullivan, partner, The Strategic Counsel;
  • Chris Benedetti, chair, Recycling Council of Ontario / principal, Sussex Strategy Group;
  • Nada Sutic, Manager, Green Initiatives, BOMA Toronto;
  • Peter Love, chief energy conservation officer, Ontario Power Authority;
  • Tim Faveri, GTA practice lead corporate responsibility & sustainability, Deloitte & Touche LLP;
  • Jean-Jerome Baudry, CEO, Cybernomics;
  • Paul Bates, Dean, DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University;
  • Dr. Blair Feltmate, director, sustainable development, Ontario Power Generation;
  • Kate Taylor, co-president, Kaleidoscope Marketing and Communications; and
  • Sabine Steinbrecher, founder, CEO, Canadian Investment Awards Inc. / Learning Library Inc.