CPPIB appoints first sustainability lead

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board has appointed Deborah Orida as its first chief sustainability officer. Orida, who as worked at CPPIB for 12 years, will retain her position as senior managing director and global head of real assets. President and chief executive John Graham said: “Climate change, which was only on the horizon when CPP Investments was established nearly 25 years ago, has become the defining issue of our time. We are focused on seizing the tremendous investment opportunities, as well as managing the risks, brought about by climate change. Our enterprise-wide chief sustainability officer will be responsible for our approach to environmental, social and governance matters, particularly climate change, working closely with our chief investment officer to ensure a sustainable CPP Fund endures to the next century.” “As a global institutional investor with a time horizon that spans generations, we must place equal focus on both the risks and investment opportunities associated with sustainability – and particularly climate,” said Orida. “Our organisation has recognised the importance of, and challenge posed by, climate change for nearly 15 years and has been a leader in pressing the market for better standards in areas such as disclosure and investing in assets and companies for the economy transition.” CPPIB said that the real assets department that Orida leads had made significant investments that support the economy’s transition, including more than $7bn (£5bn) of renewables, 403 green buildings and decarbonisation technologies and services. “I am looking forward to continuing our work with colleagues across CPP Investments to meet our goal of helping ensure a base for Canadians’ financial security in retirement for generations to come, so that the CPP Investments portfolio is well positioned for the change that lies ahead,” added Orida. To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@eg.co.uk or tweet @samanthamcclary or @EGPropertyNews