Sun Life Financial
Observing Organization

Chartered in 1865, Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization that serves millions of customers worldwide providing a wide range of protection and wealth accumulation products to individuals and corporate customers.
Sun Life Financial’s roots in Canada go back nearly 150 years by selling life insurance to Canadian families in 1871. With a strong service culture, innovative technology, a strong distribution network and long-standing relationships with some of the country’s largest employers and associations, today Sun Life Financial provides financial products and advice to one in every five Canadians.
Business Type: Financial / Banking / Insurance
Notable GHG Reduction and Sustainability Projects
2011
Sustainability Culture:
The sustainability culture at Sun Life Financial has direction from the top and has activities to engage employees, such as Earth Day, Earth Hour, and online discussion forums. Sun Life Financial has a Canadian Environmental Committee and is a huge success organizationally. The continuing momentum of the International Sustainability Council and seeing upper management support drive sustainability within a large, complex organization indicate a vibrant culture committed to reducing environmental impact. Consistent employee interest and engagement in sustainability events and policies show that Sun Life’s ideologies regarding sustainable practices are valued by every employee.
“What works well is broad engagement and tying your plans directly into the business. Provide a framework & direction, and hand it off to experts for them to pursue further.”
Accomplishments:
Global 100 most Sustainable Corporations in the World (2017)
Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada (2017)
Member of Dow Jones Sustainability Index (North America)
Constituent of FTSE4Good
Canada’s Greenest Employers (2017)
Best Sustainability Report Award for Finance-Insurance Company Sector (2017, Finance and Sustainability Initiative)
Global 100 – Most Sustainable Corporations in the World (2015): Awarded by Corporate Knights, for the 7th consecutive year
Global 100 – Most Sustainable Corporations in the World (2014): Awarded by Corporate Knights, click here for details.
Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada (2014): Awarded by Corporate Knights as one of Canada’s “best of the best” in overall sustainability performance, please click here for more information.