Responsible investing, sometimes referred to as socially-responsible investing, describes investment strategies which seek to maximize both financial return and social good. Specifically, it is the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues into investment decisions.

In Canada, the Social Investment Organization (SIO) and Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE) have taken leadership roles through proxy voting and shareholder engagement services, while also raising awareness through research and policy advocacy. Important Canadian-focused publications include:

• SHARE's step-by-step toolkit on implementing responsible investment
• SIO's Shareholder Advocacy Handbook
• SIO's 2006 Socially-Responsible Investment Review

We'll continue to update socialfinance.ca with more SRI-related resources, but you can also keep updated through the News sections on the SIO and SHARE websites, as well as SHARE's listing of courses and events.

The SIO also has listings of mutual funds, retail venture capital funds, and selected SRI fund performance (obviously, this is not investment advice). Jantzi Research is another leader in the area, but there are other firms and consultants in the Canadian market.

If you're academically inclined, there is some excellent research out there, including a report by the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative which reviews research produced by the academic and investment communities on the impact of ESG factors on investment performance.

Also check out this review of three recently-published books by Canadian authors:

• Tessa Hebb, No Small Change; Pension Funds and Corporate Engagement
• Ronald B. Davis, Democratizing Pension Funds; Corporate Governance and Accountability
• Benjamin J. Richardson, Socially Responsible Investment Law; Regulating the Unseen Polluters

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