Environment & Climate Change

Definity takes proactive steps to reduce the emissions of our facilities, including efficiency upgrades to our lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. We've introduced measures to reduce paper consumption and printing waste, and we encourage our employees to attend out-of-town meetings virtually, or commute and travel using more environmentally friendly means when possible.

In 2022, we established a partnership with Bullfrog Power to inject renewable energy onto Canadian power grids equal to our total electricity and gas consumption from our owned facilities. Our goal is to achieve net-zero emissions from operations by 2040 or sooner, with interim targets of -30% by 2025 and -50% by 2030.

Definity acknowledges and supports the recommendations of the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) to communicate our strategy, governance, risk management, metrics, and targets that define our approach to climate change.

Definity believes insurance companies have an obligation to contribute to a sustainable future by providing products and services to help clients reduce their ecological footprint and increase their resilience to more frequent and severe weather events resulting from climate change.

We assess the effects of climate change on our insurance portfolios and integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into our investment process and rating factors. Definity offers discounts to customers who install backwater valves and sump pumps, as they reduce the likelihood of water damage and claims. Our companies also offer higher coverage limits for commercial properties that meet certain environmental criteria. Sonnet has partnered with FLO, one of North America's largest electric vehicle (EV) charging networks, to offer discounts to FLO members who have an EV on their policy. We also use a variety of strategies in our claims processes to reduce waste and increase our clients' resilience to climate change, including a green endorsement that provides property claimants with additional funds to implement more climate resilient or environmentally friendly solutions.

Knowledge is power, and that's why we publish blogs that offer clear and simple tips to help Canadians prepare for and respond to extreme weather events, among other topics. Economical and Sonnet's blogs are available as shareable resources, and they are often shared with customers through our social media channels.

Visit the Economical blog Visit the Sonnet blog

Definity maintains a conservative and well-diversified investment portfolio according to our business needs. Our investment team continuously tracks the ESG ratings and performance of our holdings.

In 2022, we published a Sustainable Investment Policy Statement that outlines our incorporation of ESG factors into the investment process, including exclusions related to tobacco, controversial weapons, and thermal coal.

Moving forward, Definity will take additional steps to assess and monitor the greenhouse gas emissions associated with our investment portfolio and will continue to pursue green and sustainable investment opportunities. Our goal is to achieve net-zero emissions from our investments by 2040 or sooner, with interim targets of -30% by 2025 and -65% by 2030.

Definity engages with a variety of industry groups, community organizations, and other partners to support progress on climate change and other environmental issues. In 2022, Definity formed research partnerships with two leading Canadian universities to assess the physical risks of climate change on property insurance portfolios.

Through our involvement with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, we contribute to industry dialogue on emerging issues and common approaches to shared challenges and interests, including increasing Canada's resilience to climate change. On a local level, we've been a member of Sustainable Waterloo Region for more than a decade, promoting corporate climate action in the community where we were founded and where our headquarters remain today.