Sustainability plan

Board of Directors

The Governance, Investment & Conduct Review Committee of the Board of Directors provides oversight of sustainability at Sun Life. This includes oversight of our enterprise-wide Sustainability Policy and reviewing and recommending approval of our annual Sustainability Report and sustainability plan to the Board. The Risk, Audit and Management Resources Committees of the Board also have oversight over aspects of sustainability and climate change. These aspects include oversight over the management of current and emerging risks, financial disclosures in the Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis including those related to climate change, and our diversity, equity and inclusion strategy.

Chief Sustainability Officer

This role was created in 2021, in line with the importance Sun Life places on embedding sustainability in everything we do. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Sustainability Officer is building on Sun Life’s long-term ESG commitments to design and lead greater sustainability performance for Sun Life. 

International Sustainability Council

The International Sustainability Council (ISC) is composed of senior executives from each of our business groups, key functions and regions. ISC members are responsible for implementation of our sustainability plan, through the areas of focus that align with their business. ISC members champion, influence and drive action. This group meets at least four times per year. ISC members also meet in smaller groups where helpful to focus on specific initiatives or areas of our sustainability plan.

Global Sustainability Team

This team acts as a central resource and source of expertise for sustainability activities. The team manages the sustainability plan, its implementation and reporting and disclosures related to our global ESG performance. Complementing the team’s efforts are dedicated sustainability roles within business groups and units. A network of sustainability champions supports these efforts.

Business Groups

In 2021, we strategically integrated sustainability into all our business groups. As part of their Strategic Plans, each group included specific actions to drive meaningful impacts where they are best positioned. The Board of Directors reviews, advises on and approves Business Group Strategic Plans, ensuring that the plans are holistic, thoughtfully developed and aligned to the enterprise strategy, mission and medium-term objectives. Each group is also accountable for implementing and reporting on their sustainability strategy. The Global Sustainability Team coordinates efforts across all business groups to ensure alignment to the enterprise sustainability plan. The ISC reviews progress of the business groups’ sustainability efforts quarterly.