Great-West Lifeco's Canadian operations recognized by CDP as a leader for climate change transparency

WINNIPEG, Dec. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - Great-West Lifeco Inc. has been recognized as a leader for the depth and quality of climate change data it has disclosed on its Canadian operations, to investors and the global marketplace through CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) the international non-governmental organization (NGO) that drives sustainable economies. Great-West Lifeco's status is awarded with a position on the Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI), released today in the 2014 Canada Climate Change Report.

Great-West Lifeco has earned leadership status by submitting climate change information through CDP's global environmental disclosure system for independent assessment against CDP's widely respected scoring methodology. Company disclosures to CDP are marked out of a total of 100. Those organizations graded within the top 10% constitute the CDLI.

Great-West Lifeco has scored 98B.  High scores indicate the provision of robust climate data upon which decisions that will catalyze progress towards low-carbon economies can be made. The index highlights companies providing a high level of transparency in their disclosure of climate-related information.

"We're pleased to be included in CDP's Climate Disclosure Leadership Index," says Paul Mahon, President and CEO, Great-West Lifeco. "Measurement, transparency and continuous improvement in environmental performance are important elements in demonstrating for our stakeholders how we operate responsibly."  

CDP disclosure scores are provided to investors and other decision makers through various channels, including Bloomberg terminals, to help them assess corporate preparedness for changing market demands and emissions regulation. 

Paul Simpson, chief executive officer of CDP, says: "Global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and we face steep financial risk if we do not mitigate them.  The need for data on corporate climate change impacts and strategies to reduce them has never been greater. For this reason we congratulate those businesses that have achieved a position on CDP's Climate Disclosure Leadership Index. These companies are responding to the ever-growing demand for environmental accountability and should inspire others to follow suit."

About Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life 
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life offer a broad portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions, and serve the financial security needs of more than 12 million people across Canada. Responsible and ethical management is an intrinsic value of the companies and is essential to long-term profitability and value creation. As an Imagine Caring Company supporting the principles of corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by Imagine Canada, the companies donate a minimum of one per cent of average pre-tax profits to non-profit, charitable and community organizations each year. Learn more about the organization's corporate social responsibility.

About Great-West Lifeco
Great-West Lifeco Inc. (TSX:GWO) is an international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management and reinsurance businesses. Great-West Lifeco has operations in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia through Great-West Life, London Life, Canada Life, Irish Life, Great-West Financial and Putnam Investments. Great-West Lifeco and its companies have over $1.0 trillion* in consolidated assets under administration and are members of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies.
*assets as of September 30, 2014

About CDP
CDP is an international, non-profit organization providing the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information. CDP works with market forces, including 767 institutional investors with assets of US$92 trillion, to motivate companies to disclose their impacts on the environment and natural resources and take action to reduce them. CDP now holds the largest collection globally of primary climate-change, water and forest risk commodities information and puts these insights at the heart of strategic business, investment and policy decisions.  Please visit www.cdp.net or follow us @CDP to find out more.

SOURCE: Great-West Lifeco Inc.

Marlene Klassen, APR, Assistant Vice-President, Communication Services, 204.946.7705