Indigenous input missing from Canada’s ESG investment standards Sustainable or socially responsible investment has been growing in relevance and influence globally for decades. Driven in part by socially conscious investors, the push for sustainable business practices has led to a dramatic increase in the adoption of environmental, social and governance (ESG), sustainable investment standards and measures for corporate performance. Introduced by the United Nations in 2006, ESG-compliant funds now top US$40 trillion. In Canada, this figure is nearly $3.6 trillion. And it’s expected to grow by nearly 15% per year. The adoption of ESG standards has become almost a basic requirement for most of Canada’s large companies and investment managers – reflecting a now widespread consensus that a commitment to sustainable investment should not only be part of a company’s practices but can also directly improve its profitability and performance.