Sun Life Financial reports progress on creating sustainable, healthier communities for life

2017 Sustainability Report highlights Sun Life's $1B investment in clean and renewable energy projects among key sustainability achievements

TORONTO, March 27, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, Sun Life Financial Inc. ("Sun Life") (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) released its 2017 Sustainability Report and its 2017 Public Accountability Statement. Sustainability has been central to Sun Life for over 150 years and to the Company's progress in creating long-term value for Clients, shareholders, employees and communities. The Sustainability Report highlights achievements in Sun Life's four key sustainability areas of focus and reaffirms its commitment to building sustainable, healthier communities for life.

"2017 has been a pivotal year in the advancement of our sustainability strategy," said Melissa Kennedy, Executive Vice-President, Chief Legal Officer & Public Affairs and executive sponsor of sustainability. "At Sun Life, we believe that sustainability means taking accountability for our social, environmental, economic and governance impacts, and as we look ahead to 2018, we're excited to find new and innovative ways to continue to do more." 

In 2017, Sun Life advanced its sustainability agenda in four key areas:

Organizational Resilience – Sun Life opened its Ignite Studio at its new global home in Toronto to act as a living lab and space to advance digital and Client innovation as well as employee collaboration.

Environmental Responsibility – As part of Sun Life's commitment to reducing its operational footprint, the Company committed to targets to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions intensity.

Community Wellness – In line with Sun Life's community wellness initiative formed in 2012 to prevent diabetes and its related complications, as of 2017, the Company has pledged over $22 million to diabetes awareness and prevention activities.

Governance and Risk Management – Sun Life's commitment to diversity and inclusion is echoed at the highest levels of the organization, with women representing 36% of Sun Life's Board of Directors.

"We view sustainability as going hand in hand with our Purpose of helping our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives," said Dean Connor, President & Chief Executive Officer, Sun Life Financial. "We're making great strides in our sustainability priorities and are focused on embedding sustainability practices into our culture and operations. And it's working – we've seen improvements across the Company in all four elements of our sustainability program." 

For more information on the sustainability initiatives undertaken in 2017, visit www.sunlife.com and read Sun Life's Sustainability Report and Public Accountability Statement.

About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial Inc. is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2017, Sun Life Financial had total assets under management of $975 billion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

About Sun Life Financial in the community
At Sun Life Financial, we are committed to building sustainable, healthier communities for life and we're proud to hold the Caring Company designation from Imagine Canada. Community wellness is an important part of our sustainability commitment and we believe that by actively supporting the communities in which we live and work, we can help build a positive environment for our Clients, Employees, advisors and shareholders. Our philanthropic support focuses on two key areas: health, with an emphasis on diabetes awareness, prevention, care and research initiatives through our Team Up Against Diabetes™ platform; and arts and culture, through our award-winning Making the Arts More Accessible™ program. We also partner with sports properties in key markets to further our commitment to healthy and active living. Our Employees and advisors take great pride in volunteering over 40,000 hours each year and contribute to making life brighter for individuals and families across Canada.

Media Relations Contact:
Deanna Natalizio
Senior Communications Specialist
T. 647-326-8146
deanna.natalizio@sunlife.com

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.