The Renewable Resources portfolio includes timberland and agricultural investments that provide inflation hedging and a long-term duration match with client obligations. ESG issues are considered at the following investment stages:

• Screening: We employ a country and species screen (natural forest vs. plantation), forest certification, and a reasonableness check for sustainability (growth versus harvest schedule versus standing tree inventory)
• Diligence: We ensure verification of legal land ownership status, compliance with all local laws including environmental reserves and labour laws, environmental due diligence, inventory verification (sustainable harvest), confirmation of forest certification status, governance rights and holding structures
• Confirmation: of all due diligence materials and internal processes
• Deal breaker: If investment opportunities are not seen to be sustainable or fail one of the previous three steps. There is an expectation for our external investment professionals to follow industry best-practices, which includes third party certification, and those systems must audit ESG criteria regularly.

All internally managed assets undergo screening in accordance with the AIMCo Exclusions Guidelines which covers Excluded Industries and Statutory Investment Restrictions. AIMCo does not invest directly in tobacco manufacturers, or in manufacturers of landmines, nuclear explosive devices or cluster munitions, in accordance with client investment protocols, statutory investment restrictions, and international treaties signed by Canada. AIMCo does not invest in high risk geographic areas excluded by the Special Economic Measures Act (Canada) and is subject to the United Nations Act (Canada).

AIMCo has been involved in mortgage investments for over 25 years, specializing in financing for high quality office, industrial warehouses, retail and multifamily properties in Canada and abroad. Rigorous due diligence for every mortgage opportunity is conducted, which includes an environmental audit and discussion with borrowers regarding environmental policies and procedures. AIMCo recognizes that environmental performance at the property contributes to cost savings and tenant satisfaction. As a lender, it's not always possible to directly influence a borrower's approach to ESG factors, but we are able to seek out opportunities to lend to borrowers that align with our ESG principles.