It seems like a good time to start a conversation with our members about how they feel about environmental sustainability and explore how we can be better together. I recognize that Innovation isn’t the expert on these matters, but we do need to know more about how we can work to find a positive solution that benefits our communities and our world. Engaging our members in why and how we should do this both locally and globally is critical to our success.
Looking forward in this way doesn’t mean turning our backs on the people and industries that have built and sustained our economy in Saskatchewan. We’ve been proud to support these members and industries for the past 80 years. Our conversations around sustainability and responsibility won’t change that. These members and businesses have paved the path for our economic growth and diversity, positioning us for flexibility and prosperity as we consider how to be a part of the solution both now and in the future. Considering additional product lines that promote sustainability and support members who are committed to a ‘greener’ life will make all of us stronger. In fact, with trillions of dollars in assets backing climate change, expanding into business lines specifically tailored to environmental issues will offer significant benefits to our entire membership.
Innovation has already made - and lives - a deep commitment to responsible banking in alignment with the United Nations. As one of the Founding Signatories of Responsible Banking, we’ve promised to align our business strategy with making a positive contribution to society. This has inspired us to determine a lot of things about how we operate responsibly here at home. But Canada and Saskatchewan are part of a global community, and it’s incumbent upon us to be responsive to what’s happening on the world stage as well.
As with everything we do as a credit union, our approach to this will be thoughtful, incremental and informed. Finding solutions and new opportunities that support our evolving stance on sustainability will honor our past and ensure the future we want instead of the future we fear. Making a commitment to thought leadership, listening, asking questions and being a part of the conversation is how we can achieve this. It’s the ideal foundation for making our communities and our world a better place.