The Finance and Sustainability Initiative (FSI) held its first annual general meeting in Montreal in April 2012. FSI is based in Montreal and seeks to build a broad membership base across North America and the rest of the world. The members that make up FSI are individuals interested in sustainability, finance professionals, academics in related fields, corporate leaders and members of government institutions. It collaborates with several leading sustainability organizations, such as SIO and UNPRI, and is a partner with the Quebec chapters of the Canadian Investor Relations Institute (CIRI) and the CFA.

FSI, in collaboration with Concordia University, has developed a program to create and fund a new certification program: the Sustainable Investment Professional Certificate (SIPC). The program will see its first cohort complete the course in 2012. Graduates will receive a professional certification in sustainable studies from the David O’Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise, part of the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University.