2017
Building: Design, Development & Management
Philip Gillin headshot
Clean50 Award Logo

Philip Gillin

Senior Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, Canadian Property Investments, Sun Life Financial

With more than 100 buildings in the Canadian Real Estate portfolio having received LEED or BOMA BESt certification, and some have received both certifications, Phil continues to pursue a strategy of owning real estate assets that have a sustainable footprint. In 2015, more than 300,000 square feet of new construction in the portfolio was awarded LEED certification, and several additional projects underway–totalling more than one million square feet–are targeting LEED certification. The market-based greenhouse gas emissions intensity of the portfolio decreased 11% from 2011 to 2015. Phil also chairs Sun Life Financial’s International Sustainability Council, promoting a vision of operationalizing sustainability across the enterprise. Consistent with that vision, as of December 31, 2015, all major corporate sites in Canada are LEED certified buildings. Phil was also a key influencer in the adoption of the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment, which led to the implementation of formal consideration of environmental, social and governance issues in all new asset purchase recommendations and annual reviews across all asset classes. Phil is also a member of the Company’s Climate Change Investment Team, and an active participant in the Corporate Knights Council for Clean Capitalism.