Sun Life Financial Inc., commonly known as Sun Life, is a leading international financial services company headquartered in Canada. Established in 1865, Sun Life has grown to become a prominent player in the insurance and asset management sectors, with significant operations across North America, Asia, and the UK. The company offers a diverse range of products and services, including life insurance, health insurance, and investment solutions, distinguished by their customer-centric approach and innovative offerings. Sun Life's commitment to financial wellness and sustainability has earned it a strong market position, recognised for its robust financial performance and dedication to community initiatives. With over 150 years of experience, Sun Life continues to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving industry landscape.
How does Sun Life's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Insurance Services industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Sun Life's score of 68 is higher than 80% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, Sun Life reported total carbon emissions of approximately 16.0 billion kg CO2e, comprising 45,601,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1, 40,589,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2, and about 15.9 billion kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. This total reflects a significant increase from the previous year's total of approximately 9.0 billion kg CO2e in 2023, which included 44,883,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1, 34,558,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2, and about 8.9 billion kg CO2e from Scope 3. Sun Life has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for a 50% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across its operations by 2030, relative to a 2019 baseline. This target applies to both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Additionally, the company has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 across all scopes, which includes its investments and operations. These commitments are part of a broader strategy to enhance sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint of its operations. The company has also initiated projects such as the development of an all-electric net-zero carbon speculative industrial building in Ontario, Canada, demonstrating its commitment to innovative solutions in reducing emissions. Sun Life's emissions data is not cascaded from a parent organization, ensuring that the reported figures are specific to its operations. The company continues to monitor and report its emissions transparently, aligning with industry standards for climate accountability.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | - | - | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | - | - | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 10,403,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
Sun Life's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 78% last year and increased significantly since 2014, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Nearly all of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing nearly all emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Investments" being the largest emissions source at 100% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Sun Life has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

