Concordia University
PA-4: Sustainable Investment Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.67 / 4.00 |
Maha
Fakih Advisor, Sustainability & Invest Office of the Treasurer |
4.1 Sustainable investment policy or committee
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of how the institution has incorporated ESG factors and/or climate risk as material issues to be considered when making investment decisions:
"Please review Concordia's commitment to responsible investing and integration of ESG factors and climate risks below: https://www.concordia.ca/alumni-friends/about-us/concordia-university-inter-generational-fund.html
In addition to the above, the CUiF Board of Directors has approved a new sustainable investment policy earlier this year. The policy will be published in the coming months and the link can be provided once its made public.
In summary, the fund seeks to address its 100-0-10 commitment by intentionnally investing in assets that are sustainable and address people and planet issues, such as, but not limited to reducing greenhouse gases, promoting healthy ecosystems, enabling social equity and enhancing quality of life. Before an investment is selected, it must fit within one of the Fund’s sustainability themes and must address the fund's financial goals.
● 100% means that all of the capital invested by the Fund is framed around solving the planet's and people’s issues as well as contributing to a sustainable economy and helping the portfolio achieve its financial goals over the mid to long term.
● 0% means that the Fund shall have zero exposure to Oil, Gas and Coal as defined by the Carbon Underground 200 list and shall also be aligned with the global effort of addressing climate and environmental risks and contribute towards a net zero greenhouse gas emission economy.
● 10% means that 10% of our investments shall be mission-related investments focussing on achieving the mission of the Fund.
A full review of the fund's governance by-laws and charters including new trustees, has also been done in order for the fund to be aligned to its 100/0/10 commitment.
In addition to UNIE, the fund has also joined the Climate Charter for Canadian Universities. The Climate charter is signed by over 18 universities, including Concordia University with the intention to collaborate on strategies to foster the transition to a low-carbon economy by applying a responsible investing framework to their entire portfolios and increasing investments to sustainable solutions.
"
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
4.2 Negative screening and divestment
Narrative and/or website URL providing evidence of the institution’s use of negative screening and/or targeted divestment in support of sustainability:
"Concordia University Foundation has committed to end investments in holdings that are listed on the Carbon Underground 200 list by 2025. The CU200 list identifies the top 200 global publicly-listed coal, oil, and gas reserves owners ranked by the carbon emissions embedded in their reserves.
https://www.concordia.ca/news/stories/2019/11/08/concordia-university-foundation-to-divest-and-aim-for-100-percent-sustainable-investments-by-2025.html"
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
4.3 Investor engagement
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s proxy voting in support of sustainability:
Yes, through investment managers.
Has the institution filed a shareholder resolution or signed on to an investor statement in support of sustainability during the previous three years, either directly or through an investment manager?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the shareholder resolutions or investor statements in support of sustainability:
Is the institution an active participant in one or more sustainability or ESG-focused investor networks?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s participation in sustainability or ESG-focused investor networks:
"Concordia University Foundation is a member of the following networks:
- Climate charter for Canadian universities
- UNIE: Universities network for investor engagement
- CEC: climate engagement Canada through UNIE
- UNPRI signatory: UN principles for responsible investment"
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.