Overall Rating Platinum - expired
Overall Score 88.31
Liaison James Gordon
Submission Date May 31, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Thompson Rivers University
PA-9: Sustainable Investment

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 4.00 James Gordon
Environmental Programs and Research Coordinator
TRU Office of Environment and Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Option 1: Positive Sustainability Investment 

Does the institution wish to pursue Option 1 (positive sustainability investment)?:
No

Total value of the investment pool:
---

Value of holdings in each of the following categories:
Value of Holdings
Sustainable industries (e.g. renewable energy or sustainable forestry) ---
Businesses selected for exemplary sustainability performance (e.g. using criteria specified in a sustainable investment policy) ---
Sustainability investment funds (e.g. a renewable energy or impact investment fund) ---
Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) or the equivalent ---
Socially responsible mutual funds with positive screens (or the equivalent) ---
Green revolving loan funds that are funded from the endowment 600,000 US/Canadian $

If any of the above is greater than zero, provide:

A brief description of the companies, funds, and/or institutions referenced above:
---

Percentage of the institution's investment pool in positive sustainability investments:
0

Option 2: Investor Engagement 

Does the institution wish to pursue Option 2 (investor engagement)?:
Yes

Sustainable Investment Policy 

Does the institution have a publicly available sustainable investment policy?:
Yes

None
A copy of the sustainable investment policy:
---

None
The sustainable investment policy:
https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/BRD_22-0_Investment_Objectives36276.pdf The University has adopted a responsible investment approach that is aligned with the industry best practices framework established by the United Nations‟ Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI). The application of the UN PRI to Fund management is determined by the committee. From the policy As a signatory to the UN PRI initiative, the University commits to the following Principles for Responsible Investment: 1. Incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes 2. Be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices 3. Seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest 4. Promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry 5. Work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles 6. Report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.

None
Does the institution use its sustainable investment policy to select and guide investment managers?:
Yes

None
A brief description of how the policy is applied, including recent examples:
The policy allows the committee to mandate fund managers to adhere to the principles outlined in the UN Principles for Responsible Investing

Proxy Voting 

Has the institution engaged in proxy voting, either by its CIR or other committee or through the use of guidelines, to promote sustainability during the previous three years?:
---

None
A copy of the proxy voting guidelines or proxy record:
---

None
A brief description of how managers are adhering to proxy voting guidelines:
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Shareholder Resolutions 

Has the institution filed or co-filed one or more shareholder resolutions that address sustainability or submitted one or more letters about social or environmental responsibility to a company in which it holds investments during the previous three years?:
---

None
Examples of how the institution has engaged with corporations in its portfolio about sustainability issues during the previous three years:
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Negative Screens / Divestment Efforts 

Does the institution have a publicly available investment policy with negative screens?:
---

None
A brief description of the negative screens and how they have been implemented:
---

None
Approximate percentage of the endowment that the negative screens apply to:
---

Investor Networks 

Does the institution engage in policy advocacy by participating in investor networks and/or engage in inter-organizational collaborations to share best practices?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the investor networks and/or collaborations:
TRU is a member of the UN Principles for Responsible investment UNPRI responsible investment

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
https://inside.tru.ca/2016/04/11/sustainability-to-extend-to-investment-strategy/

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Based on the U.S. Department of Education's definition of an endowment fund, TRU does not have this type of an investment strategy. Rather, the university uses funds from an account for renovations and improvements where needed, actively spending capital on projects rather than relying purely on investment income. TRU has recently invested significantly into new construction projects using this investment fund. From TRU's investment policy, the following are the fund's general guidelines: • Preservation of capital for dedicated projects and future expansion; • Generation of consistent annual cash flow to help fund ongoing operations; • Growth of cash flow to compensate for inflation over the long term.

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.