Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.20
Liaison Jonathan Rausseo
Submission Date March 29, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Ottawa
PA-9: Sustainable Investment

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.33 / 4.00 Tom Valks
Chief Investments Officer
Pension Fund Investment Management
"---" 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:
2,666,858 US/Canadian $

Value of holdings in each of the following categories:
Value of Holdings
Sustainable industries (e.g. renewable energy or sustainable forestry) 0 US/Canadian $
Businesses selected for exemplary sustainability performance (e.g. using criteria specified in a sustainable investment policy) 0 US/Canadian $
Sustainability investment funds (e.g. a renewable energy or impact investment fund) 0 US/Canadian $
Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) or the equivalent 0 US/Canadian $
Socially responsible mutual funds with positive screens (or the equivalent) 0 US/Canadian $
Green revolving loan funds that are funded from the endowment 0 US/Canadian $

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

A brief description of the companies, funds, and/or institutions referenced above:
The University of Ottawa does not yet have positive sustainability investments.

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.uottawa.ca/financial-resources/treasury/sites/www.uottawa.ca.financial-resources.treasury/files/responsible_investment_guideline_ltp_final_20150617.pdf

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 University of Ottawa established a responsible investment approach in line with the United Nations supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The PRI is widely recognized as the investment industry standard and provides a best practices framework through its principles based approach. Responsible investment integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in the investment decision making process. Our alignment with the PRI is a public commitment to make investment decisions that consider ESG issues while taking appropriate steps to meet fiduciary responsibilities to optimize investment returns.

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?:
Yes

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

None
A brief description of how managers are adhering to proxy voting guidelines:
Exercising proxy voting rights and shareholder engagement initiatives are carried out through external investment management firms

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?:
No

None
Examples of how the institution has engaged with corporations in its portfolio about sustainability issues during the previous three years:
The University of Ottawa does not engage in shareholder advocacy yet.

Negative Screens / Divestment Efforts 

Does the institution have a publicly available investment policy with negative screens?:
No

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

None
Approximate percentage of the endowment that the negative screens apply to:
0

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:
The University of Ottawa plays a leadership role by having established a responsible investment approach that is in line with the United Nations supported Principles for Responsible Investment (“PRI”). The approach and related actions facilitate the ability to collaborate with other investors and undertake engagement initiatives, which is the most effective method to achieve positive changes with respect to ESG issues

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
https://www.uottawa.ca/financial-resources/treasury/sites/www.uottawa.ca.financial-resources.treasury/files/responsible_investment_guideline_ltp_final_20150617.pdf

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.