| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.79 |
| Liaison | Mike Wilson |
| Submission Date | Jan. 27, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Victoria
PA-9: Sustainable Investment
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 4.00 |
Andrew
Coward Treasurer Budget Office |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Option 1: Positive Sustainability Investment
Yes
Total value of the investment pool:
400,000,000
US/Canadian $
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 | 25,000 US/Canadian $ |
If any of the above is greater than zero, provide:
UVic has seed funded $25,000 towards a fossil fuel-free fund endowment that supports the Revolving Sustainability Fund on an annual basis. This fund is available for other donors to contribute towards.
The Fossil Fuel Free Fund option for donors is an alternative investment from the Foundation’s Main Investment Fund that will not invest in investment instruments which are issued by companies that have proven and probable thermal coal, oil or natural gas reserves. Due to few investment options, the Fossil Fuel Free Fund is not a typical balanced (equity and fixed income) fund.
Contributions to endowment funds managed by the University of Victoria Foundation, the donor thereby is investing in the long term sustainability of the university. Donors who support this ensures that the fusion of dynamic learning, vital impact and extraordinary academic environment, will continue to benefit students and the pursuit of knowledge well into the future.
More info: https://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/otherbodies/foundations/new/index.php
Also, a $250,000 Revolving Sustainability Fund was initiated in 2011/12 from Operating Funds to finance projects that have a quantifiable monetary savings to increase the conservation and efficiency of UVic’s energy and water use.
More info: http://www.uvic.ca/sustainability/involved/sustainability-fund/revolving-loan/index.php
The Fossil Free Fund also supports the Campus Sustainability Fund which provides one-time allocations, that focus on energy or water saving, sustainability awareness or learning opportunity. The fund also provides seed money for projects relating to the Sustainability Action Plan where no financial paybacks are required.
More info: https://www.uvic.ca/sustainability/involved/sustainability-fund/index.php
Percentage of the institution's investment pool in positive sustainability investments:
0.01
Option 2: Investor Engagement
Yes
Sustainable Investment Policy
Yes
None
A copy of the sustainable investment policy:
None
The sustainable investment policy:
The investment policies are available with these links:
http://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/assets/docs/policies/FM5215_1790_.pdf
http://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/assets/docs/obfoundations/SummaryOfInvesmentBeliefsMay2013.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 endowment board adopted a Responsible Investing Brief in May of 2012 and managers are now reporting annually on ESG initiatives and how ESG issues are incorporated into the investment decision making process. Managers are also including how proxies are voted. No new investments managers have been hired since the policy was adopted.
Proxy Voting
No
None
A copy of the proxy voting guidelines or proxy record:
---
None
A brief description of how managers are adhering to proxy voting guidelines:
N/A
Shareholder Resolutions
No
None
Examples of how the institution has engaged with corporations in its portfolio about sustainability issues during the previous three years:
N/A
Negative Screens / Divestment Efforts
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:
---
Investor Networks
Yes
None
A brief description of the investor networks and/or collaborations:
Signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing
Western North American Principles For Responsible Investment Network Event
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The UVic endowment board adopted a Responsible Investing Brief in May of 2012 and managers are now reporting annually on ESG initiatives and how ESG issues are incorporated into the investment decision making process. Managers are also including how proxies are voted. No new investments managers have been hired since the policy was adopted. The following links provide more details on UVic's investment policies:
http://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/assets/docs/policies/FM5215_1790_.pdf
http://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/assets/docs/obfoundations/SummaryOfInvesmentBeliefsMay2013.pdf
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.