| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.05 |
| Liaison | Jessica Krejcik |
| Submission Date | May 26, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Concordia University
IN-3: Innovation 3
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Bram
Freedman Vice-President, Institutional Relations and Secretary-General Office of the Vice-President, Institutional Relations and Secretary-General |
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Concordia University Foundation (CUF) is taking a leadership role amongst North American foundations in announcing the creation of a sustainable investment fund. Initially, the foundation will transfer $5 million of its assets into the fund with the potential to make additional contributions. Sustainable investment incorporates environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors. It is based on the principle of investing in leading ESG companies while excluding those that don’t meet ESG criteria, such as fossil fuels, weapons or tobacco. It also encourages investments that address specific sustainability issues or themes, such as climate change, food or water.
The CUF continues to show leadership among Canadian universities with the creation in February 2016 of a joint sustainable investment advisory committee (JSIAC). The JSIAC includes representatives from the Concordia Student Union (CSU), the Graduate Students Association (GSA), Divest Concordia, the CUF and two faculty members with expertise in the area of sustainable investing. The overall mandate of the committee is to make recommendations to their respective governing bodies on socially and environmentally responsible investment opportunities.
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
Establishing the JSIAC provides a structure for fostering dialogue on investment decisions in order to advance discussions that promote sustainability. In particular, the JSIAC will explore and exchange on the sustainable investment practices of both the CUF and funds held and managed by the student associations. Based on its work, JSAIC will also provide recommendations on the possibility of increasing the amount of funds currently invested in sustainable investment funds by their respective governing bodies.
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
| Yes or No | |
| Curriculum | --- |
| Research | --- |
| Campus Engagement | --- |
| Public Engagement | --- |
| Air & Climate | --- |
| Buildings | --- |
| Dining Services | --- |
| Energy | --- |
| Grounds | --- |
| Purchasing | --- |
| Transportation | --- |
| Waste | --- |
| Water | --- |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | --- |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | --- |
| Investment | Yes |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.