University of Oregon
PA-10: Sustainable Investment
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.28 / 5.00 |
Kelly
Bosch Chief Financial Officer University of Oregon Foundation |
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) | 0 US/Canadian $ |
| Businesses selected for exemplary sustainability performance (e.g., using criteria specified in a sustainable investment policy) | 9,900,000 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 funds funded from the endowment | 0 US/Canadian $ |
A brief description of the companies, funds, and/or institutions referenced above:
These investments are in funds that are focused on sustainable, environmental, and renewable factors as aligned with the Foundation's ESG policy. These investments focus on generating positive sustainable and social value.
Percentage of the institution's investment pool in positive sustainability investments:
Does the institution have a publicly available sustainable investment policy?:
A copy of the sustainable investment policy:
The sustainable investment policy:
The Foundation's Investment Policy incorporates the ESG Policy utilized by its outsourced investment management firm, Jasper Ridge Partners. This ESG Policy is communicated directly on the Foundation's public facing website as follows:
Principles
A core part of the JRP ethos is a commitment to acting in the long-term interests of our stakeholders. We believe that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors affect investment and business risks and opportunities.
Considerations
ESG considerations relevant to our business and investments are wide-ranging. Examples of factors that we may consider include:
Environmental:
Climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, natural resource management, energy management, waste management, air and water quality and biodiversity.
Social:
Diversity, equity and inclusion; civil and human rights; health and safety; fair wages and benefits; labor standards; community relations.
Governance:
Business ethics and compliance; accounting and tax practices; transparency; board composition and practices; data privacy and security; political activity; shareholder relations.
Strategy & Approach
Jasper Ridge aspires to apply their ESG framework both internally, in the way the company is managed, and externally, in the investments made. Through a commitment to responsible business management and investing, they hold the belief that incorporating ESG factors can help to mitigate risk and enhance outcomes.
ESG considerations can affect the performance of investment portfolios to varying degrees across companies, sectors, religions, asset classes, and through time. Jasper Ridge aims to incorporate ESG considerations throughout an investment's lifespan, from decision-making to post-investment monitoring.
Beginning in 2022, every new investment presented to our Investment Committee is scored on multiple dimensions, including two ESG-related criteria:
Investment Impact: How the investment affects environmental, social, and governance factors; this addresses the positive and negative impact of the investment.
ESG Vulnerability: How environmental, social, and governance factors affect the investment; this addresses business risks and financial returns.
Does the institution use its sustainable investment policy to select and guide investment managers?:
A brief description of how the sustainable investment policy is applied:
Jasper Ridge Partners as the outsourced investment management firm for the Foundation's portfolio, incorporates the guidelines from the above stated sustainable investment policy into review, selection and monitoring of investment managers and investment opportunities.
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?:
A copy of the proxy voting guidelines or proxy record:
A brief description of how managers are adhering to proxy voting guidelines:
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?:
Examples of how the institution has engaged with corporations in its portfolio about sustainability issues during the previous three years:
Does the institution participate in a public divestment effort and/or have a publicly available investment policy with negative screens?:
A brief description of the divestment effort or negative screens and how they have been implemented:
In 2014, the Foundation was the first Pac-12 institution to establish a policy specific to fossil fuel extraction, and we have committed to making no new direct investments in fossil fuel extraction. Currently, less than 5% of the Foundation’s direct holdings are invested in fossil fuel extraction and all remaining direct investments will expire by 2027.
Approximate percentage of endowment that the divestment effort and/or negative screens apply to:
Does the institution engage in policy advocacy by participating in investor networks and/or engage in inter-organizational collaborations to share best practices?:
A brief description of the investor networks and/or collaborations:
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable investment efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.