Responsible investing

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UVic is deeply committed to sustainability. We understand the critical need to address climate change across society and in every university domain—research, education, community engagement and campus operations. Our goal is to be a global leader in environmental and societal sustainability.

With our working capital investments, we’re committed to:

• using UVic’s strategic framework to guide our short-term investment decisions in promoting sustainable futures and supporting Indigenous economic development
• addressing the physical and transitional risks and opportunities of climate change
• using positive and negative screening to reduce the carbon intensity of investments by at least 45% by 2030
• using a responsible investment approach to manage investment risks

Principles for responsible investment

UVic is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI). The UNPRI are a set of six principles. They provide a global standard for responsible investing as it relates to environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.

As a signatory of the UNPRI, UVic abides by their six guiding principles:

1. We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes
2. We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
3. We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest
4. We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry
5. We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles
6. We will each report on our activities on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles

University Network for Investor Engagement (UNIE)

The University of Victoria and the University of Victoria Foundation are committed to participating in collective engagement through UNIE. The initiative’s aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. UNIE will engage with public companies to focus on key sectors where advocacy can make the biggest difference, including finance, transportation, energy and utilities and manufacturing. Activities will include meeting with company shareholders to discuss improvement strategies for their environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies.

UNIE will focus on engaging on the following issues:

• Reduce emissions in line with Paris commitments;
• Shift lending and capital expenditures to reduce financed emissions;
• Implement responsible climate lobbying policies and practices;
• Incorporate climate risk in business strategy and board oversight; and,
• Work towards a just transition that doesn’t leave workers or communities behind.

UNIE is a collective engagement program created by the Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE). SHARE is a leading not-for-profit organization in responsible investment services.

Please visit the Reports tab on our website for UNIE’s quarterly engagement reports.