Responsible investment policy library
UK Higher Education Institutions (HEI)
Use this policy library to explore responsible investment policies, or similar, across UK HEIs to support the creation or development of policy at your own institution.
The policies and information have been collated by SOS-UK and ShareAction - more information below.
The information contained herein is based on publicly available data from report and accounts, websites and policies as at August 2020. Some changes have been implemented following this, as and when we have been notified directly.
Organisation name | RINU member | Investments (£m) | Policy | Link | Commitment to ESG/SRI | Divestment status | Exclusions | Positive tilts | Engagement strategy | Transparency / Reporting | Students on committee? | Details | How to change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Winchester | None | Yes | https://www.winchester.ac.uk/about-us/leadership-and-governance/policies-and-procedures/?download=true&id=297 | Ethical investment considerations form an integral part of the University’s values. The University of Winchester is supportive of companies that seek to develop their businesses successfully and sustainably in the interests of shareholders. | Full | the University will never knowingly invest in any link to production of munitions, tobacco, pornography, gambling or any company that is primarily focused on coal or oil extraction or processing. the University does not intentionally invest directly (or through collective funds) in fossil fuel companies, arms companies or corporations complicit in the violation of international law. Includes organisations with high exposure to activities potentially injurious to animal or human health (alcohol/tobacco), could destabilise community cohesion and threaten international stability. does not invest directly in organisations that do not have policies to control and significantly reduce the risk of serious negative environmental impact. Not knowingly invest directly or indirectly in breach human or animal rights or Modern Slavery Act 2015. also companies whose management practices are judged to be unacceptable. | actively seek to invest in institutions that pledge to incorporate environmental, social and governance issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes, and to be active owners, across all asset classes. The University recognise climate change as a distinct ethical investment issue and invest in line with a climate change policy. | Companies are monitored according to this Statement of Ethical Investment Policy and, where appropriate, by developing an on-going dialogue and engagement with them. Disinvestment will be recommended where it is considered that a company’s activities fall outside of the University’s values and/or the aforementioned five criteria.
the University seeks a constructive engagement with the corporate world in order that responsible business practices and high standards of corporate behaviour are encouraged and supported. The use of positive ethical criteria in assessing companies is firmly incorporated through a process of constructive engagement with business. Criteria identified across five broad areas: responsible employment, corporate governance, human/animal rights, environmental practices and local community. The University may engage with investee companies to seek improvement in ethical standards in these areas. | Current Investment Activities detailed online | No | SU president on Board of Governors | ||
University of Wolverhampton | None | Yes | https://www.wlv.ac.uk/media/departments/office-of-the-vice-chancellor/documents/Ethical-Investments-Policy.pdf | The University will take account of social, environmental, ethical and governance considerations when placing investments | None | The University will not knowingly invest in companies whose activities include practices which directly pose a risk of serious harm to individuals or groups, or whose activities are inconsistent with the vision and mission and core values of the University. | committed to transparency about how and when investment decisions were made. | Yes | Student representative on Planning and Resources Committee | ||||
University of Worcester | None | Yes | https://www.worcester.ac.uk/documents/ethical-investment-policy.pdf | The University expects its investment managers, as part of their normal investment research and analysis process, to take account of social, environmental and ethical considerations in the selection, retention and realisation of investments. | Full | Not engage in any investment with companies which have demonstrated a negative record of ethical performance | Seek investment opportunities with companies which have demonstrated a positive record of ethical performance | Where appropriate, the University would expect the issues raised with fund managers to include the following: Environment, Overseas, Workplace, Product/Service , Community , Political Activity
use its influence to encourage ethical standards, practices and lines of
business acceptable to the University. withdraw from engagement with companies should their ethical performance decline
the University will engage with companies in which it considers investing, and where appropriate. | |||||
University of York | None | 564.765 | Yes | https://www.york.ac.uk/media/abouttheuniversity/governanceandmanagement/governance/ethicscommittee/University%20of%20York%20Statement%20on%20Responsible%20Investment%20(1).pdf | Our commitment to applying the highest ethical standards to all of our activities and making a positive contribution to a more sustainable world. | Full | We do not invest in tobacco companies and fossil fuels, and have instructed our Fund Managers to divest from any funds in such firms. (clause about not stopping 'partnerships with organisations, who may have a diverse
operation, with a view to supporting research and development that could improve environmental sustainability and healthcare outcomes or further charitable objectives'). We will also not make, as far as is knowingly possible, indirect investments in pooled funds, equities or bonds issued by companies engaged in the areas excluded above. | If investment found to be inconsistent with our ethical and sustainability commitments, Finance Committee will review and request our Fund Managers to make adjustments. | We will not knowingly invest in investment vehicles where it is not possible to identify the nature of the underlying assets and will seek appropriate disclosure on responsible and ethical investment from the entities in which we invest via our Fund Managers. | Yes | SU officer on Finance Committee | ||
Wadham College in the University of Oxford | Yes | https://www.wadham.ox.ac.uk/docs/GBRTT1948bEthicalInv_1564400638.pdf | the College feels wider responsibilities to invest ethically and avoid profiting from unethical activities. It therefore does not seek to maximise investment income irrespective of the nature of its investments but to invest in accordance with its ethical standards. | Partial | the College will not invest directly in companies that A significant proportion of their revenue from illegal or controversial arms manufacturing, coal or oil sands or tobacco | when making such investments it will seek to include only assets or funds whose investment policies are compatible with its ethical criteria, for instance in applying materiality thresholds to investments in areas of concern or actively managing them within a framework of meaningful engagement to raise ethical standards, and it will engage with its active fund managers to promote more ethical practices. | the determination of ethical criteria will be made and periodically reviewed by Governing Body on advice from Investment Committee and having considered the views of other interested parties (for example alumni and students) on this matter | ||||||
Wolfson College in the University of Cambridge | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
Wolfson College in the University of Oxford | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
Writtle University College | None | No | N/A | Full |
ABOUT THIS TABLE
This spreadsheet contains information about the responsible investment policies of UK HEIs.
The information contained herein is based on publicly available data from report and accounts, websites and policies as at August 2020. Some changes have been implemented following this, as and when we have been notified directly.
Blank fields indicate that, either the information wasn't available, or was not applicable.
ABOUT SOS-UK
Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK) is an educational charity created by students and staff at NUS in response to the climate emergency and ecological crisis. We support students to learn, act and lead for sustainability.
ABOUT SHAREACTION
ShareAction is a non-profit working to build a global investment sector which is responsible for its impacts on
people and planet. We mobilise investors, including HEIs via the Responsible Investment Network - Universities (RINU), to take action. Over the last 15 years, ShareAction has used its powerful toolkit of research, corporate campaigns, policy advocacy and public mobilisation to drive responsibility into the heart of mainstream investment. We want a future where all finance powers social progress.
DISCLAIMERS
*Divestment Status assessment (column J): the information contained within this column has been obtained from the People & Planet's website. This is not a complete dataset and was based on Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, its veracity should be treated accordingly.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information is correct, SOS-UK, ShareAction, their employees and agents cannot guarantee its accuracy and shall not be liable for any claims or losses of any nature in connection with information contained in this document, including (but not limited to) lost profits or punitive or consequential damages or claims in negligence.
SOS-UK and ShareAction do not provide investment advice. The information herein is not intended to provide and does not constitute financial or investment advice. SOS-UK and ShareAction make no representation regarding the advisability or suitability of investing or not in any particular financial product, shares, securities, company, investment fund, pension or other vehicle or of using the services of any particular organisation, consultant, asset manager, broker or other service provider for the provision of investment services. A decision to invest or not or to use the services of any such provider should not be made in reliance on any of the statements made here. You should seek independent and regulated advice on whether the decision to do so is appropriate for you and the potential consequences thereof. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information is correct, SOS-UK, ShareAction, their employees and agents cannot guarantee its accuracy and shall not be liable for any claims or losses of any nature in connection with information contained in this document, including (but not limited to) lost profits or punitive or consequential damages or claims in negligence.
Students Organising for Sustainability is a registered charity operating across the UK. Charity registration number: 1184011.
Fairshare Educational Foundation (t/a ShareAction) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 05013662 (registered address 63/66 Hatton Garden, Fifth Floor, Suite 23, London UK, EC1N 8LE) and a registered charity number 1117244.