Sustainable investing

Purpose and framework

The CUiF’s investment policy integrates responsible investment factors to align its strategies with Concordia’s sustainability objectives. Capital is allocated with purpose and intentionality through three key pillars:

1. Planet: investments aimed at addressing decarbonization, enhancing biodiversity and promoting circular economies
2. People: investments focused on improving social equity, advancing health care and enhancing quality of life
3. Sustainable economy: investments driving innovation, fostering industrial evolution and supporting leadership in sustainability

All capital allocated will seek to align with one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). These are universal goals of UN member states that are designed to address today’s pressing social, economic and environmental challenges and meet the needs of the present generation without compromising those of future generations.

When new investment opportunities are assessed, the investment managers’ intentionality is considered, using three main criteria:

1. Level of influence, ranging from high (can push forward changes via its investments) to indirect (more passive/transfer of capital).
2. Level of conviction regarding whether the impact can be quantified. In addition to how it relates to the investment sub-pillar, each portfolio or strategy should have its own unique output that can be measured to allow the impact to be assessed.
3. How the portfolio manager integrates collaboration and engagement, and to what extent the Concordia community is participating (internships or research).

To maximize its impact, all of the capital managed and invested by the fund is framed around solving the planets and people’s issues as well as contributing to a sustainable economy and helping the portfolio achieve its financial goals over the mid to long term.

Mission-related investments

The CUiF dedicates 10 per cent of its portfolio to mission-related investments, addressing six core themes:

• Climate: supporting solutions for climate change and a just transition
• Youth: benefiting young people as key recipients of investment impacts
• Community: strengthening community projects and grassroots initiatives
• Local: prioritizing projects based in Montreal and the surrounding region
• Indigenous initiatives: promoting reconciliation and supporting Indigenous businesses and sustainable economies
• Education: advancing learning, research and educational accessibility

Engagement and monitoring

The CUiF actively collaborates with industry-leading initiatives to enhance responsible investment practices:

• University Network for Investor Engagement (UNIE): a collaborative program which pools resources to engage with companies on key responsible investment topics
• UN Principles for Responsible Investment: as a signatory since 2018, the CUiF supports global standards for responsible investing

Asset classes

The CUiF invests across the following asset classes:

• Fixed income investments (including both publicly traded and private)
• Equity (including both publicly traded and private)
• Alternative investments (e.g., real assets and absolute return strategies)
• Cash and cash equivalents (including liquidity proxies)