Intentional Endowments Network and Cambridge Associates O...
Though the US government is no longer supporting the Paris Climate Agreement, many endowments, foundations, and other US institutions remain committed to aligning their investment policies with the goals of the international accord. In response, the Intentional Endowments Network and Cambridge Associates have outlined a blueprint for action for investors wishing to uphold the aims of Paris Climate Agreement and implement ESG factors into portfolios. Specifically, we have outlined considerations for incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into the development of investment policy statements (IPS), as well as a blueprint for incorporating language around the Paris accord into an institution’s IPS. Articulating Purpose, Priorities, and Principles in a well-designed investment policy can help interested institutions effectively incorporate social and environmental concerns into their investment...
University of Oregon held “Investing in the Age of Climat...
On April 28, 2017, the University of Oregon held “Investing in the Age of Climate Change.” Organized by students, faculty, staff engaged in sustainability issues on campus, and the University of Oregon Foundation, the forum tackled the question of how climate change is affecting businesses and investors. The forum was videotaped and is now posted at this link: The nine videos posted track the speakers throughout the day: http://media.uoregon.edu/channel/archives/category/office-of-sustainability Steve Mital, UO Director of Sustainability, Quinn Haaga, President of the Associated Students of the University of Oregon, and Clay Hurand, UO student activist, started things off with introductions to the forum. Paul Slovak, UO Psychology, provided a psychologist’s perspective on understanding risk. Susan Gary, UO Law, discussed fiduciary responsibilities for...
Intentional Endowments Network Builds Momentum
Last year, 77 Founding Members launched IEN’s membership program. Founding Members included: Arizona State University Foundation, Becker College, California State University, Calvert Investments, Carleton College, Hampshire College, Hanley Foundation, Lane Community College, Lewis & Clark College, Litterman Family Foundation, Middlebury College, Portland State University, San Francisco State University Foundation, UBS Asset Management, University of Maine and University of Massachusetts Foundation. Through the membership program, IEN facilitates connections with experts and peers to support administrators and trustees in enhancing their institutions’ approach to sustainable investment and addressing stakeholders’ concerns. Some of the major accomplishments of the Network over the past year included: Producing several guides and resources to facilitate knowledge exchange and peer to peer networking Hosting multiple events, which included a total of seven interactive,...
Fiduciary Duty & Divestment at Unity College
In the fall of 2012, the Unity College Board of Trustees voted unanimously to divest from investments in fossil fuels, making the College the first institution of higher learning in the United States to divest. Stephen Mulkey, President of Unity College at the time of divestment, made the moral case for divestment to the college community in an open letter. “The colleges and universities of this nation have billions invested in fossil fuels. Like the funding of public campaigns to deny climate change, such investments are fundamentally unethical,” President Emeritus Mulkey wrote. “The Trustees have looked at the College’s finances in the context of our ethical obligation to our students, and they have chosen to make a stand.” The Board of...
Transforming Investing for a Climate Safe Future - Plenar...
While at the Second Nature 2017 Presidential Climate Leadership Summit this February, members of the Intentional Endowments Network held a plenary panel focused on aligning higher education endowment investments with climate leadership goals. Speakers discussed the investment risks and opportunities posed by climate change, what the higher education sector can do in this area, and trends in business and the finance industry related to climate. Panel Speakers: Wim Wiewel, President, Portland State University Bob Litterman, Chairman of the Risk Committee, Kepos Capital; Board Chair, Commonfund; Board Member, WWF Geeta Aiyer, President, Boston Common Asset Management Seren Pendleton-Knoll, Program Director, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Center for Responsible Business
Reflecting on 2016 and Looking Ahead - Update on the Inte...
Dear IEN members and friends, Thank you for being a part of the Intentional Endowments Network. As we move toward implementing our 2017 priorities – of growing the network and advancing intentionally designed endowments – we’d like to take a moment and provide you with an update on an active and productive 2016. The threats of climate change, toxins, extreme wealth inequality, oppression, human rights violations, water scarcity, breakdown in trust, loss of topsoil, failed states, political instability, and other sustainability challenges represent risks to investments in all sectors. Understanding the short- and long-term risks and opportunities of these trends is essential for prudent endowment management. Joining the conversation on these topics also serves as a tremendous leadership opportunity for...
Strategies for Investing in a Climate-Safe Future
By: Ken Locklin, Director, Impax Asset Management Conventional wisdom can be seductive. Pundits are quick to predict that even the slightest shift in public policy breezes augur for imminent, wholesale change in direction. But, as fiduciaries we are called upon to make investment decisions grounded in reality, and based on rigorous, rational analysis. Reality is typically more resilient, and not necessarily deflected by policy zephyrs. One reality that investors and policy makers alike face is the increasing impact of climate change. It increasingly impacts our physical world and significantly heightens investment risk. While these impacts impose challenges for investors in general, they simultaneously offer compelling opportunities for investors in climate solutions. The incoming administration campaigned as pro-coal, climate change sceptics. But...
Navigating the Sustainable Investment Landscape: A New Pa...
A new paper by World Resources Institute finds strong interest and opportunities and key barriers for sustainable investing within the US institutional investor marketplace. A survey of over 100 investment professionals shows that institutional investors - including pensions, foundations, universities, and NGOs - are increasingly considering the material importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in constructing their portfolios. Stakeholder pressure and economic drivers are making sustainability an issue that long-term investors simply cannot ignore.
Holiday Reflections from the IEN Team
With the arrival of the holiday season, we are reflecting upon our shared success during the past year in advancing the conversation around sustainability among endowments, investors, students, companies, and the general public. We are filled with gratitude for the engagement of IEN members, event attendees, and all that have shown interest in this critical work.We appreciate the support so many of your organizations have provided to make IEN possible -- and as you think about your own personal year-end charitable giving, we invite you to consider supporting IEN with a personal donation. You can also help IEN by setting "The Crane Institute of Sustainability" as your charity when you shop online at Amazon Smile and GoodShop. Our society faces many interrelated challenges - climate change, food security, water, income...
Intentionally Designed Endowment Forum at Loyola Universi...
Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Hank Paulson, discussed the economic risks associated with climate impacts, his work leading the Risky Business Project, and the importance of improved disclosure of climate risk by corporations On November 1-2, 2016, a dynamic group of endowment leaders convened at Loyola University Chicago to connect with their peers and learn from investment experts about the fast-evolving field of sustainable investing -- covering a broad range of concepts and strategies including ESG integration, impact investing, mission-aligned investing, shareholder engagement and more. Participants heard from a variety of high-level speakers, including Former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, as well as David Blood of Generation Management, Jeremy Coller of Coller Capital and the Farm Animal Investment Risk &...
Intentionally Designed Endowment Forum at Loyola Universi...
Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Hank Paulson, discussed the economic risks associated with climate impacts, his work leading the Risky Business Project, and the importance of improved disclosure of climate risk by corporations On November 1-2, 2016, a dynamic group of endowment leaders convened at Loyola University Chicago to connect with their peers and learn from investment experts about the fast-evolving field of sustainable investing -- covering a broad range of concepts and strategies including ESG integration, impact investing, mission-aligned investing, shareholder engagement and more. Participants heard from a variety of high-level speakers, including Former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, as well as David Blood of Generation Management, Jeremy Coller of Coller Capital and the Farm Animal Investment Risk &...
Holiday Reflections from the IEN Team
With the arrival of the holiday season, we are reflecting upon our shared success during the past year in advancing the conversation around sustainability among endowments, investors, students, companies, and the general public. We are filled with gratitude for the engagement of IEN members, event attendees, and all that have shown interest in this critical work.We appreciate the support so many of your organizations have provided to make IEN possible -- and as you think about your own personal year-end charitable giving, we invite you to consider supporting IEN with a personal donation. You can also help IEN by setting "The Crane Institute of Sustainability" as your charity when you shop online at Amazon Smile and GoodShop. Our society faces many interrelated challenges - climate change, food security, water, income...
Navigating the Sustainable Investment Landscape: A New Pa...
A new paper by World Resources Institute finds strong interest and opportunities and key barriers for sustainable investing within the US institutional investor marketplace. A survey of over 100 investment professionals shows that institutional investors - including pensions, foundations, universities, and NGOs - are increasingly considering the material importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in constructing their portfolios. Stakeholder pressure and economic drivers are making sustainability an issue that long-term investors simply cannot ignore.
Strategies for Investing in a Climate-Safe Future
By: Ken Locklin, Director, Impax Asset Management Conventional wisdom can be seductive. Pundits are quick to predict that even the slightest shift in public policy breezes augur for imminent, wholesale change in direction. But, as fiduciaries we are called upon to make investment decisions grounded in reality, and based on rigorous, rational analysis. Reality is typically more resilient, and not necessarily deflected by policy zephyrs. One reality that investors and policy makers alike face is the increasing impact of climate change. It increasingly impacts our physical world and significantly heightens investment risk. While these impacts impose challenges for investors in general, they simultaneously offer compelling opportunities for investors in climate solutions. The incoming administration campaigned as pro-coal, climate change sceptics. But...
Reflecting on 2016 and Looking Ahead - Update on the Inte...
Dear IEN members and friends, Thank you for being a part of the Intentional Endowments Network. As we move toward implementing our 2017 priorities – of growing the network and advancing intentionally designed endowments – we’d like to take a moment and provide you with an update on an active and productive 2016. The threats of climate change, toxins, extreme wealth inequality, oppression, human rights violations, water scarcity, breakdown in trust, loss of topsoil, failed states, political instability, and other sustainability challenges represent risks to investments in all sectors. Understanding the short- and long-term risks and opportunities of these trends is essential for prudent endowment management. Joining the conversation on these topics also serves as a tremendous leadership opportunity for...
Transforming Investing for a Climate Safe Future - Plenar...
While at the Second Nature 2017 Presidential Climate Leadership Summit this February, members of the Intentional Endowments Network held a plenary panel focused on aligning higher education endowment investments with climate leadership goals. Speakers discussed the investment risks and opportunities posed by climate change, what the higher education sector can do in this area, and trends in business and the finance industry related to climate. Panel Speakers: Wim Wiewel, President, Portland State University Bob Litterman, Chairman of the Risk Committee, Kepos Capital; Board Chair, Commonfund; Board Member, WWF Geeta Aiyer, President, Boston Common Asset Management Seren Pendleton-Knoll, Program Director, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Center for Responsible Business
Fiduciary Duty & Divestment at Unity College
In the fall of 2012, the Unity College Board of Trustees voted unanimously to divest from investments in fossil fuels, making the College the first institution of higher learning in the United States to divest. Stephen Mulkey, President of Unity College at the time of divestment, made the moral case for divestment to the college community in an open letter. “The colleges and universities of this nation have billions invested in fossil fuels. Like the funding of public campaigns to deny climate change, such investments are fundamentally unethical,” President Emeritus Mulkey wrote. “The Trustees have looked at the College’s finances in the context of our ethical obligation to our students, and they have chosen to make a stand.” The Board of...
Intentional Endowments Network Builds Momentum
Last year, 77 Founding Members launched IEN’s membership program. Founding Members included: Arizona State University Foundation, Becker College, California State University, Calvert Investments, Carleton College, Hampshire College, Hanley Foundation, Lane Community College, Lewis & Clark College, Litterman Family Foundation, Middlebury College, Portland State University, San Francisco State University Foundation, UBS Asset Management, University of Maine and University of Massachusetts Foundation. Through the membership program, IEN facilitates connections with experts and peers to support administrators and trustees in enhancing their institutions’ approach to sustainable investment and addressing stakeholders’ concerns. Some of the major accomplishments of the Network over the past year included: Producing several guides and resources to facilitate knowledge exchange and peer to peer networking Hosting multiple events, which included a total of seven interactive,...
University of Oregon held “Investing in the Age of Climat...
On April 28, 2017, the University of Oregon held “Investing in the Age of Climate Change.” Organized by students, faculty, staff engaged in sustainability issues on campus, and the University of Oregon Foundation, the forum tackled the question of how climate change is affecting businesses and investors. The forum was videotaped and is now posted at this link: The nine videos posted track the speakers throughout the day: http://media.uoregon.edu/channel/archives/category/office-of-sustainability Steve Mital, UO Director of Sustainability, Quinn Haaga, President of the Associated Students of the University of Oregon, and Clay Hurand, UO student activist, started things off with introductions to the forum. Paul Slovak, UO Psychology, provided a psychologist’s perspective on understanding risk. Susan Gary, UO Law, discussed fiduciary responsibilities for...
Intentional Endowments Network and Cambridge Associates O...
Though the US government is no longer supporting the Paris Climate Agreement, many endowments, foundations, and other US institutions remain committed to aligning their investment policies with the goals of the international accord. In response, the Intentional Endowments Network and Cambridge Associates have outlined a blueprint for action for investors wishing to uphold the aims of Paris Climate Agreement and implement ESG factors into portfolios. Specifically, we have outlined considerations for incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into the development of investment policy statements (IPS), as well as a blueprint for incorporating language around the Paris accord into an institution’s IPS. Articulating Purpose, Priorities, and Principles in a well-designed investment policy can help interested institutions effectively incorporate social and environmental concerns into their investment...
Fiduciary Duty & Divestment at Unity College
In the fall of 2012, the Unity College Board of Trustees voted unanimously to divest from investments in fossil fuels, making the College the first institution of higher learning in the United States to divest. Stephen Mulkey, President of Unity College at the time of divestment, made the moral case for divestment to the college community in an open letter. “The colleges and universities of this nation have billions invested in fossil fuels. Like the funding of public campaigns to deny climate change, such investments are fundamentally unethical,” President Emeritus Mulkey wrote. “The Trustees have looked at the College’s finances in the context of our ethical obligation to our students, and they have chosen to make a stand.” The Board of...
Holiday Reflections from the IEN Team
With the arrival of the holiday season, we are reflecting upon our shared success during the past year in advancing the conversation around sustainability among endowments, investors, students, companies, and the general public. We are filled with gratitude for the engagement of IEN members, event attendees, and all that have shown interest in this critical work.We appreciate the support so many of your organizations have provided to make IEN possible -- and as you think about your own personal year-end charitable giving, we invite you to consider supporting IEN with a personal donation. You can also help IEN by setting "The Crane Institute of Sustainability" as your charity when you shop online at Amazon Smile and GoodShop. Our society faces many interrelated challenges - climate change, food security, water, income...
Intentional Endowments Network Builds Momentum
Last year, 77 Founding Members launched IEN’s membership program. Founding Members included: Arizona State University Foundation, Becker College, California State University, Calvert Investments, Carleton College, Hampshire College, Hanley Foundation, Lane Community College, Lewis & Clark College, Litterman Family Foundation, Middlebury College, Portland State University, San Francisco State University Foundation, UBS Asset Management, University of Maine and University of Massachusetts Foundation. Through the membership program, IEN facilitates connections with experts and peers to support administrators and trustees in enhancing their institutions’ approach to sustainable investment and addressing stakeholders’ concerns. Some of the major accomplishments of the Network over the past year included: Producing several guides and resources to facilitate knowledge exchange and peer to peer networking Hosting multiple events, which included a total of seven interactive,...
Intentional Endowments Network and Cambridge Associates O...
Though the US government is no longer supporting the Paris Climate Agreement, many endowments, foundations, and other US institutions remain committed to aligning their investment policies with the goals of the international accord. In response, the Intentional Endowments Network and Cambridge Associates have outlined a blueprint for action for investors wishing to uphold the aims of Paris Climate Agreement and implement ESG factors into portfolios. Specifically, we have outlined considerations for incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into the development of investment policy statements (IPS), as well as a blueprint for incorporating language around the Paris accord into an institution’s IPS. Articulating Purpose, Priorities, and Principles in a well-designed investment policy can help interested institutions effectively incorporate social and environmental concerns into their investment...
Intentionally Designed Endowment Forum at Loyola Universi...
Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Hank Paulson, discussed the economic risks associated with climate impacts, his work leading the Risky Business Project, and the importance of improved disclosure of climate risk by corporations On November 1-2, 2016, a dynamic group of endowment leaders convened at Loyola University Chicago to connect with their peers and learn from investment experts about the fast-evolving field of sustainable investing -- covering a broad range of concepts and strategies including ESG integration, impact investing, mission-aligned investing, shareholder engagement and more. Participants heard from a variety of high-level speakers, including Former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, as well as David Blood of Generation Management, Jeremy Coller of Coller Capital and the Farm Animal Investment Risk &...
Navigating the Sustainable Investment Landscape: A New Pa...
A new paper by World Resources Institute finds strong interest and opportunities and key barriers for sustainable investing within the US institutional investor marketplace. A survey of over 100 investment professionals shows that institutional investors - including pensions, foundations, universities, and NGOs - are increasingly considering the material importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in constructing their portfolios. Stakeholder pressure and economic drivers are making sustainability an issue that long-term investors simply cannot ignore.
Reflecting on 2016 and Looking Ahead - Update on the Inte...
Dear IEN members and friends, Thank you for being a part of the Intentional Endowments Network. As we move toward implementing our 2017 priorities – of growing the network and advancing intentionally designed endowments – we’d like to take a moment and provide you with an update on an active and productive 2016. The threats of climate change, toxins, extreme wealth inequality, oppression, human rights violations, water scarcity, breakdown in trust, loss of topsoil, failed states, political instability, and other sustainability challenges represent risks to investments in all sectors. Understanding the short- and long-term risks and opportunities of these trends is essential for prudent endowment management. Joining the conversation on these topics also serves as a tremendous leadership opportunity for...
Strategies for Investing in a Climate-Safe Future
By: Ken Locklin, Director, Impax Asset Management Conventional wisdom can be seductive. Pundits are quick to predict that even the slightest shift in public policy breezes augur for imminent, wholesale change in direction. But, as fiduciaries we are called upon to make investment decisions grounded in reality, and based on rigorous, rational analysis. Reality is typically more resilient, and not necessarily deflected by policy zephyrs. One reality that investors and policy makers alike face is the increasing impact of climate change. It increasingly impacts our physical world and significantly heightens investment risk. While these impacts impose challenges for investors in general, they simultaneously offer compelling opportunities for investors in climate solutions. The incoming administration campaigned as pro-coal, climate change sceptics. But...
Transforming Investing for a Climate Safe Future - Plenar...
While at the Second Nature 2017 Presidential Climate Leadership Summit this February, members of the Intentional Endowments Network held a plenary panel focused on aligning higher education endowment investments with climate leadership goals. Speakers discussed the investment risks and opportunities posed by climate change, what the higher education sector can do in this area, and trends in business and the finance industry related to climate. Panel Speakers: Wim Wiewel, President, Portland State University Bob Litterman, Chairman of the Risk Committee, Kepos Capital; Board Chair, Commonfund; Board Member, WWF Geeta Aiyer, President, Boston Common Asset Management Seren Pendleton-Knoll, Program Director, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Center for Responsible Business
University of Oregon held “Investing in the Age of Climat...
On April 28, 2017, the University of Oregon held “Investing in the Age of Climate Change.” Organized by students, faculty, staff engaged in sustainability issues on campus, and the University of Oregon Foundation, the forum tackled the question of how climate change is affecting businesses and investors. The forum was videotaped and is now posted at this link: The nine videos posted track the speakers throughout the day: http://media.uoregon.edu/channel/archives/category/office-of-sustainability Steve Mital, UO Director of Sustainability, Quinn Haaga, President of the Associated Students of the University of Oregon, and Clay Hurand, UO student activist, started things off with introductions to the forum. Paul Slovak, UO Psychology, provided a psychologist’s perspective on understanding risk. Susan Gary, UO Law, discussed fiduciary responsibilities for...