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Divestment Policy
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Divestment Policy

JGU is committed to making sure its financial strength works for a more sustainable future. We incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into every investment decision, and our Sustainable Investment Policy ensures that the university’s endowments support positive ESG outcomes and our mission of leadership in education and societal impact. The policy aligns our investments with the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and it directs capital away from fossil fuel-intensive sectors and towards low-carbon, climate-positive strategies. The policy is set out in full below.

Policy on Sustainable Investment and Divestment

Policy Details

  • Policy Title: Sustainable Investment Policy

  • Year Reviewed: 2026

  • Primary SDG Alignment: SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 12, SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 16

1. Policy Objective & Purpose

The policy governs the management of the university’s financial assets and endowments, to promote environmental sustainability, social responsibility and sound governance. It aligns investments with the Paris Agreement, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the university’s mission. Its objectives are to:

  • Decarbonise investment portfolios by favouring low-carbon, climate-positive strategies.

  • Integrate ESG factors into all investment decisions, for the benefit of biodiversity, environmental health and community well-being.

  • Promote responsible business conduct and ethical investment practices.

2. Scope & Applicability

The policy applies to all university endowment funds, surpluses, reserves, cash management and any capital that is deployed under the authority of the governing financial bodies.

3. Guiding Principles

  • Climate alignment: investments support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

  • Responsible conduct: preference goes to funds and companies aligned with the UN Global Compact and with human rights, labour, anti-corruption and environmental standards.

  • Integrity and prudence: there are no investments where university or trustee involvement could create a conflict of interest, and fixed deposits are limited to nationalised banks, with no commission-based investments, high-risk trading or open mutual funds.

4. Key Operational Provisions

  • Exclusions: JGU makes no direct investments in businesses primarily engaged in:

    • Tobacco.

    • Controversial weapons or civilian firearms.

    • Alcohol or gambling.

    • Coal, tar sands and other fossil fuel-intensive sectors.

  • ESG integration: all direct and indirect investments are assessed against ESG criteria, and ESG due diligence is a mandatory part of investment appraisal and approval.

  • Impact investment: priority goes to investments with measurable environmental and social returns, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean water, sustainable transport, health, financial inclusion, waste management, the circular economy and ecosystem restoration.

  • Divestment: periodic portfolio reviews identify assets that are inconsistent with ESG standards or climate targets. Divestment is phased and strategic, to limit financial disruption, and engagement with investee companies generally comes first.

5. Roles & Institutional Governance

  • Investment Committee (senior leadership, Finance, Office of Sustainability and Office of Facilities Management): oversees strategy, policy compliance and portfolio performance.

  • Finance Office and Purchase Office: monitor ESG outcomes and use engagement and voting rights to promote sustainable practices, including in procurement.

  • Office of Sustainability: prioritises impact investments, works on sustainability targets and ensures climate-related financial disclosures.

  • Senior governance: reviews and approves portfolio proposals before funds are disbursed or committed.

6. Due Diligence, Conflicts of Interest & Accountability

ESG due diligence is carried out before any investment is approved, and no investment is made where a conflict of interest could arise. Portfolio proposals are reviewed and approved by senior governance before capital is committed, so that decisions stay accountable at every level.

7. Monitoring, Performance Indicators & Public Reporting

The Office of Sustainability and the Office of Facilities Management audit implementation on a scheduled basis. Audit findings, compliance actions and continuous improvement initiatives are documented. The policy calls for climate-related financial disclosures and open communication with investment partners, students, faculty and the wider campus.

VIew Our Policy on Sustainable Investment and Divestment