Sustainable investing
The Concordia University Inter-Generational Fund (CUiF) aims to support investments that deliver both strong financial returns and positive sustainable outcomes. It actively seeks investments that create measurable real-world impact while meeting its financial objectives.
Last updated: April 22, 2025, 3:13 p.m.
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:
- Planet: investments aimed at addressing decarbonization, enhancing biodiversity and promoting circular economies
- People: investments focused on improving social equity, advancing health care and enhancing quality of life
- 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.
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
Additionally, the CUiF evaluates portfolio managers based on their:
- Integration of responsible investment factors into investment strategies
- Engagement efforts, including advocacy for sustainability and responsible corporate practices
- Support for Concordia's mission, including providing student internship opportunities where feasible
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)
Planned distribution of investments
| Sustainability asset classes | Sub-pillars |
|---|---|
| Planet: Climate and resource impact (30%-70%) |
|
| People: Social equity and quality of life (30%-70%) |
|
| Sustainable economy: Innovation and productivity (30%-70%) |
|
Assessing climate risk and opportunities
The CUiF began calculating the carbon emissions associated with its investments in 2023, with the goal of eventually covering 100 per cent of its portfolio. Its evaluation process is aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). The CUiF also supports the recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the decision by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) to begin addressing nature-related issues. Moving forward, the CUiF will further align its frameworks with these evolving standards.
