Sustainability

Ethical finance and investments

The ethical investment of university endowments can be used to make a difference and deliver positive real-world change. The University of Nottingham has adopted investment strategies that deliver on this. In particular, the university has committed to screening out:

  1. All fossil fuel companies; oil and gas producers, the extraction of thermal coal and tar sands or oil shale
  2. Companies partaking in explicit environmental damage
  3. All arms companies; manufacture and sale to military regimes
  4. Institutional violations of human rights, including modern slavery and the exploitation of the work force
  5. Discrimination against the individual
  6. Manufacture and sale of tobacco products

Read the Investment Policy

Money for Good

In 2020, the University of Nottingham committed to deliver on its desire to invest its £60M+ endowment and £9.5 million medium-term investment fund in line with the University’s strategy and commitment to sustainability. Cazenove Capital were appointed investment managers, with an explicit dual objective for strong long term financial returns alongside positive impact on people and planet.

The underlying investments are social as well as climate-focused. Alongside green bonds and renewable energy infrastructure are investments such as the Refugee Better Outcomes Partnerships; delivering programmes to provide support to refugees to transition out of asylum accommodation into the community.

100% of the Fund avoids harm, by restricting investment in sectors such as fossil fuels, tobacco, armaments and gambling.

The equity strategy generates three times the social benefit of a global equity index. The estimated impact associated with the now £70 million endowment invested in the fund is detailed below.

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Cazenove investment SDGs

34% of the Fund directly contributes to solutions that further the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within that, the most closely aligned SDGs are:

  • Good Health and Wellbeing (38%)
  • Affordable and Clean Energy (23%)
  • Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (10%)
  • Sustainable Cities and Communities (9%)

By investing in sustainable initiatives and generating a return on that investment, the University has been able to bolster its offer of studentships, especially to those from underprivileged backgrounds. For example:

  • Revis endowment through an Article 26 Scholarship for asylum seekers (full international fees plus a £500 annual bursary).
  • Malone endowment supports students coming to the University from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire who are from low-income households. They receive a £1,500 scholarship for each year of study to help them get the very best out of their university experience and realise their ambition of getting a Nottingham degree.

Further information

  • Investment Policy
  • Annual list of investments can be found within in the Cazenove Report
  • Committee members that oversee investments: 
    • Margaret Monckton (CFO)
    • Dr Paul Greatrix (Registrar)
    • Andrew Nolan (Development and Sustainability Director)
    • Sally Blackamore (Financial Controller)
    • Prof. Sam Kingman (PVC for RKE)
    • Stephen O’Dell (External Member)

Sustainability Team

Estate Office, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

Email: sustainability@nottingham.ac.uk