Positive Investment Cambridge

Responsible investment has been very much on the agenda recently. In the UK a student- and staff-led initiative is working to encourage positive investment by universities and colleges.

Positive investment is about values-based investments that help to ensure a positive social, economic, and environmental future. It’s about creating investment strategies that actively contribute to the wellbeing of people and the planet, while also providing financial returns. It goes beyond divestment to look also at tools like direct green investments, process reform, and effective investor engagement.

In Cambridge, this work is being carried out by Positive Investment Cambridge, a coalition of students, staff, and alumni who are all interested in securing a positive future through responsible investment.  Pembroke’s Bursar, Andrew Cates, recently attended one of the Positive Investment regular meetings for college Bursars.

From the start of the meeting it became apparent that investment is a complicated field.  The Colleges have unique agendas and strategies, and ways of managing their assets. Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) is clearly a hot topic and one that the Colleges care deeply about. One of the challenges they face is that things in the positive investment world can change very quickly. Innovation turnover is high, and it can be hard to identify schemes that won’t be made redundant as soon as the next wave of sustainability science appears. Among other things, these meetings are an opportunity to hear from companies offering positive investment opportunities, such as community funding for renewable energy projects, or investing in key social problems.  It’s noted that impact investment like this can fulfil the charitable aims of the Colleges by targeting educational schemes for investment, as well as the commitment that many colleges have to stewardship.

There’s a growing interest in sustainability and impact, but for many higher education institutions the practicalities are still be ironed out. Groups like Positive Investment Cambridge help universities and colleges navigate this ever-changing landscape.   Positive Investment envisions a better form of capitalism that will support a sustainable future. It’s a future that Cambridge, and Pembroke, are keen to be part of.