Investing for the Long-Term
As a fiduciary for Harvard University’s endowment, HMC must consider all risks that could impact the performance of our investments. That includes integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in the investment process, along with collaborative efforts to promote industry-wide responsible investing.
Harvard University has also extended its efforts to combat climate change to include its endowment portfolio, which is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Approach to Sustainable Investing
A three-pronged approach guides HMC's sustainable investment work and priorities:
ESG INTEGRATION
Consider environmental, social, and governance factors across all investments.
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COLLABORATION
Work with peer institutions and corporations to promote ESG considerations and GHG reduction.
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NET-ZERO BY 2050
Harvard University pledged to make its endowment portfolio net-zero of GHG emissions by 2050.
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Environmental, Social, and Governance Integration
We believe that incorporating ESG risks and opportunities in our investment analysis and decision-making processes is aligned with our mission to help ensure that Harvard University has the financial resources to confidently maintain and expand its leadership in education and research for future generations.
Considering all data is not only in line with our fiduciary duty, but simply something that thoughtful investors do.
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Active Ownership
Since 1972, Harvard University has maintained a pair of committees that play a central role in the University’s consideration of matters of shareholder responsibility. The Advisory Committee on Shareholder Responsibility (ACSR) and the Corporation Committee on Shareholder Responsibility (CCSR) consider and recommend proxy guidelines on a range of issues and topics of current interest.
Recent reports and further background on the committees’ work may be found on the University’s Shareholder Responsibility Committees website.
Collaboration
HMC has joined a variety of initiatives that align with—and help guide—our approach to sustainable investment and supplement our work with peers and investors to advance shared goals.
In 2014, Harvard University became the first U.S. endowment signatory to the United Nations-sponsored Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Since then, the Harvard endowment has joined CDP, Ceres, SASB, TCFD, and Climate Action 100+ to further its sustainable investing efforts.
Net-Zero Commitment
Harvard University instructed HMC to set the endowment on a path to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. This pledge was a first among U.S. higher education endowments and a natural extension of Harvard’s ongoing efforts—through its teaching, research, and operations—to prepare for and accelerate the necessary transition to a fossil fuel-free economy.
