Ethical investment
We are fully committed to being socially and environmentally responsible in our investments, as is outlined in our Ethical Investment Policy (pdf). View the Ethical Investment Statement 2022.
We therefore do not invest in companies or funds directly involved in:
- the production of landmines, cluster bombs, nuclear and conventional weapons
- tobacco manufacture, alcohol, pornography, gambling
- support of oppressive regimes
- anti-social sales and marketing practices relating to alcohol and tobacco
- or violations of international conventions and norms in the areas of human rights, employment practices and climate change.
We also declare that:
- we currently hold no direct investments in extractor fossil fuel companies
- we will never directly invest in these companies.
The policy is reported on annually to the Board of Governors, Finance and Employment Committee and Audit Committee.
We also publish publicly a list of sectors in which we invest, to ensure transparency to staff, students and the public.
Sustainable procurement
The university has a number of policies in place to ensure that sustainable procurement is embedded across the university's purchasing practices, including:
- all copier and printer paper should be recycled
- staff should check the online reuse portal Warp-it prior to purchasing new furniture
- the sustainability credentials of stationery should be considered when purchased
- all uniforms bought for university staff should be made using Fairtrade cotton.
The university is also a member of the Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC), which is affiliated to Electronics Watch. Electronics Watch inform, organise, investigate and influence public procurement demand for decent working conditions in electronics supply chains.