Integrating Environmental, Social and Governance Issues into Institutional Investment: a Handbook for Colleges and Universities

The purpose of this handbook is to assist colleges and universities in implementing investment policies that consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues.  It discusses the four principal ESG strategies: shareholder advocacy, community investing, positive and negative social screening, and divestment but focuses primarily on the important role that colleges and universities can play in promoting corporate social responsibility through shareholder advocacy.  Each section of the handbook supports the development and implementation of such policies by providing important background information regarding the reasons for adopting ESG investment policies; the legal issues involved; the actual process of engaging in shareholder advocacy; and nuts-and-bolts operational considerations.