Trinity College is reviewing the prospect of introducing an ethical investments policy. Such a policy would factor in social, ethical and environmental issues into decisions relating to where college invests its money.
Trinity College is reviewing the prospect of introducing an ethical investments policy. Such a policy would factor in social, ethical and environmental issues into decisions relating to where college invests its money.
The College Finance Committee has been presented with a review considering “the issues associated with Ethical Investments” by the relevant investment managers according to the Finance Committee minutes.
Numerous institutions and companies in Ireland subscribe to socially responsible investments. One of these is Bank of Ireland, which adopted such a policy, after it became known that they had previously agreed to a multi-million pound investment in Remnant Media to sell pornographic magazines such as ‘Horny Housewives’, ‘Mega Boobs’ and ‘Asian Babes’.
They subsequently withdrew from this ‘vice investment’. Other ‘vice investments’ include investments in the defence industry, contraceptives, abortifacients, stem cell research, nuclear power, tobacco, gambling, and animal testing.
Implementing a policy of ethical investment involves three processes: negative screening, positive screening and active engagement. Negative screening involves excluding companies that do not meet the ethical criteria while positive screening entails companies to seek out companies with positive social and environmental characteristics. Engagement requires lobbying companies on social issues.
At the time of going to print, the College Treasurer was unable to comment on the current status of Trinity’s investments, and the potential for introducing an ethical investment policy.
