Sophia School Corporation's ESG Initiatives
The first university signation in Japan of the UN-PRI
Sophia School Corporation signed the United Nation's Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in November 2015 in order to implement the principles of UN Global Compact in our investment management practice.
PRI's mission is that all investors incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes for realization of a sustainable society.
By signing the PRI, we incorporate ESG issues into our investment policy consistent with Sophia University's founding philosophy.
As a school corporation and a responsible asset owner, we are committing to contribution towards the global sustainability issues all of us face through ESG investment.
Action Policy as an UN-PRI signatory
We have released our action policy as a PRI signatory. PDF
Proxy Voting Policy
We have formulated our proxy voting policy to put the PRI principles into practice and act as a responsible asset owner in investment decision-making.
2020 PRI Annual Assessment
Sophia School Corporation acquired the highest rating "A+" for the third consecutive year in the 2020 PRI annual assessment (Strategy & Governance).
| Strategy & Governance | Indirect | Direct | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listed Equity | Fixed Income (SSA) | Fixed Income (Corporate Financial) | Fixed Income (Corporate Non Financial) | Private Equity | Infrastructure | Fixed Income (SSA) | |
| A+ | A+ | A+ | A+ | A+ | A+ | A+ | A |
Endorsing the TCFD <Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures>
Sophia School Corporation supports the Paris Agreement adopted in December 2015, and endorsed the TCFD <Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures> established by the Financial Stability Board (FSB).
Endorsing "Investor Statement on Deforestation and Forest Fires in Amazon"
Sophia School Corporation endorsed "Investor Statement on Deforestation and Forest Fires in the Amazon" to face the crisis of the Amazon in responding to a call made by PRI.
https://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/news/2019/1025amazon.html
Signing "2021 Global Investor Statement to Governments on the Climate Crisis"
Sophia School Corporation joined a group of global institutional investors in signing “2021 Global Investor Statement on Climate Crisis”, coordinated by the seven Founding Partners of The Investor Agenda (AIGCC, CDP, Ceres, IGCC, IIGCC, PRI, UNEP-FI).
https://www.sophia.ac.jp/news/20210624_02.html
Sophia School Corporation's ESG Investment Cases
Environment
Investment in MSCI Low Carbon Target Index ETF
<Smart beta>
Global equity fund that seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large and mid-capitalization developed and emerging market equities with a lower carbon exposure than that of the broad market.
(December, 2016)
Investment in Global Green Bond Fund
<Green and Impact Bond Investment>
The objective of the Fund is to generate a regular income and capital appreciation by investing mainly in bonds whose use of proceeds are aimed at financing projects that have a positive impact on the environment.
(July, 2017)
Investment in UK offshore wind power fund
<Sustainability theme>
The infrastructure fund is the first in Japan designed to invest in offshore wind power projects outside the country and contributes to the global shift to the renewable energy.
(April, 2019)
Environment, Social
Investment in the fund actively contributes to the achievement of the SDGs
<Impact investment>
The fund builds a globally diversified private markets portfolio with the dual mandate to achieve (i) attractive risk-adjusted financial returns through capital appreciation, and (ii) measurable positive environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact by means of supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
(September, 2019)
Investment in Global Sustainability Fund
<Sustainability theme oriented active investment>
Global equity fund that creates value through long-term investments incorporating innovative approaches to sustainability.
(November, 2015)
Social
Joint investment in Microfinance Fund with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
<Bond for social impact investment>
The fund makes loans to social businesses such as microfinance institutions, agricultural cooperatives, and solar light manufacturers that provide people living in poverty with essential products and services.
(March, 2016)
Investment in Social bonds issued by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
<Bond for social impact investment>
The proceeds of the bond are allocated to JICA's Finance and Investment Account, and used to establish basic infrastructure, social services and others in developing countries through sovereign loans and private sector investment and used for projects that are in line with the Cabinet's decision "Development Cooperation Charter of Japan," which is also in line with the SDGs.
(June, 2018)
Investment in Venture Capital Fund (Aavishkaar, India)
<Impact Investment>
The fund invest in early stage companies targeting under-served areas in India with a clear objective of improving living conditions.
(October, 2018)
Investment in African Development Bank ‛Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa' Bond
<Theme-type Bond Investment>
Source: African Development Bank
The theme of the bond is one of the AfDB's "High 5s" development priority areas. The bond aims to improve the health and quality of life of people in Africa and supports the projects improving the access to water and sanitation services, strengthening the health care system, developing human resources, and creating jobs.
(May, 2019)
Governance
- We encourage external managers' engagement activities with investee companies.
Asset managers that have publicly disclosed the details of proxy voting records
(Sophia School Corporation's external asset managers for domestic equities) - We have formulated and published our proxy voting policy.
Others
Investment in ESG select listed equity fund
<Integration>
The fund carefully selects stocks that excel in ESG initiatives and improve corporate value over the medium to long term.