Sustainable Investment Policy

1. Preamble

Kalinga University recognizes that responsible financial and investment decisions can contribute to environmental sustainability, social well-being, ethical governance, and long-term institutional resilience. The University is committed to integrating sustainability considerations into its investment and financial decision-making while maintaining financial prudence, transparency, accountability, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

This Sustainable Investment Policy provides a framework for directing eligible institutional investments and financial resources towards activities that support sustainable development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2. Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to:

• Promote responsible and sustainable investment practices across the University.
• Encourage consideration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors in investment decisions, wherever applicable.
• Support investments and financial initiatives contributing to renewable energy, resource efficiency, education, innovation, social development, and other sustainability priorities.
• Minimize exposure to activities that may cause significant environmental or social harm.
• Ensure that investment decisions remain consistent with the University's academic, social, ethical, and sustainability objectives.
• Strengthen the University's contribution towards the SDGs through responsible financial management.

3. Scope

This Policy shall apply to institutional funds and investments managed or controlled by Kalinga University, subject to applicable statutory requirements, financial regulations, donor restrictions, and approvals of the competent authority.

The Policy may cover, as applicable:

• Bank deposits and fixed-income instruments;
• Government and regulated financial instruments;
• Sustainability-linked financial products;
• Investments supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency;
• Sustainable infrastructure and resource-conservation projects;
• Socially responsible and ESG-oriented investment opportunities; and
• Other permissible financial instruments approved by the competent authority.

Personal investments of students, faculty, staff, or other individuals are outside the scope of this Policy.

4. Sustainable Investment Principles

The University shall consider the following principles while evaluating eligible investment opportunities:

• Environmental Responsibility: Preference may be given, where financially and legally appropriate, to activities supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, biodiversity, sustainable infrastructure, and climate resilience.
• Social Responsibility: Investments may support activities contributing to education, skill development, health and well-being, inclusion, community development, employment, and social welfare.
• Good Governance: The University shall consider transparency, regulatory compliance, ethical conduct, accountability, risk management, and responsible corporate governance.
• Financial Prudence: Sustainability considerations shall not replace appropriate assessment of financial risk, liquidity, security, return, and institutional requirements.
• Transparency: Investment decisions and relevant records shall be appropriately documented and maintained for institutional review and audit.

5. Sustainable Investment Areas

Subject to financial feasibility and applicable regulations, the University may prioritize or support investments and institutional expenditures associated with:

6. Exclusion and Risk Considerations

The University shall seek to avoid, to the extent reasonably practicable and legally permissible, investments that are directly associated with activities presenting significant environmental, social, ethical, or governance risks.

Investment decisions shall consider:

• Regulatory and compliance risks;
• Financial and credit risks;
• Environmental and social risks;
• Reputational risks;
• Liquidity requirements;
• Long-term institutional objectives; and
• Reliability and transparency of available information.

The University shall comply with applicable laws, financial regulations, tax requirements, and institutional financial policies while implementing this Policy.

7. Governance and Responsibility

• The University Management/Competent Authority shall provide overall direction and approve major investment decisions.
• The Finance/Accounts Department shall be responsible for financial assessment, documentation, accounting, monitoring, and reporting of investments.
• The IQAC, where considered appropriate, may support the identification and documentation of sustainability-linked initiatives and their contribution to institutional sustainability objectives and SDGs.
• Relevant committees or authorized officers may provide technical, financial, legal, or sustainability inputs before an investment decision is finalized.

8. Monitoring and Reporting

The University shall maintain appropriate records of investments and sustainability-related financial initiatives. Wherever feasible, the University may periodically assess:

• Allocation towards sustainability-related initiatives;
• Financial performance and risk;
• Environmental and social relevance;
• Compliance with approved investment conditions;
• Contribution to relevant SDGs; and
• Opportunities for improving sustainable financial practices.

A summary of relevant sustainable investment activities may be included in the University's annual reports, sustainability reports, SDG reports, or other institutional disclosures, as appropriate.

9. Review and Continuous Improvement

This Policy shall be reviewed periodically by the competent authority to ensure continued relevance, regulatory compliance, financial prudence, and alignment with the University's sustainability objectives.

The University may revise the Policy in response to changes in legislation, financial regulations, institutional priorities, sustainability standards, or emerging best practices.

10. Effective Date and Approval

This Policy shall come into effect from the date of approval by the competent authority of Kalinga University and shall remain applicable until amended or superseded.