Simon Fraser University has achieved a major sustainability milestone by fully divesting its public equity and fixed income portfolios from fossil fuel investments as of June 30, 2025, delivering on its 2021 pledge and reinforcing its commitment to climate action.
SFU is one of several Canadian universities continuing to advance responsible investment decisions and institutional sustainability and climate action goals, while continuing to focus on long-term sustainable finance.
A four-year journey
- 2021: SFU formally commits to fully moving its investment portfolios away from the fossil fuel industry by the end of 2025.
- 2021: In December 2021, SFU's global equity investment portfolio valued at $450 million became 100 per cent fossil-fuel free.
- 2022: SFU's two student managed funds, Student Investment Advisory Service (SIAS) and Beedie Endowment Asset Management (BEAM), the largest student managed funds in Canada at a combined $30 million, became fossil fuel free in actively managed investment holdings.
- 2024: SFU further transitioned $360 million of the fixed income investment portfolio to fossil fuel-free funds in 2024.
- 2025: SFU's Canadian equity investment portfolio reached the same status by transferring $300 million of investments into fossil fuel-free investments.
- As of June 30, 2025, SFU's total investment portfolios exceeded $1.2 billion and all assets of SFU endowment and non-endowment investment portfolios that carried direct fossil fuel exposure were transitioned into fossil fuel-free investments.
Next steps
The university is also on track to meet and exceed our commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of our public equity investment portfolio by 45 per cent by the end of 2025, relative to the 2016 baseline. The most recent measurement of SFU's investment holdings as of March 31, 2025 shows a 74 per cent reduction against the 2016 baseline, representing a nine-year decarbonization journey for SFU's investment program.
SFU continues to focus on making responsible financial decisions and investments that will advance our academic mission and support an excellent and sustainable learning and teaching environment.
The university's current responsible investment policy is being updated, and proposed changes will be shared with the SFU community for consultation in early 2026. Feedback from the consultation will then by shared with the Board of Governors, who are responsible for ensuring financial decisions are fiscally prudent and in the best interests of the university, while also ensuring that these financial decisions align with the university's strategic vision and priorities.
Learn more
Related links
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SFU investment approach leads to 60% carbon footprint reduction, more environmentally and socially responsible funds (October, 2021)
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SFU commits to full divestment from fossil fuels (November, 2021)
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SFU's responsible investment picks up speed in 2022 (March, 2022)
