People & Planet Grassroots Blog

Press Release: University of Greenwich drops fossil fuel investments

Image of Greenwich University with text 'University of Greenwich Divests From All Fossil Fuels'

Today the University of Greenwich has announced its divestment from fossil fuels, updating their Ethical Investment Policy to exclude all fossil fuel investments from their portfolio.

Image of UNISON branch holding placards with text reading 'Brighton University UNISON branch vote to back Fossil Free Careers'

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The University of Brighton UNISON branch has voted to back the Fossil Free Careers campaign, calling on the University to end its recruitment relationships with the fossil fuel industry. The campaign, coordinated by student-led campaigning charity People & Planet, demands UK universities adopt an Ethical Careers Policy which excludes oil, gas and mining industries from careers recruitment.

Swansea University Students’ Union has become the first in Wales to boycott oil, gas, and mining recruitment, after a motion was passed as part of the student-led Fossil Free Careers campaign. It now joins the Swansea University and College Union (UCU) branch which has also voted to back the Fossil Free Careers campaign.

Image of Goldsmiths University with text 'Goldsmiths Students' Union votes to boycott oil, gas and mining recruitment'

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Goldsmiths Students’ Union has voted to boycott fossil fuel recruiters as part of the student-led Fossil Free Careers campaign.The campaign, coordinated by student-led campaigning charity People & Planet, demands UK universities end oil, gas and mining industry recruitment on campus.

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Today the University of Portsmouth has announced its divestment from fossil fuels. This comes as the university updates its Ethical Investment Policy to exclude all fossil fuel industry investments.

Image of Fossil Free Careers Stall with text 'Falmouth & Exeter Students' Union Votes to Boycott Fossil Fuel Recruitment'

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Falmouth & Exeter Students’ Union has voted to boycott fossil fuel recruiters as part of a student-led campaign to cut ties between the university and the fossil fuel industry.

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Today, the Royal College of Art (‘RCA’) has announced that it is divesting its £26.7 million investment portfolio from fossil fuel companies.

The RCA’s commitment makes it the 101st university in the UK to go Fossil Free and comes following ongoing negotiations with the university, led by the RCA branch of the University and College Union.

Image reads 'How sustainable is your university? New ranking out today!'

The 2022/23 People & Planet University League, which ranks 153 UK universities against sustainability and ethics criteria, shows the majority of the UK higher education sector has failed to reach its carbon reduction target. According to the most recent estates management record (EMR) from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 59% of universities did not meet the sector-wide target of reducing carbon emissions directly controlled by the university by 43% between 2005/6 and 2020/21.

Image of 3 Universities in background, with white text overlaid. Text reads '3 more UK Universities end oil, gas, & mining recruitment.'

We are delighted to announce that three more UK universities have ended fossil fuel recruitment on campus. This is a fantastic victory, but we want to go much further. If you're a current student or member of staff, why not get involved in the campaign? If you're interested, fill out this form and we can chat through what that might look like.

Image of staff holding placards with text 'University & College Union Edinburgh First UCU Branch to Back Fossil Free Careers'

The Edinburgh branch of the University and College Union (UCU) has voted to back the Fossil Free Careers campaign, making it the first branch in the UK to endorse the campaign. Fossil Free Careers, a campaign coordinated by the charity People & Planet, demands an end to extractive industry recruitment on campus. It was endorsed by UCU National Congress earlier this year, and has already been backed by Edinburgh University Students’ Association.

People & Planet Grassroots Blog

Press Release: University of Greenwich drops fossil fuel investments

Brighton UNISON Branch Backs Fossil Free Careers

Swansea Students’ Union and UCU branch are first in Wales to Boycott Fossil Fuel Recruitment

Goldsmiths Students’ Union Boycotts Fossil Fuel Recruiters

Press Release: University of Portsmouth drops fossil fuel investments

Falmouth & Exeter Students’ Union Boycotts Fossil Fuel Recruiters

Royal College of Art becomes 6th specialist UK university to divest

PRESS RELEASE: Cardiff Metropolitan University Tops Ranking of 153 UK Universities by Sustainability & Ethics Criteria

Three more UK universities break ties with fossil fuel recruiters

UCU Edinburgh Backs Fossil Free Careers Campaign

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