Over 100 UK universities have now made a public commitment to divest from fossil fuels and it’s time that Birmingham City University joined them!

Why is this important? Because we are in a climate crisis. And fossil fuel companies have pumped out 71% of the global carbon emissions that have caused it. If this industry cared about their contributions they’d have wound down their projects. And focused on a Just Transition. A transition led by and centring the demands and voices of the frontline and Indigenous communities experiencing fossil fuel extraction and climate impacts, first and worst.

From the Wayúu community resisting the El Cerrejón coal mine in La Guajira, Colombia. To the Ogoni people struggling against oil companies in the Niger Delta. Instead, the industry have shown us that they have a different plan. One grounded in deception and green- wash. Since the Paris Agreement, companies like BP have plunged $1 billion+ into advertising that suggests meaningful climate action. All whilst massively expanding their oil and gas operations.

Demanding our universities go Fossil Free is a way we can challenge the industry and act in solidarity with frontline struggles. Fossil fuel extractors are part of an unjust status quo that allows transnational companies to act with impunity. We reject this status quo and demand Birmingham City University do the same.