It is recognised across the world that global temperatures must remain no more than 2°C higher than in pre-industrial times if climate change is not to destroy our entire way of life. For this to happen, study after study has demonstrated that 80% of currently known fossil fuel reserves must remain in the ground. This view is endorsed by mainstream elements of society, from Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, to the United Nations. Companies like BP and Shell – and the University’s investments in them—are not part of a sustainable future, no matter how they, or the University, might pretend otherwise. Small investments in renewables are far outweighed by the catastrophic impacts of continued oil extraction. In universities around this country and the world, divestment is denying these companies their moral acceptability –. All moral and financial arguments point to the same thing – divestment from fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels will soon become obsolete. They are a fuel source that is no longer wanted, as a recognised danger to the health of humans, wildlife, and the planet. They are also a fuel source that is no longer needed, as so many cheap and abundant renewable fuel sources wait to be harnessed. The shift to clean energy is inevitable. In November 2016 the Paris Agreement was ratified: "Recognizing the need for an effective and progressive response to the urgent threat of climate change on the basis of the best available scientific knowledge." However, in November 2017, Fossil Free UK revealed that councils across the UK were investing more than £16billion in the fossil fuel industry. The London Borough of Enfield Pension Fund has itself invested more than £60million in such companies, representing 5.6% of its £1billion total investments. Given the damage that fossil fuels have already caused to our environment, and the growing threat of man-made climate change as a danger both to us and to future generations, fossil fuels represent an unethical investment. But there is also strong evidence that such financial investments are highly risky. Coal use in the UK has fallen by 74% over the past decade, and the government has pledged that all coal-fired power stations will close by 2025. Other fossil fuels such as oil and gas face sharp declines in future, as renewable sources overtake them. The Divest Movement seeks to persuade public institutions that ditching investments in fossil fuel companies is the right decision to make on both a moral and financial basis. Over the border from Enfield, Waltham Forest Council recently became the first UK local authority to fully commit to divest from fossil fuels. If Enfield Council did the same, it too could become a leader in the global shift to a fossil free future.

This is important because the University of Liverpool currently invests £12 million per year in the fossil fuel industry, which is 8% of their endowment. The time to reduce fossil fuel consumption is running out, and by not divesting, the University appears to be endorsing the actions of the fossil industry, and thereby failing to act on the issue of human-induced climate change. Climate change negatively affects the poorest most, and by not divesting from fossil fuels the University shows a callous disregard for the poorest populations and most vulnerable. The university is home to a leading institute for renewable energy research, yet they cannot actively be a world leader in green energy whilst funding the most polluting industry on earth. The students of this University clearly care about the environment and have created a movement within their Guild of Students to help implement a greener University (Green Guild). If this University wishes to abide by the active will of the student body, they will divest from this morally corrupt and ethically questionable industry without delay.

English below Divest MIUN Mittuniversitetet Östersund har flera program och kurser som förbereder den kommande generationen för klimatförändring. En av bygnaderna har ett tak som är fullt med solpaneler och kafeterian servera vegetarisk mat. Forskning kring ämnet finns. Universitetets vision stämmer redan med klimatförändringsfrågan. Östersunds kommun har bestämt att divestera. Men det är fortfarande ett krav att Miun Östersund är en del av att försöka lösa problemet lika mycket som att och sluta vara en del av det. Genom divestering kan vi reducera klimatförändringens oförväntade effekter och utveckla universitets ekonomiska framtid på ett hållbart sätt. Därför kräver vi att universitetet ska minska och över tid avbryta alla fossila investeringar och vara mer transparent i sin ekonomi. Som studenter, personal, alumni, representater och aktieägare av universitetet, tror vi att kostnaden som uppstår är en värdefull investering i vår gemensamma framtid, en förbättring av bilden av Mittuniviversitet och ekonomisk stabilitet. ------ Divest MIUN Mittuniversitet has several programs and courses which prepare the next generation for addressing the issues of climate change. A building's roof is covered in solar panels and the local cafeteria has among other options a daily vegetarian choice. Research is being carried out in the field. The general sentiment is that the university's vision is aligned with the issue of climate change. The municipality of Östersund has already decided to divest. However, it is as necessary that Mittuniversitet Östersund is a part of the solution as it stops being a part of the problem. By taking a proactive approach this institution can reduce the undesirable effects of changing the world's climate and create a more sustainable economic future for itself. Therefore, we demand that the institution wind down all it's investments into fossil fuels and becomes transparent with their economic policy. As students, staff, alumni, representatives, and shareholders of this university, we believe divesting is a worthwhile investment into our common future, the image of the university, and its financial stability.

Un mouvement mondial pour résoudre la crise climatique est en marche et vous pouvez y contribuer en agissant à un niveau local ! Aujourd’hui, les campagnes de désinvestissement des énergies fossiles se multiplient et nous demandons à l’ULB de se joindre au mouvement sans plus tarder. Pourquoi désinvestir des énergies fossiles ? Lors de la COP21, les États du monde entier se sont mis d’accord sur le fait que l’augmentation de la température terrestre moyenne ne doit pas dépasser 2°C (par rapport à l’ère pré-industrielle). L’accord de Paris mentionne même un objectif de 1,5°C. L’utilisation d’énergies fossiles est l’une des plus importantes causes d’émissions de CO2 dans l’atmosphère. Ce gaz est l’un des principaux responsables de l’augmentation de la température terrestre. Pour atteindre cet objectif de 2°C, 80 % des réserves connues d’énergies fossiles ne doivent pas être utilisées et doivent donc rester dans le sol. Pourquoi cibler l’ULB ? L’ULB dispose de fonds (principalement de réserve et de pension) auprès de banques s’élevant à des millions d’euros et comprenant des entreprises liées aux énergies fossiles. Actuellement, l'université ne veut pas nous communiquer les chiffres exacts, et n’a pas conditionné la totalité de ses placements à des critères éthiques. Or, l’ULB pourrait privilégier un investissement socialement responsable et investir dans des énergies renouvelables. En désinvestissant des énergies fossiles, l’ULB rejoindrait plus de 800 organisations dans le monde et deviendrait la 4e université belge à le faire, envoyant un signal fort dans la lutte contre le changement climatique. Pourquoi votre signature est-elle importante ? En octobre 2015, le Conseil d’Administration de l’ULB (CA) a été interpellé sur ses investissements et la possibilité que ceux-ci ne soient plus destinés à des entreprises ayant une activité nocive pour notre planète. A ce jour, ces demandes n’ont suscité que très peu d’intérêt auprès du CA. Durant l’année 2016-2017, l’université a été une nouvelle fois sollicitée de l’intérieur par son Conseil Etudiant ce qui a d’ailleurs abouti à une rencontre avec le recteur. Malgré l’enthousiasme de ce dernier, aucun progrès n’a été observé depuis lors. Pourtant, d'autres institutions et universités ont déjà franchi le pas en retirant la totalité de leurs investissements de l'industrie extractive. Par cette pétition, nous voulons envoyer un signal fort aux autorités universitaires et leur faire savoir que nous, citoyen·ne·s libre·s et responsable·s - étudiant·e·s, diplômé·e·s, enseignant·e·s, chercheur·euse·s, assistant·e·s, membres du personnel administratif, technique et ouvrier, Bruxellois·e·s ou habitant·e·s de cette Terre - n’acceptons pas que l’ULB compromette notre avenir et celui de notre planète en soutenant l’industrie des combustibles fossiles. Nous demandons à l'Université Libre de Bruxelles de faire preuve de responsabilité. En signant cette pétition, je marque mon soutien à la campagne « Fossil Free ULB ». Merci de préciser votre relation avec l'ULB dans votre signature (étudiant·e, membre du corps professoral, employé·e, ancien·ne étudiant·e, sous-traitant·e, etc.). Campagne soutenue par : 350.org Belgium, Greenpeace, BEA, Librex, AIC, Comac, Ecolo J, Cercle Oxfam, Amnesty International ULB, Campus en Transition ULB

ENGLISH VERSION BELOW De klok tikt. Investeren in fossiele brandstoffen betekent investeren in een toekomst van een ongeziene klimaatontregeling. Ook vanuit ons land stromen er nog miljarden euro's aan investeringen richting de steenkool-, olie- en gasindustrie. Ook de VUB belegt haar geld in beleggingsfondsen met fossiele brandstof en onethische bedrijven in. Als Brusselse studenten roepen wij onze universiteit op om haar reserves voortaan strikt fossielvrij en ethisch verantwoord te beleggen. Het is voor onze universiteit een maatschappelijke plicht de fossiele industrie resoluut de rug toe te keren en het leiderschap te nemen in de transitie naar een duurzame toekomst. Jammer genoeg blijven concrete plannen van de VUB om te divesteren op zich wachten. Daarom voeren wij de druk op! Wat vragen wij aan het bestuur van de VUB? -Transparantie en openheid omtrent huidige en toekomstige beleggingen. -Volledig te divesteren uit de fossiele brandstofsector (steenkool-, olie- en gasindustrie) en bij uitbreiding onethische bedrijven (Landen of bedrijven die mensenrechten ernstig overtreden). -Duurzaamheid bij elke toekomstige investering in infrastructuur centraal te stellen. ------------------------------------------ENGLISH VERSION--------------------------------------------------- Time is running out. Investing in fossil fuels is investing in a future of irreversible damage to our planet’s climate. Even in Belgium, billions are spent investing in the coal, oil, and gas industries. The VUB, sadly, is no exception, and possesses investment funds that contain both fossil fuel companies, and unethical investments. We, the students of Brussels, call upon the VUB to invest its capital in a strictly fossil fuel free fashion and ethically responsible fashion. Our university, as a place of science and integrity, has a social responsibility to resolutely step away from the fossil fuel industry, and to take charge in the transition towards a sustainable future. Unfortunately, the VUB has not shown any initiative in divesting from the fossil fuel industry. This is why we’re making a push. Our demands for the VUB administration are as follows: -Transparency and openness on current and future investments -Complete divestment from the fossil fuel industry (coal, gas and oil), and by extension, unethical investments (i.e. governments or companies that infringe on human rights) -To give sustainability a central role in every future investment in infrastructure

Dumfries & Galloway Council has aspirations to be Europe's first carbon neutral region, yet its pension fund is the most heavily invested in fossil fuels in the whole of Scotland. Currently, the fund has more than £28 million invested directly in fossil fuels and almost another £50 million in projected indirect investment. These investment decisions make a mockery of the Council's own sustainability and climate change goals. Instead of fueling the climate crisis, it's time for Dumfries & Galloway Council to take a stand and divest from fossil fuels. The more than £78 million invested in fossil fuels could be directed to renewable energy in the Council's own area, promoting the potential for clean, green technologies in the region and boosting employment and infrastructure. With such a large fossil fuel investment (9.4% of their total fund), we would like to see D&G Council implement a 5-year plan to move to total fossil fuel divestment. Fossil fuels are the technology of the 20th century, not the 21st. Stocks in fossil fuels are volatile and the industry is preparing itself for a significant future loss of revenue caused by increasing extraction costs, falling quantities of available fuels and increasing public outrage at the lack of action on climate change. Our people and our planet can no longer afford to delay climate action.

We believe divestment from fossil fuels to be not only ethically and environmentally correct, but also financially prudent. Climate change is the greatest challenge humanity has encountered. The 20 hottest years on record have all occurred since 1981 and 2016 was the hottest ever [1]. Higher average temperatures are directly linked to extreme weather events such as heat waves, droughts, floods and storms. Scientists have unanimously concluded that these changes are a consequence of human activity, arising from the burning of fossil fuels [2]. Moreover, this activity has resulted in unprecedented levels of air pollution, now regarded as a major world killer [3]. In a speech at Lloyd’s of London in September 2015, Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England said that by the time ‘climate change becomes a defining issue for financial stability, it may already be too late’. Carney warned investors that policies to address climate change ‘would render the vast majority of reserves ‘stranded’ – oil, gas and coal that will be literally unburnable’ [4]. In order to continue developing fossil fuel reserves – particularly in the difficult areas where the remaining reserves are located (including the Arctic, the mouth of the Amazon and tar sands in sensitive areas) the developing companies need investment – divestment is a way of cutting off the funds needed to carry out these damaging activities. It also sends a powerful signal to the companies and others that it is time to move away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy. References: [0] http://tinyurl.com/lmskfgk [1] http://tinyurl.com/y9tkm4sn [2] http://tinyurl.com/3e3zv [3] http://tinyurl.com/pqgdd5q [4] http://tinyurl.com/ycspl5sg

The Royal Shakespeare Company is one of Britain's best-loved theatre companies. But the RSC's reputation is being tarnished by its decision to allow oil giant BP to sponsor its £5 ticket scheme for 16-25 year olds. BP's extraction of fossil fuels around the world is driving dangerous climate change and causing toxic oil spills. The company works with repressive regimes, fuels conflict and blocks clean energy alternatives. 16-25-year-old theatregoers should be able to see the plays they love without helping promote a company that is putting their futures at risk. BP provides less than 1% of the RSC's income. Other arts organisations, including Tate and Edinburgh International Festival, have moved away from oil sponsorship following pressure from artists, scientists and campaigners. The theatre company has the funds to do the right thing without putting the £5 ticket scheme – or any jobs – at risk. It's time the RSC brought the curtain down on its relationship with one of the world's most polluting companies. Many theatre stars have already endorsed a crowdfunded ethical alternative to the BP-sponsored scheme - Fossil Free £5 Tickets. So join Sir Mark Rylance, Vanessa Redgrave, Andrew Garfield, Emma Thompson, Maxine Peake, Tamsin Greig, Caryl Churchill, Kristin Scott Thomas, Simon McBurney, Miriam Margolyes, Zoë Wanamaker, Vivienne Westwood, Jasper Britton and many others in calling on the RSC to find a more ethical alternative to oil sponsorship. This petition is being launched by Culture Unstained, a member of the Art Not Oil coalition, with support from Warwick Students' Union, the National Union of Students and People & Planet. To find out more about the Fossil Free £5 Ticket scheme, including getting hold of a ticket if you are aged 16-25 or donating to the crowdfunder, see cultureunstained.org/fossilfreetix

The Students’ Union recently received a response to their freedom of information request Ulster University on their investment portfolio. We had inquired as to Ulster University’s direct investments through Innovation Ulster and those made indirectly through it’s Endowment Fund. It was found that the University invests its Endowment Fund through the Rathbones Active Income and Growth Fund. Without taking into consideration the fund’s direct investments, and bearing in mind that the total amount of money Rathbones are managing for the University is over £7 million, it has invested approximately £80,000 in fossil fuel companies such as Dutch Shell and BP. Furthermore, the University also have significant investments in the tobacco industry (Over £26,000) and most worryingly in the arms industry (£13,000). In this current climate we believe this money should be invested into student facilities and more sustainable alternatives.

At the moment, there is no policy in place which stops our University investing in Fossil Fuels. We want this to change. Even though there are no investments at the moment, doesn't mean they won't in the future. We believe that it is incredibly hypocritical that an institution entrusted to prepare its students for the future should not profit from destroying it at the most fundamental level. As a forward thinking, up and coming university, is it right for Falmouth to profit from such morally questionable industries? If you are a student, academic, alumni or a concerned citizen who feels that Falmouth University should be challenged on this issue please add your signature to this petition and contact Divest Penryn to become more actively involved in this campaign!

The New England Aquarium is a vital institution in our community that works to educate the public about climate change and its impacts. As patrons of the New England Aquarium, we are proud of its strong commitment to combating climate change. We encourage the aquarium to take the next step as a role model by becoming the first aquarium in the world to divest from fossil fuels. The fossil fuel divestment movement has grown rapidly over the last five years to undermine the destructive influence of the fossil fuel industry, which disproportionately burdens the health, livelihoods, and lifespans of people of color and low-income people. Through divesting, the aquarium will further its mission to support the community, to act as a leader, and to create a sustainable blue planet for all people and marine wildlife.