100 signatures reached
To: University of Chester
Fossil Free Chester
• Release information detailing current investment of surplus funds and endowments in the fossil fuel industry and commit to greater transparency over the University’s investments;
• Freeze any new investment in fossil fuel companies, withdraw investments from companies whose main business is the extraction and/or production of fossil fuels, and shift funds to sustainable, ethical investments within five years;
• Amend the University's Policy for Socially Responsible Investment to include an explicit commitment to divest from the fossil fuel industry.
• Freeze any new investment in fossil fuel companies, withdraw investments from companies whose main business is the extraction and/or production of fossil fuels, and shift funds to sustainable, ethical investments within five years;
• Amend the University's Policy for Socially Responsible Investment to include an explicit commitment to divest from the fossil fuel industry.
Why is this important?
Climate change is accelerating. We are witnessing the increasing effects of a warming planet more and more consistently. In this last year alone countries have experienced record-breaking heat, droughts, floods and hurricanes, which have impacted millions of people. Scientific experts agree that global warming caused by humans burning fossil fuels will continue to accelerate and intensify these tragic climate disasters.
200 publicly-traded companies hold 95% of the world’s proven coal, oil and gas reserves. Together they hold five times more carbon in their fossil fuel reserves than we can safely afford to burn if we are to avoid runaway climate change. From Canada’s dirty tar sands to Arctic drilling and even hydraulic fracking for shale gas here in the UK - the fossil fuel industry is causing enormous environmental and human devastation. Withdrawing our institution’s financial and moral backing for this climate-wrecking industry is crucial to tackling climate change.
We believe that if it’s wrong for companies to destroy our climate for profit, then it’s wrong for the University of Chester to profit from their businesses. Our University should be a role model in society, acting responsibly and helping create a safe future that is better for everyone. As a University guided by Christian values, we also have a duty to protect the poorest and most vulnerable communities in our society, who are disproportionately affected by the negative consequences of climate change.
All investments make statements about our desired future. We want the University of Chester to make a clear and unequivocal statement in support of the environment by divesting from the fossil fuel industry. We believe such action will not only be a sound decision for our institution's financial portfolio, but also for the well-being of its current and future graduating classes, who deserve the opportunity to graduate with a future not defined by climate chaos.
Please sign our petition to show your support for a fossil free University of Chester!
200 publicly-traded companies hold 95% of the world’s proven coal, oil and gas reserves. Together they hold five times more carbon in their fossil fuel reserves than we can safely afford to burn if we are to avoid runaway climate change. From Canada’s dirty tar sands to Arctic drilling and even hydraulic fracking for shale gas here in the UK - the fossil fuel industry is causing enormous environmental and human devastation. Withdrawing our institution’s financial and moral backing for this climate-wrecking industry is crucial to tackling climate change.
We believe that if it’s wrong for companies to destroy our climate for profit, then it’s wrong for the University of Chester to profit from their businesses. Our University should be a role model in society, acting responsibly and helping create a safe future that is better for everyone. As a University guided by Christian values, we also have a duty to protect the poorest and most vulnerable communities in our society, who are disproportionately affected by the negative consequences of climate change.
All investments make statements about our desired future. We want the University of Chester to make a clear and unequivocal statement in support of the environment by divesting from the fossil fuel industry. We believe such action will not only be a sound decision for our institution's financial portfolio, but also for the well-being of its current and future graduating classes, who deserve the opportunity to graduate with a future not defined by climate chaos.
Please sign our petition to show your support for a fossil free University of Chester!