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  • Divest The University Of Nottingham From Fossil Fuels
    The University of Nottingham’s (UoN) investment policy states that investment in companies which demonstrate ‘’explicit environmental damage’’ will not take place [1]. Yet, the fossil fuel companies Royal Dutch Shell, BP, BHP Billiton, Total and Centrica make up 11.08% of UoN’s portfolio and the total market value of the University’s investment in fossil fuels is £3,952,351 as of 31 July 2014. Investing in fossil fuel companies is not achieving the university’s aim “to act in an environmentally responsible way.’’ [2] BP as an example have shut down its solar business [3] and invested only 2% of profits into alternative energy between 2005 and 2015 [4]. It has not made new targets for alternative energy investments. Shockingly, BP were responsible for the 11 deaths and 4.9 million barrels of oil leaked in the Gulf of Mexico’s ecosystem. [5] Fossil Fuel exploration is needless. There is more proven oil and gas reserves than can be safely burnt without exceeding a global average temperature rise of 2 degrees, the widely regarded dangerous threshold. Burning fossil fuels contributes directly to climate change [6], leading to water scarcity [7, UoN research] as well as increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Arctic Ice thickness has also decreased 40 percent since the 1960s, endangering arctic wildlife. By divesting in fossil fuels, the university will help prevent the numerous effects of climate change, increase its reputation as a leading ‘Green University’ and make us as students feel proud that our education doesn’t come at an environmental cost. UoN did well in the People and Planets comprehensive sustainable university league table and ranked 42nd. A move to more ethical investments would improve the universities ranking. The University of Glasgow received recognition [8] for their pledge of divestment from fossil fuels. A similar pledge will, set a positive example for the hundreds of divestment campaigns across the world cementing UoN as a leading global university. [1] https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/governance/documents/investment-policy.pdf [2] http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/about/documents/environmentalstrategy200910.pdf [3] http://www.bp.com/en/global/alternative-energy/our-businesses/solar-power.html [4] http://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/pdf/sustainability/group-reports/BP_Sustainability_Review_2013.pdf [5] www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13123036 [6] https://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr_spm.pdf [7] http://nottingham.ac.uk/globalfoodsecurity/strands/climatechangeandenvironmentalimpact/index.aspx [8] http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/08/glasgow-becomes-first-university-in-europe-to-divest-from-fossil-fuels
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    Created by Peter Mullard
  • Divest the University of Bath from the Fossil Fuel Industry
    The world has committed to keeping global warming below 2 degrees. To achieve this, over 80% of the proven fossil fuel reserves will have to stay in the ground (1) - we simply cannot afford to continue to invest in this industry. However, the arguments against fossil fuel investments are not just environmental. Economically, it is clearly unsustainable to rely on non-renewable resources. The price of oil is already volatile and is a significant source of financial risk (2) whereas, in contrast, low-carbon investments are becoming increasingly profitable (3). Divestment is a proven, powerful tool for people to collaborate and directly effect large scale change. It was, for example, a key strategy in the ending of South African apartheid and the stigmatisation of the tobacco industry, and will be a key player in the global transition to sustainable energy sources. The University of Bath has fossil fuel holdings totalling half a million pounds including over £100,000 in Shell alone (4). Our call is for the university to divest these holdings and publicly commit to never investing in them again. The activities of these companies are completely incompatible with the university’s own mission (5) and is at odds with much of the work on campus, from the research at the CSCT (6) and the IPR (7) to the discussions at the I-SEE (8). The campaign here at Bath is part of the wider Fossil Free movement – an accumulation of grassroots campaigns at a diverse range of respected institutions around the world, from Le Louvre museum in Paris to the University of Cambridge here in the UK. A quarter of universities in the UK have already committed to divesting, and Bath should be proud to join their ranks. Many of these forward-thinking universities had far more invested (9), so what we are demanding is not out of reach. The wider statement that the University of Bath will make when it divests will be significant and will extend far beyond the removal of the raw finances. In divesting from fossil fuels, the University will be: - Showing solidarity with communities already bearing the brunt of the effects of climate change, most of whom have contributed little to the problem; - Helping to reclaim our democracy from the power of fossil fuel lobbying groups (10); - Contributing to the stigmatisation of the fossil fuel industry: “the most far-reaching threat to fossil fuel companies” (11); - Influencing public discourse on climate change: leading the way for other UK universities and policy makers, too. It is time for the University of Bath to realise how incompatible a safe climate future is with these fossil fuel relationships, and to take meaningful action to go fossil free. This petition for a Fossil Free Bath complements Bath SU policy (12) voted through by 60% of students in early 2016. References (1) http://math.350.org/ (2) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/03/bank-of-england-warns-of-financial-risk-from-fossil-fuel-investments (3) https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/feb/13/renewable-energy-investment-fossil-fuel-divestment-investor-summit-climate-change (4) FOI (5) http://www.bath.ac.uk/about/values/ethics/code-of-ethics.html (6) http://www.bath.ac.uk/csct/research/energy-water.html (7) http://www.bath.ac.uk/ipr/policy-briefs/reports/climate-change.html (8) http://www.bath.ac.uk/i-see/ (9) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/08/glasgow-becomes-first-university-in-europe-to-divest-from-fossil-fuels (10) http://priceofoil.org/fossil-fuel-industry-influence-in-the-u-s/ (11) http://www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/research-programmes/stranded-assets/SAP-divestment-report-final.pdf (12) https://www.bathstudent.com/pageassets/policy-governance/2015-16-4-Fossil-Free-Bath.pdf
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    Created by Garoe Dorta Perez
  • Fossil Free ULB
    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
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    Created by François Herinckx
  • Fossil Free Southampton University
    If it’s wrong to wreck the climate, then it’s wrong to profit from that wreckage, right? As emphasized in recent reports from the IPCC, international efforts must be significantly enhanced in order to remain below a 2°C limit of global warming, with risks of abrupt or irreversible climate consequences increasing with the magnitude of warming. Without dramatic reductions in carbon emissions the rate of climate change will have numerous detrimental effects. Environmental effects include sea level rise, more severe and prolonged droughts and floods, increase in number and intensity of hurricanes and storms, loss of biodiversity, decrease in fresh water availability and many more. These also have huge social and economic consequences with developing countries that are least responsible for these effects being most vulnerable and least capable of managing and adapting to the effects. Ultimately climate change will impact us all, therefore, it is clear that climate change mitigation must become a priority and we cannot allow the fossil fuel companies to continue with business as usual. The vast majority of fossil fuel reserves need to remain in the ground and this message must be reinforced! UK universities are deeply entangled in the fossil fuel industry. They currently invest up to £5.2 billion in the industry depending on the university, with money from their pension funds and endowments. Not only are universities financially supporting the fossil fuel industry, they are giving it a social licence. Universities are meant to be a bastion of forward thinking and life changing research in our society. Therefore, to invest in fossil fuels goes completely against this in every way. It is not just financial investments; too many UK universities also support the fossil fuel industry directly through their research and their partnerships with some of the biggest fossil fuel companies in the world like Shell and BP.
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    Created by Tom Hicks
  • School of Visual Arts: Go Fossil Free!
    Climate change is accelerating. We are witnessing the increasing impacts of a warming planet more and more consistently; in this last year alone our country experienced record-breaking heat, droughts, and hurricanes, which impacted hundreds of thousands of people and cost our country hundreds of billions of dollars. Hurricane Sandy alone caused $50bn in damages. Experts agree that global warming caused by humans burning fossil fuels will continue to accelerate and intensify these tragic climate disasters. The scientific consensus is clear and overwhelming; we cannot safely burn even half of global fossil-fuel reserves without dangerously warming the planet for several thousand years. As public pressure to confront climate change builds, we call on School of Visual Arts to immediately freeze any new investment in fossil-fuel companies, and to divest within five years from direct ownership and from any commingled funds that include fossil-fuel public equities and corporate bonds. We believe such action on behalf of School of Visual Arts will not only be a sound decision for our institution's financial portfolio, but also for the wellbeing of its current and future graduating classes, who deserve the opportunity to graduate with a future not defined by climate chaos.
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    Created by John Choo
  • Lets Make Sure Plymouth Uni NEVER invest in Fossil Fuels
    At the People and Planet society here at Plymouth University, we believe that our educational institution should be consistent throughout their policies. 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, and as the top of People and Planet's Green League Table 2015, we don't want them too. Plymouth University has since dropped to 12th place. As students we are investing our time and money into our education, so why shouldn't our institute of learning promise never to invest in Fossil Fuels, and invest in our future instead?
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    Created by Paisley Turner
  • University of Canterbury: divest from fossil fuels
    "It’s simple math: we can emit 565 more gigatons of carbon dioxide and stay below 2°C of warming — anything more than that risks catastrophe for life on earth. The only problem? Burning the fossil fuel that corporations now have in their reserves would result in emitting 2,795 gigatons of carbon dioxide – five times the safe amount." – 350.org As a reputable university we have an opportunity to be leaders in a global movement that can actually bring a positive change for society. Young people are going to have to endure the effects of global climate change, and our education institutions should act to become part of the solution. Visit our facebook page to like or discuss: https://www.facebook.com/ucdivests/
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    Created by Nick Hanafin Picture
  • East Tennessee State University: Go Fossil Free!
    Climate change is accelerating. We are witnessing the increasing impacts of a warming planet more and more consistently; in this last year alone our country experienced record-breaking heat, droughts, and hurricanes, which impacted hundreds of thousands of people and cost our country hundreds of billions of dollars. Hurricane Sandy alone caused $50bn in damages. Experts agree that global warming caused by humans burning fossil fuels will continue to accelerate and intensify these tragic climate disasters. The scientific consensus is clear and overwhelming; we cannot safely burn even half of global fossil-fuel reserves without dangerously warming the planet for several thousand years. As public pressure to confront climate change builds, we call on East Tennessee State University to immediately freeze any new investment in fossil-fuel companies, and to divest within five years from direct ownership and from any commingled funds that include fossil-fuel public equities and corporate bonds. We believe such action on behalf of East Tennessee State University will not only be a sound decision for our institution’s financial portfolio, but also for the wellbeing of its current and future graduating classes, who deserve the opportunity to graduate with a future not defined by climate chaos.
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    Created by Heather Covington
  • VUB Fossil Free
    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
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    Created by Lore Steyaert
  • Divest UNSW from Fossil Fuels
    The fossil fuel industry has five times the amount coal, oil and gas needed to push our climate past the two degrees of warming that the world's governments have agreed to as the precipice. Financially, continued investment in companies that extract fossil fuels represents a significant risk to UNSW as these companies will face large devaluations when the world moves to lower emission energy sources. The fossil fuel industry is also known to support campaigns designed to discredit climate science as well as delay action on a shift to renewable energy and address anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. As a public leader in these fields it is embarrassing that we continue to support these activities. UNSW already leads the way in encouraging and enabling a sustainable future for our society through research and education. A commitment to divest from fossil fuels is an effective way for UNSW to show further leadership. This move would lower the university’s financial risk while also generating positive publicity and increasing support for The University of New South Wales.
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    Created by Environment UNSW SRC Picture