Durham University divests from fossil fuels
Thursday 15-03-2018 - 09:23
On the 13 March, Durham University made the decision to divest from companies involved in fossil fuel extraction.
Students have been campaigning for divestment from fossil fuels for the last three years through People and Planet Society’s Fossil Free campaign, and the University’s recent decision shows the positive impact student-led campaigns can have on the future of the University.
The University’s decision was prompted by a policy passed by Durham SU Assembly, which mandated the SU President to lobby the University to work toward ending all future investments in fossil fuel companies and to divest from fossil fuel industry companies. The policy caused the University to launch a year-long Commission involving the consultation of staff, students and alumni, which eventually reached the decision to divest.
Megan Croll, President of Durham SU, welcomed the University’s decision, ‘I’m delighted that student ambitions for a fossil-fuel-free investment policy at Durham University have been realised. This success shows the power that students and staff, working together, have to make our community more progressive and responsible. I’d like to pay tribute to the student leaders that have put considerable effort into this work, notably the Durham SU People and Planet Society.’
You can read more about the decision on the University's website.
