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UWE officially divests from fossil fuels
The vice chancellor of UWE Bristol says that the university divesting from fossil fuels is “a massive leap forward”.
UWE has become the first UK university in 2022 to announce its divestment by becoming a signatory to the People & Planet and NUS Fossil Free Declaration.
The declaration says that universities currently hold no investments in extractor fossil fuel companies and that they will never invest in these companies.
is needed now More than ever
UWE student union president, Evan Botwood, said that the commitment by UWE is the culmination of years of student campaigning.
Botwood said: “This commitment sends a clear message to our partners, suppliers, students and staff that UWE Bristol has high expectations that funds are being invested sustainably, and for our journey towards net-zero.
“This is not an end, but a new beginning towards decarbonising the whole institution and the next-step is our careers service.”
Botwood said that students will be calling on UWE’s careers service to explicitly exclude oil, gas and mining companies from recruiting and advertising in university spaces.
UWE vice-chancellor, professor Steve West, added: “We are pleased to be signing this pledge and our ambition is to ensure we not only take steps as a university but educate staff and students to be more sustainable and environmentally aware as we take a massive leap forward at work and at home.”
Main photo: UWE Bristol
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