Edinburgh University climate change campaigners demand full divestment

Student protestors at Edinburgh University have welcomed the institution’s concession on fossil fuel divestment, but say the university must go further.

Earlier today the University of Edinburgh announced its intention to divest from coal and tar sands within the next six months, following an occupation of a university building for 10 days.

Professor Charlie Jeffery, the University’s Senior Vice-Principal, said: “This decision underlines the recent commitment made by the University to address the challenge of climate change through its responsible investment policy.”

However campaigners have warned responses from the three companies approached may yet change the university’s position.

Kirsty Haigh, student campaigner with Edinburgh People & Planet and NUS Scotland vice president of communities, said: “We are glad to see the University finally accept that there are lower carbon alternatives to coal and tar sands, but it should have never taken this long.

“The University is pledging to ‘engage’ with these companies for the next four weeks before divesting, but have refused to outline what that means. These companies pour millions into greenwashing and it is crucial that the University is not bought over by this, and that they follow through and fully divest from them.”

WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: "This is a welcome move by the University and we hope it marks the beginning of the end for their investments in climate-trashing fossil fuels. 

"The students and staff are to be congratulated for their persistence on this important global issue, as I am in no doubt this would not have happened had it not been for their campaign.

"The science is clear, to protect our climate the vast majority of known fossil fuel reserves must remain unburned and in the ground."

The University of Glasgow, Bedfordshire University and SOAS, University of London have all committed to divest from fossil fuels.