University of Leeds withdraws £3.6m fossil fuel investments

The University of Leeds has withdrawn £3.6m of investments in fossil fuel extractors including Total, Shell and BP.

The move complements the university’s Climate Active Strategy, a programme introduced last year to guide responsible investment.

The move comes along with the introduction of “seven principles” to combat the climate crisis, which commit to a 2030 net-zero carbon footprint target and a drive to achieve no direct carbon emissions by 2050.

Sir Alan Langlands, vice-chancellor of the University of Leeds, said: “Climate change is the most demanding global challenge we all face.

“The University has a proud academic record as a leader in the field of climate research and a strong commitment to sustainability on campus and in the wider community we serve. We are committed to leading by example in the fight against climate change.

The University has a proud academic record as a leader in the field of climate research and a strong commitment to sustainability on campus and in the wider community we serve

– Sir Alan Langlands, vice-chancellor of the University of Leeds

“In doing so we acknowledge it will take time, effort, determination and sheer hard work to achieve a low carbon future. It will require difficult decisions and sometimes pragmatic compromise, alongside action that has direct impact.”

Lauren Huxley, Union Affairs Officer at Leeds University Union (LUU), said: “We’re really pleased to see the University acting on such an important topic, which is clearly at the forefront of many students’ minds.

“Policy was recently passed at LUU asking us to lobby the University to declare a Climate Emergency and we see the climate crisis principles as a much more extensive step in the right direction.

“It’s clear that, alongside University staff, students’ passion for the future of our planet has been recognised, listened to and helped drive the direction of these principles.”

The University of Warwick recently introduced similar measures by declaring a climate emergency, also pledging to reach a net zero carbon footprint by 2030.