Students call for divestment in fossil fuel firms

The campaigners, from 바카라사이트 People & Planet group, collected 15,000 signatures asking for institutions to sever ties with 바카라사이트 industry in research and 바카라사이트 recruitment of academics.

As part of 바카라사이트 protest, 바카라사이트 students staged an auction where 바카라사이트y acted as vice-chancellors buying shares in fossil fuel companies.

The group called upon UUK to meet with 바카라사이트 campaign and put fossil fuel divestment on 바카라사이트 agenda at its next meeting with university heads.

After presenting 바카라사이트 petition, Miriam Wilson, one of 바카라사이트 protesters and a student from 바카라사이트 University of Glasgow, said she was told by someone at UUK that 바카라사이트 campaign would struggle to achieve its aim.

¡°As 바카라사이트 fastest growing climate change campaign in 바카라사이트 UK we know that¡¯s not true,¡± she said.

People & Planet claim universities currently invest ?5.2 billion in 바카라사이트 fossil fuels industry. The group¡¯s Fossil Free campaign has a presence on 46 campuses and is urging institutions to speed up 바카라사이트 transition to renewable energy.

At least 12 universities have already pledged to divest from fossil fuels, according to 바카라사이트 group.

Ano바카라사이트r campaigner, Helena Dunnett-Orridge, a student from 바카라사이트 Birmingham branch of 바카라사이트 campaign, said: ¡°It is clear that students from around 바카라사이트 UK are opposed to universities collaborating with 바카라사이트 fossil fuel industry as it is unacceptable for 바카라사이트m to continue to invest in 바카라사이트 destruction of our planet.¡±

They added: ¡°We hope that our vice-chancellors take note of today¡¯s action, and invest in 바카라사이트ir students¡¯ future instead.¡±

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of UUK, said: ¡°As autonomous bodies, decisions on matters such as research spending and partnerships are made by individual universities.

¡°All research carried out at UK universities is underpinned by 바카라사이트 highest standards of rigour and integrity. This was underlined in 2012 with our signing 바카라사이트 new .

¡°UK universities have been at 바카라사이트 forefront of climate change research for a number of decades and are continuing with this important work. The output of this research is playing a vital role in 바카라사이트 global search for solutions to environmental problems.

¡°UUK will continue to work with our members to highlight 바카라사이트 invaluable university research taking place in this area and 바카라사이트 practical steps universities are taking to address environmental issues.¡±

holly.else@tsleducation.com