Three more UK universities have banned fossil fuel companies from recruiting students through their careers services, with one citing the industry as a “fundamental barrier to a fairer and more sustainable world”.
University of the Arts London, University of Bedfordshire and Wrexham Glyndwr University join Birkbeck, University of London, which was the first to adopt a fossil-free professional services policy in September.
The moves follow a campaign backed by student-run group People & Planet, which is now active at dozens of universities. The group said universities have been “targeting the companies most responsible for the destruction of the planet”, while the climate crisis was “the definitive issue in most students’ lives”. The campaign is supported by the National Union of Students and the Union of Universities and Colleges, which represents academics and support staff.
“The approach supports future generations to make meaningful career decisions,” said Lynda Powell, chief operating officer at Wrexham Glyndwr University (WGU). “With this we are supporting the development of a sustainable workforce for the future.”
WGU’s policy says, “We take our responsibility to social and climate justice seriously…there are some industries that we see as fundamental barriers to a more just and sustainable world.”
Professor David Mba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Arts London, said: “In line with UAL’s commitment to climate justice and its social purpose, it does not work with companies in the fossil fuel, mining, weaponry or tobacco.”
University of Bedfordshire policy states that fossil fuel companies are excluded from all activities, including careers fairs and work placements.
J Clarke of People & Planet said: “All three universities should be recognized for their climate leadership. It is vital that our universities demonstrate with actions, not words, that they are taking part in climate justice and not the industries that they plunge us deeper into a climate crisis that is hurting the least responsible first and worst.”
The Guardian revealed in May that the world’s biggest fossil fuel companies were planning numerous “carbon bomb” oil and gas projects that would drive the climate beyond internationally agreed temperature limits and cause catastrophic global impacts. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also told American students that month: “Don’t work for the climate destroyers. Use your talent to propel us towards a renewable future.”
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Student protests have already targeted pro-fossil fuel events, including at Oxford University, where students blocked an event by mining group Glencore, and at the University of Sheffield, where a protest blocked events from BP and ExxonMobil.
Around 20% of UK universities have already banned certain sectors of their professional services, including the tobacco, pornography and gambling industries. Almost two-thirds of UK universities have divested their endowment funds from fossil fuels.