Committing to bold climate crisis action
The University of Leeds has fully divested from significant fossil fuel extractors and has set out seven bold principles it will adopt to help tackle the climate crisis.
The principles have been approved by our governing body, the Council, and outline the ambitious steps we are taking to support the global transition to a low carbon future.
They commit to a 2030 net-zero carbon footprint target and a drive to achieve no direct carbon emissions by 2050.
They also include a commitment to reorient research and teaching away from the fossil fuel sector over time. This complements the Climate Active Strategy adopted last year to guide University investment.
As a result of this Climate Active Strategy, we have withdrawn investment from significant fossil fuel extractors Total, BP and, most recently, Shell (Royal Dutch Shell).
Having done so, our exposure to fossil fuel extraction is now minimal, with the limited investment in this sector now focused on supporting companies who are evidently making the transition to alternative energy sources and a low-carbon economy.
The Climate Active Strategy will continue to guide our determined approach to responsible investment.
In an Inside Track published today, Sir Alan Langlands, Vice-Chancellor said, “climate change is the most demanding global challenge we all face.” Read the full article
Lauren Huxley, Union Affairs Officer at Leeds University Union, added:
“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 recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which included significant input from Leeds researchers, warned that humanity has 12 years to take action in order to prevent global warming greater than 1.5°C.
The principles build on our firm foundations of world-leading climate research, a strong focus on sustainability and sector-leading education programmes.
The principles were agreed at the University Council meeting on Thursday 25 July 2019.
Get involved
Staff and students can apply to become Sustainability Architects to help deliver sustainability projects on campus and bring new ideas on how to deliver the University’s ongoing Sustainability Strategy.
The Climate Plan is currently being drawn up by Sustainability, in conjunction with the Priestley Centre and other academic partners. Staff and students can get involved through upcoming workshops, individual discussions with Sustainability or by sharing ideas with sustainability@leeds.ac.uk
Blueprint, our sustainability engagement programme, also aims to help schools and services focus on issues that matter to them which support the University’s sustainability strategic goals. The Sustainability Service works with teams to scope out their potential impacts and opportunities in order to produce an action-plan bespoke to their team. Find out more
Related links
Our seven principles to tackle the climate crisis
Inside Track - Tackling the climate crisis: an obligation, not a choice