First university partially divests from fossil fuels

Vancouver Observer 05 December 2014

Concordia University in Montreal announced it would be divesting CAD5 million (US$4.4 million) of its endowment fund from fossil fuels to establish a special sustainable investment fund, reports the Vancouver Observer.

The fossil fuel divestment movement has been gaining momentum on campuses across Canada in recent months. At the University of British Columbia, organisers have gathered hundreds of faculty in support of divestment. In Toronto, hundreds of students marched in favour of fossil fuel divestment this past month, and all across the country campaigns are starting, from BC to Saskatchewan and all the way to Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus in Newfoundland.

“The decision by Concordia University is an exciting first step for Canadian universities on the path to divestment from fossil fuels,” said Kelsey Mech, National Director of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, the organisation which coordinates student divestment organising across Canada.
Full report on the Vancouver Observer site

Receive UWN's free weekly e-newsletters

Sponsored Article

Getting to net zero, one community at a time

University of Victoria staff

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation is a University of Victoria-led collaborative initiative that brings together over 40 partners, including Indigenous knowledge keepers and community leaders, to create innovative place-based solutions for energy system transformation.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Africa pays a premium for global climate change sluggishness

Stellenbosch University staff

Africa needs to stop paying the price for the rest of the world’s recalcitrance to act fast enough in response to the irrefutable conclusions that climate change is real and that the impact of global warming could be devasting, says Professor Guy Midgley, interim director of the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Innovations to ensure energy savings in a hot, arid climate

UAE University staff

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University have shown that the potential benefits of building energy savings and a cooler indoor environment, as well as improved cooling effect on air temperature at pedestrian level, strongly indicate that a cool roof with high solar reflectance and albedo is a promising strategy for buildings in regions with hot, arid climates.

Promoted by United Arab Emirates University.

Sponsored Article

A new global university ranking with an ethical mission

Aftab Dean

A new university ranking system aims to serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in higher education, ensuring that universities create an environment grounded in integrity and sustainability that inspires and supports students and staff in the development of novel solutions to global challenges.

Promoted by Globethics.net.

Sponsored Article

SDG progress report launches university into new territory

University of Pretoria staff

In the publication of its first progress report on its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, the University of Pretoria is navigating new territory at the same time as it is acknowledging its clear stewardship role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.

Promoted by the University of Pretoria.