The University of Bedfordshire has no direct investments in extractor fossil fuel companies and commits to ensuring that they will be excluded from any future investments we make.

This is because we are committed to safeguarding a liveable climate for all.

In December 2015, 195 countries committed to a legally binding international commitment to keep global warming between 1.5 and 2 degrees – the first deal of its kind.

Universities exist for the public good, from conducting life-changing research to educating the global citizens and leaders of tomorrow, and are at the forefront of climate change research. As such we think it’s important to not invest in an industry that has 5 times more reserves than it is safe to burn to stay within the parameters of 1.5 and 2 degrees of global warming.

We have students studying with us from across the world, many of whom come from communities in the Global South who are already feeling the effects of and are on the front line of climate change. We want to protect the future of all of our students – current and future.

We acknowledge that over a quarter of UK Higher Education institutions have thus far committed to divest from these corporations in some way and we wish to add our voice to this growing movement.

We view this decision as us embracing our role as globally significant entities and reflective of our desire to be a part of the just transition to a low-carbon economy.

We hope that many more of our fellow educational institutions will join us.

To this effect, subject to the disclaimer below, the University declares that:

• It currently holds no investments in extractor fossil fuel companies.
• It will never invest in these companies

Bill Rammell
Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive
20^th November 2017

Disclaimer

In compliance with our Ethical Investment Policy, the University has not held any direct investments in fossil fuel companies, and will not do so in the future. As a higher education institution, the University’s employees are eligible to join one of a number of public sector pension funds. The University seeks to exercise influence over the investment strategy of these funds where it can, but is unable to ultimately control or determine the underlying investments. These are therefore considered to be indirect pension investments and therefore fall outside the University's Ethical Investment Policy and Fossil Fuel Declaration.