Divest from fossil fuels.

Demand our public institutions cut financial ties with the fossil fuel industry.

Fossil fuel companies are the wealthiest and most powerful companies on the planet, and they’re using their money, power and influence to block every serious attempt to stop climate change.

By convincing our institutions to divest and publicly break their ties, we can challenge the industry’s reputation and power.

Divestment is simply the opposite of investment – it means getting rid of stocks, bonds or investment funds that are unethical.

We want public institutions like councils, universities, faith groups, charities and more to divest from fossil fuel companies within 5 years. 200 publicly-traded companies control the vast majority of coal, oil and gas reserves. Those are the companies we’re asking our institutions to divest from.

The aim of the fossil fuel divestment campaign is to weaken the political influence of the fossil fuel industry, which keeps holding back action on climate change. Every time an institution publicly breaks its ties with fossil fuel companies, we chip away at their power to carry out their immoral business plans.

Get involved

There are people across the UK organising in their communities to push for divestment. Everyone is connected to an institution that shouldn’t be investing in the fossil fuel industry.

Councils across the UK are investing over £16 billion in fossil fuel companies like Shell and BP through the pension funds they manage. There are already over 30 groups working for divestment, and anyone anywhere can get campaigning with their local community to kick fossil fuels out of our councils.

Find a local campaign and get involved

If you’re a student, you can call on your university to break ties with the fossil fuel industry and stand up for our future. Almost half of UK universities have already made divestment commitments, but there’s still work to do.

go to People & Planet’s website to find a university campaign

Our MPs should be taking action on climate change, but their pensions remain invested in fossil fuel companies. Over 100 MPs have already signed the pledge to Divest Parliament, but more are needed to pressure the pension fund and build support for climate action in parliament.

Email your MP and get involved in the campaign to Divest Parliament

There are also divestment campaigns running in health institutions, faith groups, charities and workplaces across the UK.

Check out the work of some of our partners for more information:

Case Study:

Fossil Free Southwark

In 2016, Southwark became the second council in the UK to commit to fully divest.

This victory was the result of a brilliant campaign by local group Fossil Free Southwark, who spent 18 months building local support and political power.

Learn more about the campaign’s journey

Resources

Everything you need to get campaigning for divestment: