Three UK universities have cut ties with fossil fuel recruiters following a campaign by the student-led group People & Planet. 235,000 students are involved with the campaign by supporting organisations to get universities committed to fossil fuel-free career services.
The People & Planet campaign now has four universities committed to a more sustainable and greener career service for its students. Backed by the National Union of Students, the campaign has seen 58,640 students attend fossil-free careers universities.
Who Are People & Planet?
People & Planet are a student-led network that campaigns for social and environmental justice. Fighting climate change, resource depletion and inequality, their goal is to “build an empowered generation of change-makers who are equipped with life-long skills, motivation and networks to be a force for change in achieving a more equitable and sustainable world.”
Every year, the network trains 2,000 young people to take on the causes that they are concerned about. They want young people to feel empowered and skilled enough to take on these missions beyond People & Planet. With over 50 years of experience, they have pushed and pressured UK universities to make fundamental changes to support young people’s futures.
Outside the UK, they have also:
- Helped 1,200 Honduran workers get back into employment.
- Forced the UK government to cancel $88bn worth of debt from developing countries.
- Got G8 to pledge 100 per cent access to HIV/AIDS treatments
Now, People & Planet are getting students involved to encourage universities to cut ties with fossil fuel recruiters.
3 More Universities Abandon Fossil Fuel Recruiters
The University of the Arts London, the University of Bedfordshire and Wrexham Glyndwr University have also cut ties with fossil fuel recruiters. Back in September, Birkbeck, University of London became the first university to adopt the careers policy.
However, this isn’t enough and the hope is that more universities will follow suit. People & Planet say that by encouraging careers in this industry, UK universities are promoting the power of fossil fuels:
“By actively promoting careers in the oil, gas, and mining sectors, universities are reinforcing the power of those industries and contributing to the climate and ecological crisis. This practice must end.”
When Birkbeck made the commitment, they said the following about what it meant for their future:
“Birkbeck Careers will not hold relationships with any companies that have not demonstrated a commitment to positive environmental and ethical business models. This is part of our commitment to increased sustainability and addressing the climate crisis. This includes, but is not limited to, attendance at careers events and other recruitment opportunities, posting role vacancies, sponsorships and advertising. Our work with certain companies might be limited or excluded where there is a conflict of interest with the College as a whole.”
The three additional universities have made similar promises. The Guardian reports that WGU’s executive director of operations said the following about the change:
“The approach supports future generations to make meaningful career decisions. Through this, we are supporting the development of a sustainable workforce for the future.”
The campaign influencing three additional universities is a huge achievement. However, there is still lots of work to be done to get other UK universities involved and make the fundamental change. To get involved Sign People & Planet’s petition and join the movement.