Scotland Becomes Part Of Divestment Movement

Today marked an announcement stating that funds valued at over US$5 trillion have now divested from fossil fuels at press conferences in New York and London.

Global commitments to divest have reached 688 institutions across 76 countries, representing $5 trillion in assets.

At the press event actor Mark Ruffalo spoke about his foundation’s decision to divest, following in the footsteps of actor Leonardo DiCaprio’s similar move in 2015.

The announcement was made exactly one year after major protests in Paris marked the end of crucial United Nations climate change talks. The UN agreed it would seek to limit global warming to safe levels, but did not agree a credible plan to end fossil fuel use.

The fossil fuel divestment movement is growing fast in Scotland. Two churches and five universities in Scotland have now made commitments, including Abertay University and the University of the West of Scotland announcing that they would divest within the last month.

More and more organisations and investors are recognising that they need to invest in this future, and stop profiting from pollution

Ric Lander, Friends of the Earth Scotland Divestment Campaigner said: “A safe, healthy future will be one without fossil fuels. More and more organisations and investors are recognising that they need to invest in this future, and stop profiting from pollution.

“It’s hugely encouraging to see that across the world so much money is flowing away from irresponsible investments in fossil fuels and into low-carbon solutions like renewable energy.

“In Scotland organisations like the Church of Scotland and University of Glasgow have begun divesting from fossil fuels, representing hundreds of millions of pounds now invested fossil-free.

There is growing pressure on Scotland’s Local Government Pension Funds, which last year were revealed to hold £1.7Billion in fossil fuels, to act to safeguard our future.

“Other investors, like our local councils, will be left behind if they don’t make the choice to invest responsibly.”

May Boeve, 350.org Executive Director said:

“As we enter the final weeks of 2016, the hottest year in history, the success of the divestment movement is undeniable, in the face of intensifying climate impacts, and regressive and anti-climate governments like the Trump administration, it’s more critical than ever that our institutions — especially at the local level — step up to break free from fossil fuel companies.”