Don’t get left behind: Why Cambridge’s Colleges need to catch up with the University and

commit to full divestment now

For years, campaigners in Cambridge have been calling for full divestment from fossil fuels,
emphasising that the University and Colleges cannot continue to legitimise those industries
that are driving climate breakdown by maintaining investments in them. Through public
divestment announcements, respected institutions remove this legitimacy, helping to chip
away at fossil fuel companies’ social license to operate. Sustained pressure from
campaigners has resulted in huge divestment wins in recent years. Most notably, last year
the central Cambridge University Endowment Fund (CUEF), through which many of the
individual Colleges invest some of their capital, committed to full divestment from fossil fuels
by 20301. The £3.5 billion CUEF fund will now be refocused towards investments in
renewable energy companies. Whilst the University has much more work to do, including
cutting its research and sponsorship ties with extractivist, ecologically destructive industries,
the vast majority of Colleges have not taken even this first step towards addressing climate
breakdown. That urgently needs to change.

In the wake of the central University’s decision, pressure has been building on Colleges to
reassess their investment portfolios and to divest the considerable investments that they
hold independently of the University. Just a few days after the University’s announcement,
Christ’s College also committed to full divestment by 2030, joining Clare Hall as one of the
only fully divested Colleges.2 Other colleges have also committed to partial divestment from
direct investments, although the non-divested portions of these Colleges’ portfolios often
make up the bulk of their investments, as is the case with Jesus College.3 Some, like St
Catharine’s and Trinity Hall, have taken promising steps towards more responsible
investment policies, but have stopped short of full divestment from fossil fuels across their
entire investment portfolio. Momentum is building, with a growing number of student-led
campaigns emerging across the colleges. Pembroke’s recent divestment decision, just a few
months after the launch of the Pembroke Climate Justice Campaign, has shown the power
of this type of student organising. Trinity’s divestment announcement further hammers home
that there simply are no longer any excuses for Colleges not to commit to full divestment
from fossil fuels. Through collectively exerting pressure on the Collegiate university, we have
seen again and again that students have real power to achieve long-overdue,
common-sense climate action policies like divestment.

So today, we are launching a joint campaign of students from across the non-divested
Colleges, urging them to commit to introducing a publicly accessible ethical investment
policy which excludes the fossil fuel industry. This campaign focuses on all Colleges yet to
meet this basic standard of committing to full divestment from fossil fuels. We will meet
regularly to share tactics, express solidarity and discuss how our campaigns might best
support each other. We will consider how the Cambridge colleges might be understood as
interdependent, relying on and looking to one another in their decision making, and how
students can collectively maximise our influence. We urge students and staff at all
Cambridge colleges to get in contact (at undivestedcamcollegesactnow@gmail.com). We
1
https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/cambridge-to-divest-from-fossil-fuels-with-net-zero-plan
2
https://www.christs.cam.ac.uk/news/climate-change-investments-and-carbon-footprint-college-council
-statement
3
https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/20233; www.varsity.co.uk/news/20216
aim to put people in contact with others at their college, build links between campaigns, and
support individuals interested in finding out more about their College’s divestment status or
even starting their own campaign.

Failing to divest fully places these Colleges, which should be at the forefront of responsible,
evidence-based climate policy, in the position of laggards needlessly dragging their feet. At
Jesus, for instance, £46 million is invested independently from the University4 through
Cazenove Capital in funds exposed to a whole host of fossil fuel investments. Similarly,
Selwyn College remains invested in Rio Tinto, a mining company which provoked
international outcry after destroying a 46,000 year old Aboriginal heritage site in Juukan
Gorge5. A quick look at just one of the funds, State Street UK Equity Tracker Fund6, through
which Clare College invests 20% of its portfolio reveals that the College remains invested in
fossil fuel companies BP and Contour Global, as well as Barclays Bank, the largest funder of
new fossil fuel projects in Europe7. These are just a few specific examples, but a similar
story is true at all Colleges which are yet to divest.

This laggard status is also wholly unnecessary. As the University’s decision made clear,
divestment is a financially viable option which is not associated with adverse financial
consequences. In fact, divestment actually insulates Colleges from the increasing volatility of
fossil fuel investments, as the world moves towards a lower-carbon economy. Indeed, ethical
and sustainable funds are also now regularly outperforming conventional ones8. Colleges’
relatively simple, smaller investment portfolios makes a rapid divestment decision all the
more easy. In the face of a rapidly accelerating climate emergency for which wealthy
countries in the Global North are disproportionately responsible, the moral imperative to act
is clear. Wealthy institutions within these most heavily polluting nations must actively
condemn companies which, through their ongoing support of fossil fuel extraction projects,
continue to put profit over people and planet.

So today we are putting all un-divested Colleges on notice, urging them to show moral
leadership and commit to full divestment from fossil fuel companies. We can no longer
remain in a morally indefensible position that the University has also proven to be financially
unnecessary. Instead, let us take a united stand against industries that are quite literally
fuelling the collapse of our life support systems. Let us not only condemn these
worst-offending companies, but also put our significant financial and reputational capital
towards positive investment in a greener, more ethical future. Let’s not be laggards any
longer. Let’s lead. We should be going so much further, but committing to full divestment is
the first, vital step.

Signatures, JCRs

4
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/college_investments_13#incoming-1445743
5
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/college_investments_24#incoming-1423728
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/28/rio-tinto-juukan-gorge-native-title-mining-co
mpany-executive-reshuffle-mainly-pr
6

https://www.ssga.com/Legal/AUT/Semi%20Annual%20Report/UK_Tracker_Semi_Annual_Report.pdf
7
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/feb/12/barclays-pressure-fossil-fuel-loans-asset-manage
r-amundi
8
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/jun/13/ethical-investments-are-outperforming-traditional-fu
nds
 1. Peterhouse JCR Committee
2. King’s College Students Union (KCSU)
3. Murray Edwards JCR Committee
4. Newnham College JCR Committee
5. Queens’ College JCR
6. Jesus College JCR
7. Selwyn College JCR
8. St Catharine’s JCR
9. Union of Clare Students (Clare JCR)
10. Magdalene College JCR
11. Girton JCR Committee
12. St John’s College JCR
13. Emmanuel College Students Association

Signatures, MCRs

1. Robinson MCR
2. Clare College MCR Committee
3. Corpus Christi MCR Committee

Signatures, Organisations

1. Selwyn College Green Collective

2. Jesus College Climate Justice Campaign (JCCJC)
3. Clare College Divestment Campaign
4. Climate Action Emmanuel
5. Murray Edwards Climate Justice Campaign
6. Extinction Rebellion Cambridge Universities
7. Trinity Responsible Investment Society

Signatures, Individuals

1. Zak Coleman, Undergraduate, Jesus College

2. Isabel Roberts, Undergraduate, JCR President, Selwyn College
3. Oscar Simms, Undergraduate, Clare College
4. Georgia Grey, Undergraduate, JCR President, Peterhouse College
5. Marina McCready, Undergraduate, Clare College
6. Kam Galloway, Undergraduate, Peterhouse College
7. Sophie Carlin, Undergraduate, Peterhouse College
8. Louis Brettkelly, Undergraduate, Peterhouse College
9. Charlie Barty-King, Postgraduate (PhD), Wolfson College
10. Kathy Yoon, Undergraduate, Peterhouse College
11. Maddie Milner, Undergraduate, Selwyn College
12. Rory Cockshaw, Undergraduate, JCR President, St Catharine’s College
13. Jacob Turner, Undergraduate, Queens’ College
14. Theodore Brook, Undergraduate, Selwyn College
15. Eddie Wilkinson, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
16. Phoenix Ali, Undergraduate, JCR Vice-President, Emmanuel College
17. Cath Churchill, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
18. Anna Hayward-Surry, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
19. Lorna Speed, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
20. Izzy Thomas, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
21. Jacob Turner, Undergraduate, Queens’ College
22. Clíodhna Herkommer, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
23. Alex Provost, Undergraduate, JCR Vice-President, King’s College
24. Alexander Govan, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
25. Caroline Faessler, Postgraduate, Selwyn College
26. George Worrall, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
27. Charlotte Grace McGuire, Undergraduate, JCR President, Emmanuel College
28. Frankie Murgatroyd, Undergraduate, Murray Edwards College
29. Emily Porter, Undergraduate, Murray Edwards College
30. Cat Parry, Undergraduate, Murray Edwards College
31. Jonathan Roessler, Postgraduate, Robinson College
32. Lina Hacker, Postgraduate, Corpus Christi College
33. Kate Pruden, Undergraduate, JCR Green and Charities Officer, Magdalene College
34. Joshua Reid, Postgraduate, Fitzwilliam College
35. Emma Paterson, Undergraduate, Gonville & Caius College
36. Alice Maynard, Undergraduate, Christ’s College
37. Maddy Fisher, Undergraduate, Selwyn College
38. Genevieve Badia-Aylin, Undergraduate, St Catharine’s College
39. Lucy Atkin, Undergraduate, Jesus College
40. Allison O’Malley Graham, Undergraduate, Murray Edwards College
41. Amelia Holloway, Undergraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
42. Lia Lothian, Undergraduate, Murray Edwards College
43. Rosie SmartKnight, Undergraduate, JCR Green Officer, Trinity Hall College
44. Tara Choudhury, Undergraduate, Sidney Sussex College
45. Oscar Bray, Undergraduate, Jesus College
46. Rosie Stevenson, Undergraduate, JCR President 2019-20, Newnham College
47. Hannah Charlotte Copley, Postgraduate, Jesus College
48. Ella Nevill, Undergraduate, UCS President 2020-21, Clare College
49. Emma Johnson, Undergraduate, Jesus College
50. Annie Mackley, Staff
51. Kezhe Temir, Undergraduate, St Catharine’s College
52. Harvey Brown, Undergraduate, Jesus College
53. Jack Ward, Undergraduate, Jesus College
54. Anjum Nahar, Postgraduate, Murray Edwards College
55. James Hirst, Undergraduate, Jesus College
56. Daan Timmers, Undergraduate, Fitzwilliam College
57. Leeza Isaeva, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
58. Dottie Birss, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
59. Henry North, Postgraduate, Corpus Christi College
60. Colin Kaljee, Postgraduate, Corpus Christi College
61. Saski Wiginton, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
62. Elianna Rabinowitz, Undergraduate
63. Kathryn Skazick, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
64. Uyen Bui, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
65. Madeleine Anderson, Undergraduate, Clare College
66. Katherina Samways, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
67. Verner Viisainen, Postgraduate, Pembroke College
68. Charlotte McConnell, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
69. Drew Sellis, Undergraduate, Jesus College
70. Adam Lewis, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
71. Libby Gande, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
72. Finnian Robinson, Postgraduate, Emmanuel College
73. Elias Michaut, Undergraduate, Clare College
74. Tabitha Blackburn, Undergraduate, Jesus College
75. Rose Caddy, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
76. Colleen, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
77. Ella Curry, Undergraduate, Jesus College
78. Nicki Fletcher, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
79. Tara Cavan, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
80. Jess Hoskins, Undergraduate, Clare College
81. Mark Zang, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
82. Celine Baxter, Family of student
83. Alice Fraser, Undergraduate, Jesus College
84. Alex Mason, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
85. Riva Kapoor, Undergraduate, Girton College
86. Emily Dougans, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
87. Gorak Rajesh, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
88. Monty Dunn, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
89. Lena Morrill, Postgraduate, Clare College
90. Rosa Prosser, Undergraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
91. Megan Lloyd, Undergraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
92. Alice Lawrence, Staff - Research Assistant
93. Mantasha Husain, Postgraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
94. Elenea Doran, Undergraduate, Jesus College
95. Sophia Nie, Undergraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
96. Paula Espada Blanco, Undergraduate, JCR President, St John’s College
97. Gabriel Recchia, By-Fellow, Postgraduate, Churchill College
98. Kirsty Mackinlay, Postgraduate, Robinson College
99. Louis Cohen, Undergraduate, Homerton College
100. Madeleine Freeman, Undergraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
101. Amy Shailes, Undergraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
102. Sophie Hemmings, Postgraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
103. Daisy Thomas, Undergraduate, Robinson College
104. Miriam Dzah, Undergraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
105. Yi Ting, Undergraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
106. William Moody, Postgraduate, Queens’ College
107. Charlie Wedd, Postgraduate, Queens’ College
108. Paula Darwin, Postgraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
109. Lylaah Bhalerao, Postgraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
110. Priyanka Patel, Undergraduate, Pembroke College
111. Akshar Abhyankar, Undergraduate, Pembroke College
112. Evan Wroe, Postgraduate, Queens’ College
113. Mathilde Corcoran, Undergraduate, Magdalene College
114. Matthew Perry, Undergraduate, Pembroke College
115. Karris McGonigle, Undergraduate, Jesus College
116. Zannah Lindley, Postgraduate, Jesus College
117. Lena Hannah Dogra, Postgraduate, Murray Edwards College
118. Catrin Darsley, Postgraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
119. Zara Neill, Undergraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
120. Linda Yu, Undergraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
121. Bethany Thomas, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
122. Hannah Back, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
123. Imani Thompson, Undergraduate, Lucy Cavendish College
124. Simon Timmins, Undergraduate, Sidney Sussex College
125. Nuvpreet Kalra, Undergraduate, Newnham College
126. Lily Fonzo, Non-Student
127. Massimo Zambernardi, Undergraduate, Jesus College
128. Laura Barbieri, Postgraduate
129. Trey Taylor, Undergraduate, St John’s College
130. Lucian Morié, Undergraduate, King’s College
131. Amy Bowen, Undergraduate, Murray Edwards College
132. Stanley Lawson, Undergraduate, Clare College
133. Sven Wang, Postgraduate, Trinity College
134. Lydia Heinrichs, Postgraduate, Trinity College
135. Oliver Hailes, Postgraduate, Trinity College
136. Chloe, Alumni, Lucy Cavendish College
137. Ida Petäjäsoja
138. Natalie Jones, Postdoctoral Research Affiliate, Hughes Hall College
139. James Miller, Undergraduate, Pembroke College
140. David Kempton, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
141. George Herbert, Undergraduate, St John’s College
142. Sophie Mance, Undergraduate, Corpus Christi College
143. Becky Calder, Undergraduate, Emmanuel College
144. Franklin Kendal, Undergraduate, Clare College
145. Anna Mahtani, Undergraduate, Selwyn College
146. Nikhil Seth, Undergraduate, JCR Welfare Officer, Homerton College
147. Mia Cook, Undergraduate, Homerton College
148. Annabel Worth, Undergraduate, Murray Edwards College
149. Laleh Bergman Hossain, Undergraduate, Clare College
150. Tara Garlick, Undergraduate, Clare College
151. Jacob Powell, Undergraduate, Jesus College
152. Seth Collin, Undergraduate, Clare College
153. Emily Robinson, Postgraduate Research Student, Murray Edwards College
154. Abigail Collins, Postgraduate, Murray Edwards College
155. Cécile Thiaucourt, Postgraduate, Murray Edwards College
156. Claudia Pallucca, Postgraduate, Murray Edwards College
157. Helen Oliver, Postgraduate, Murray Edwards College
158. Elisa de Padua, Postgraduate
159. Anna Kliampa, Postgraduate, Murray Edwards College
160. Maria Rust, Postgraduate, Murray Edwards College
161. Elisha Bagg, Undergraduate, Selwyn College