Colleges ban Oil and Gas Companies from Recruiting Students

Multiple universities In the United Kingdom Have prohibited fossil fuel Companies encourage students to apply for jobs on campus, in the name of fighting climate change.

Fossil Free Careers is a project by People and Planet. It demands that postsecondary institutions prohibit companies from using fossil fuels. “oil, gas, and mining industries” Participating in careers fairs, or listing their vacancies online. Birkbeck University of London is named as the group’s “best” candidate. “first campaign win.”

The school’s policy formerly said that the career services department will “not hold relationships of any kind with oil, gas or mining companies as part of our commitment to increased sustainability and addressing the climate crisis,” As per the listing web archives and the People and Planet website. As detailed Bryn Richards was a Birkbeck student. She questioned many university officials about this move and the school eventually removed the reference. “oil, gas or mining” Instead, he is committed to ending all relationships “with any companies that have not demonstrated a commitment to positive environmental and ethical business models.”

Richards observed that Richards had noted that new policy This prohibition could be worse than the previous one, because it allows more flexibility for interpretation. “This is part of our commitment to increased sustainability and addressing the climate crisis,” The current rule is in effect. “This includes, but is not limited to, attendance at careers events and other recruitment opportunities, posting role vacancies, sponsorships, and advertising.”

According to a report, University of the Arts London and University of Bedfordshire, England, as well as Wrexham Glyndwr University, Wales, have adopted fossil-free recruiting policies. report The Guardian. These policies are being taken as energy prices rise to new heights in the United Kingdom due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Liz Truss, former British Prime Minister, was replaced Rishi Sunak, a lawmaker from Rishipuram two months before, had asked for higher fossil fuel production And set the goal to be a net exporter in 2040.

Many have suggested that the excessive reliance on renewable energy has led to high energy prices in Europe. The European Union, out which the United Kingdom recently left, follows the official goal The possibility of becoming “a climate-neutral society” By 2050, in accordance to the European Green Deal or the Paris Climate Agreement.

Similar activist groups have been active in the United States encouraging universities to withdraw investments from the fossil fuel sector and advocate for a reduction in carbon emissions. Divest Harvard celebrated Last year, Harvard President Lawrence Bacow announced The university will allow existing investments to expire and refuse to make new ones. “For too long, Harvard has stood on the wrong side of history, lending legitimacy to the companies driving global warming and environmental injustice,” According to the group.

Some institutional investors are beginning to move away from the ESG movement. This is a part of broader trend toward ESG. suffered The energy sector has witnessed a record year of profitability over the last year. Harvard Management Company, which manages the elite university’s endowment, admitted Last month, the $51 billion organization suffered a $2.3 billion loss. This was due to efforts to divest from fossil fuels. However, it remains “proud to be deeply engaged in the issue of sustainability.”