Campaigners hail the move as more universities turn away from unethical investments
Glasgow’s Caledonian University (GCU) has pledged to stop investing in fossil fuels.
Student network People and Planet revealed the university is the 10th organisation in Scotland to begin divestment from fossil fuels.
It following in the footsteps of The University of Glasgow which was the first in Europe to divest.
Keith Baker, researcher in Sustainable Urban Environments at GCU said: "This is an industry that must now undergo a managed decline towards 2025-2030 if we are to meet our emissions reduction targets, so as well as demonstrating GCU's commitment to its motto of The Common Good, it also makes sense financially.
“With students becoming increasingly aware of the links between universities and the fossil fuel industry, it is an important differentiator between those who have responded to the need to practice what we preach, and those who might promote renewable energy but still maintain investments in fossil fuels."
In 2012, GCU was the only Scottish university to sign the Green Education Declaration, a commitment to reduce carbon emissions and integrate sustainability into teaching and learning across all subjects.
This year’s league table also ranked Scottish universities for their overall environmental performance scoring Edinburgh Napier University top, followed by University of Edinburgh.
Hannah Smith from People & Planet, said: "Since the People & Planet University league began the number of universities employing environment staff has doubled and now all universities have a set policy on their environmental impacts.
"The league table has consistently and unashamedly held universities to account over the last decade and today we're excited to celebrate yet another Scottish university taking the decision to break ties with the fossil fuel industry."
Ric Lander, Friends of the Earth Scotland divestment campaigner added: “Congratulations to Glasgow Caledonian University: by divesting they are showing that we can make a world without fossil fuels, and that starts now.
“This year the world has seen devastating floods, violent hurricanes, and communities lost to rising seas. This climate crisis is being driven by fossil fuel use and GCU’s decision to end their relationship with the companies responsible is a really significant step.”
