Pretty much all we know about climate change comes from academia, which makes the news of a leap in fossil fuel divestment by universities in the UK particularly important.
On so many issues over the decades, where universities lead, society follows. Now, as I report here, 43 UK universities have pledged to dump investments in fossil fuels, having accepted the arguments of campaigners that funding these companies is both economically and morally bankrupt.
The idea that green investment is good investment is growing in the financial world too. By last September, over $2.6tn of assets were covered by fossil fuel divestment pledges. In December we’ll get an update on that figure and it’s likely to be much higher. Watch this space.
Damian Carrington, head of environment
