This follows the passing of the FFC policy proposal at our Union Executive, which is a representative democratic body of the Union membership, where elected student representatives decide whether to ratify policy proposals that have been proposed and debated by students.
Through this policy, the Union’s student body calls on UCL Careers to end recruitment partnerships with oil and gas companies, refuse any new relationships with them, and actively promote sustainable career pathways for our student community.
As a university, UCL shapes the lives of its students and encourages them to become responsible, globally-minded citizens who strive to make a positive impact. The Union’s student membership believes the continued promotion of fossil fuel careers stands in direct contradiction to this mission.
The destructive impacts of the climate crisis are widespread and long-lasting. The fossil fuel industry, in particular, has played a central role in driving this crisis. Despite public commitments to sustainability, oil and gas companies continue to invest overwhelmingly in fossil fuel extraction, allocating only a fraction of their resources to renewable energy.
While UCL has taken important steps, including full fossil fuel divestment in 2019, continuing to act as a recruitment pipeline for fossil fuel companies undermines these efforts.
Importantly, this policy does not aim to restrict individual career choice. Students should always have access to impartial, one-to-one careers advice for any sector they wish to pursue. However, the Union membership firmly believes that UCL should not actively promote an industry that contradicts its climate commitments.
We are proud to stand alongside a growing number of Students’ Unions across UK universities in supporting the Fossil Free Careers campaign. Our democratic process has concluded that it is time for UCL to ensure its career services reflect its values and climate commitments.
Our officers and student representatives look forward to working with UCL Careers and relevant university bodies to ensure student voices are heard in de-platforming the fossil fuel industry from our campus and community.
Together, we can continue building a just and sustainable future.
Union Executive
If you would like to get more involved in sustainability and climate action at UCL, reach out to our Sustainablility officer, Alan Salazar Guerra