1. What would you like the Union to do?
The Union should explicitly ban societies from being sponsored by fossil fuel companies. This would demonstrate a clear commitment to the Union’s sustainability goals and its responsibility to conduct itself in an environmentally responsible manner, as outlined in the UCL SU Sustainability Strategy. Additionally, this policy would eliminate ambiguity in the current sponsorship guidelines, ensuring that societies are treated fairly and consistently when seeking sponsorship.
2. Why would you like to do this?
The current sponsorship guidelines do not explicitly prohibit fossil fuel company sponsorships but suggest that sponsorships may be rejected based on the Union’s belief in inclusive societies. This ambiguity has created confusion and inconsistency, leading to societies feeling unfairly treated when their sponsorship proposals are rejected. It also creates additional administrative burden for those responsible for processing sponsorships. A clear ban would simplify this process and align with the Union’s stated commitment to reaching net zero and its broader sustainability strategy, which prioritizes reducing environmental harm and fostering a culture of climate responsibility.
3. How will this affect students?
This policy would provide greater clarity for societies, ensuring they can plan sponsorship arrangements without fear of rejection due to unclear guidelines. It would also reduce the administrative workload on Union staff, freeing up resources to support societies in other ways. By rejecting fossil fuel sponsorships, the Union would align its operations with its stated values and commitments to sustainability.