Call on your University to Endorse the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal
The science is settled. Now our universities must speak up.
Thousands of institutions have endorsed the call to negotiate a Fossil Fuel Treaty, which has helped build momentum behind the bloc of 25+ nations developing a new international instrument to govern the phase out of coal, oil and gas production. From churches, to health institutions, to businesses and civil society organisations, a powerful and diverse global coalition has backed this proposal. Over 3,000 academics and scientists have backed the proposal, and tens of thousands of students. Now academics and students are working together to call on Universities and academic institutions to formally endorse the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal and help build further momentum behind this ambitious global effort.
Find out who’s endorsed below, and access resources and support to inspire your own University or Academic Institution to become one of the first to endorse the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal globally.
Universities, Academic Institutions and Student Unions that have endorsed the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal to dateDublin City University
When a university speaks, governments listen. A university is a trusted, independent voice in its city and country. Its endorsement tells national leaders that the people who generate the evidence want them to act on it. The students currently attending these institutions will witness the impacts of fossil fuel expansion for the rest of their lives.
Over the past decade, many Universities and Academic Institutions have shown significant leadership in cutting ties with the fossil fuel industry, ending investments in coal, oil and gas and closing fossil fuel-funded research centres, scholarships, and grant programs. This divestment effort is critical and can be accompanied by advocating for government action on an international level through supporting the negotiation of a Fossil Fuel Treaty.
Just as nuclear-free cities helped build the momentum for a treaty banning nuclear weapons, local leaders are now uniting behind a Fossil Fuel Treaty. 200 subnational governments across six continents have endorsed it, from London, Paris and Los Angeles to Nairobi, Lima, Kolkata and the City of Sydney.
Universities can do for the Fossil Fuel Treaty what cities have done: show governments that the call is coming from every part of society, and that it is growing.
Endorse as a University, Academic Institution or Student UnionEndorsing is simple. Universities, academic institutions and student unions can endorse the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal in a number of ways. A university's governing body, a recognised body within it, or senior staff, passes a resolution or issues a public statement supporting the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty. It ideally then lets its national government know.
An endorsement can come from:
The university itself, through its council, senate, governing board or senior staff. This carries the most weight.
The students' union or guild, through a vote at a student council or general meeting.
The staff union branch, through a motion at a general meeting.
A faculty, school or research institute, through a statement from its leadership.
To be listed publicly, please complete the form on this page.
We also encourage institutions to make a public statement on their website or social media (see UCC statement), and to communicate their support for the Fossil Fuel Treaty to the relevant Minister of their national government, encouraging the country to join the Bloc of 25+ Nations Developing a Fossil Fuel Treaty.
Separately, individual academics and scientists can sign this open letter.
Want to call on your University to endorse?To date, university endorsements have come through the powerful advocacy of academics, staff, student unions, groups, and individuals. Access toolkits below for guidance on approaching your local academic institution.