What's Going on in Human Rights: February 2024 - Divestment campaign

Amnesty UoB have been busy in recent weeks. We had our litter pick event during volunteering week. Additionally, since our EGM, we have welcome Harshita Solanki as a new member of committee. We look forward to seeing what we can accomplish in these last few weeks of term. Starting with our upcycling collaboration with craft soc this Wednesday.

The most recent development for Amnesty this term has been our new addition to the climate change campaign. We are asking that the university divest from fossil fuels. As it stands the University of Birmingham is the only Russel Group university continuing to invest in fossil fuels. Although this only represents a fraction of the university's investment portfolio, at just 0.22%, we believe it is wrong in principle for the university to be giving any money to such companies. As an educational institution, UoB should be investing in its students futures not against them.

One company the university has particularly close ties to is BP. This is one of UoB's industry partners and, as the university websites says itself, 'is one of the largest producers of oil and gas in the world.’ BP even supply the business school with guest lecturers, revealing a direct influence on the education of Birmingham students.

BP, the Guardian revealed last December, put billions more into fossil fuels than green energy. BP has been accused of green washing. In fact, in 2022, BP generated just 0.17% of energy from renewable sources. We know that, in 2022, 97% of the company's investment went to fossil fuels and investment in renewable products was even reduced from 2021. How can the university justify its involvement with a company that does not seem at all interested in transitioning to green energy? Climate justice is a human rights issue, and to support companies which threaten the environment is to support companies which threaten human rights.

This year, we've had the hottest February since records began in England and Wales. According to the World Health Organisation, there are already 3.6 billion people living in areas which are highly susceptible to climate change. They expect that, between 2030 and 2050, climate change will cause roughly 250 000 additional deaths per year, from undernutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress alone. If this is the future created by companies the university collaborates with, how can it claim to care about the future of its students?

Although it is saddening to consider the threat of climate change, and the university's part in that, we are hopeful for our new campaign. We know student voices can make a difference. Already, last year, student activism led to a vote which meant the guild instituted a policy of boycotting oil and gas company recruiters. We look forward to seeing more and more people getting involved, and we believe that with this momentum change is possible.

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By Charlie O'Keeffe