Monday 23-10-2023 - 14:28

In September 2022, GCU student Laura Yapp gained access to GCU's Investment portfolio through a Freedom of Information request and began a divestment campaign on campus. The University, she found, had investments in Shell, BP and an arms manufacturer through an investment firm. She contacted the Students’ Association who linked her up with Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK) who were able to provide guidance and support in bringing this to the attention of the University and campaigning for divestment from these funds. 

Laura, after being invited to a meeting with Paul Queen, the University’s Chief Financial Officer said they "developed a working relationship and discussed how the university investment portfolio and ethical investment portfolio could be improved. This led to the full divestment, both direct and indirect from both oil and gas and armaments funds in January 2023." 
 
Paul Queen said, “Glasgow Caledonian University has recently completed a process which has resulted in a complete divestment, both direct and indirect, from fossil fuel or hydrocarbon management entities from its investment portfolio. In addition, the University does not invest in companies in the alcoholic beverages, tobacco, armaments or defence sectors. We worked closely with our students and the Students' Association in reviewing our investment portfolio and their input has been invaluable as we ensured that our investment portfolio and policy align with the values we share"
 
Thanks to Laura and the relationship with the University The previous holdings have now been entirely divested from their other investments and have been replaced with funds focussing on green energy and sustainable forestry. Laura Said: "I hope that the steps GCU has taken to divest their investment portfolio encourage other universities in Scotland, and across the UK to do the same."