Fossil Free Cambridgeshire is calling on all local councils in Cambridgeshire to divest investments and pensions from fossil fuels, to institute and abide by ethical investment policies that prevent profiting through causing social harm, and to invest in sustainable industries, such as the renewable energy industry, that help to solve the environmental and social problems we face.

We are a local campaign of concerned citizens. We are working to support our elected representatives to make choices which are best for both the City of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire in relation to fossil fuel investments.

So what is Divestment and why is it important?

Divestment is the selling of stocks, bonds and investments that are unethical. We are calling for divestment from fossil fuel companies, as their business as usual is unsafe for our future of all life on our planet. They are also some of the wealthiest and most powerful companies on the planet, and they’re using their money, power and influence to block every serious attempt to stop climate change. By convincing our institutions to divest and publicly break their ties, we can weaken the political influence of the fossil fuel industry. Every time an institution publicly breaks its ties with fossil fuel companies, we chip away at their power to carry out their immoral business plans.

Divestment from fossil fuels is not about switching off the tap to fossil fuels tomorrow. It is about stopping investment in new projects and the exploration for more oil. We currently have more than enough fossil fuels to see us through a just transition to renewables. In fact, we already have enough known reserves to go beyond this, which will push global temperature rises past safe limits.

But there are many more arguments in favour of divestment.

You can read more here: What is Divestment

Current Actions

Attend the UK Divest national event on 28th April 2022 to find out more about divestment and what you can do to act. Sign up here: Winning on Divestment - UK Election Push 2022 Tickets

Email your local election candidates to make a pledge to divest their pension fund if elected. Click Here

Call on the Cambridgeshire Pension Fund Committee to divest. You do not need to be a pension fund holder. Template Letter Here

If you would like to get more involved, get in touch: TransitionPeterborough@gmail.com

What We've Been Doing - Events, Actions and Successes

Cambridge City Council and Peterborough City Council have both passed motions at full council, supporting divestment of fossil fuels from the pension fund.

We are currently campaigning on various fronts, as different districts are at different stages.

In December 2021 we asked 7 questions of the Pension Fund Committee. Further details, including the questions asked can be viewed HERE.

What an Event!!

Global Divestment Mobilisation 2017

May 5th to May 13th World-wide

We Were Part of Something Big!

Starting 5th May, a global wave of activities lasting ten days took place across 42 countries on six continents, with thousands of people participating in the Global Divestment Mobilisation 2017.

Campaigners, faith groups, academics and impacted local communities built on the Fossil Fuel Divestment movement, which is now spreading in Asia, Latin America and Africa.

In the UK, over 40 events took place calling on local government, faith, health, cultural institutions, politicians and banks to divest from fossil fuels.

As part of the Global Divestment Mobilisation 2017, Fossil Free Cambridgeshire met with local council workers at their places of work in Cambridge and Peterborough to engage with them on the topic of divestment with regards to their pension fund and suggest actions for the council workers to follow up in making a stand for their future, a future free of the volatile risks involved with fossil fuel investments.

Fossil Free Cambridge Meeting with Council Workers at Shire Hall Cambridge as Part of Global Divestment Mobilisation 2017

And Here's the Leaflet We Handed Out

Click here for examples of letters and much more that YOU can send to your local Council any other institution that you think should divest from their investments in fossil fuels

Good News!

UNISON Cambridge Hospitals Moves to Support Fossil Fuel Divestment

Healthcare workers recognise climate change as ‘biggest threat to public health’ and vote to end pension fund investments in fossil fuels

The branch representing UNISON healthcare workers at Addenbrooke’s Hospital has this week (October 7th 2016) backed the ‘divestment’ movement by supporting calls for pension fund investments on behalf of UNISON members to ‘divest’.

Click here to download full press release.

Cambridge City Council Backs the Move Towards a Fossil Fuel-Free Future.

Council supports divestment from fossil fuels and calls on county council and Cambridgeshire Pension Fund to work towards divestment

Fossil Free Cambridgeshire welcomes Cambridge City Council’s commitment to show leadership for a future free from fossil fuels after a motion was passed in full council on the 22nd October 2015.

Click here to download full press release.