Come along to the University of Cambridge Divestment Conference on November 2nd to explore and engage in all aspects of the fossil fuel divestment debate. Divestment has been a much discussed topic in Cambridge over the past few years and this conference will be a fantastic opportunity to hear from key decision makers and help move the debate forward.

Drawing together researchers, campaigners and academics, as well as key University decision makers and representatives from communities at the frontlines of fossil fuel extraction, this conference will be an important moment in exploring the full implications of the University’s continued investment in fossil fuel companies.

ACCESS STATEMENT: There is wheelchair access. There is padded seating, and an accessible toilet. There is a hearing loop by request in advance. There isn't a gender neutral toilet, a bsl interpreter, or a designated quiet space.

The full schedule is as follows:

10am-11am: Question and Answer Session with the Vice Chancellor, Chief Financial Officer, and Director of Cambridge Zero

The President of the Students' Union will facilitate a question and answer session with the Vice Chancellor, Chief Financial Officer, and Director of Cambridge Zero on the fossil fuel divestment debate. There will be an opportunity for members of the audience to present any questions they may have.

11am-12.15am: Divestment: legal and financial spotlight

This panel will explore the legal and financial aspects of divestment. We will be joined by a range of experts who will analyse how divestment relates to the legal obligations of trustees, whether it is a financially sensible policy, and the performances of existing fossil free funds. Speakers will include:

Mark Campanale: Mark Campanale is the Founder and Executive Director of Carbon Tracker, and part of the investor outreach team. Mark had twenty five years experience in sustainable financial markets working for major institutional asset management companies. Mark is a co-founder of some of the first responsible investment funds firstly at Jupiter Asset Management in 1989 with the Ecology Funds, NPI with Global Care, the AMP Capital Sustainable Future Funds, and Henderson Global Investor’s Industries of the Future Funds.

Luke Fletcher: Luke Fletcher is a partner at the law firm Bates Wells and co-leads their Impact Economy practice. He is an expert on the legal duties of trustees relating to fossil fuel divestment.

More speakers TBA

12.30pm-1.45pm: Communities on the frontlines of fossil fuel extraction

It is crucial to center the voices of the communities most affected by climate breakdown and resource extraction in the fossil fuel divestment debate. In this discussion we will hear from representatives of communities on the frontlines of fossil fuel extraction. We will hear from:

Lazarus Tamana: Lazarus Tamana is the European Coordinator of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP). MOSOP is a mass‐based social movement organization of the indigenous Ogoni people of the Central Niger Delta. MOSOP is the umbrella organization of currently 11 member groups representing more than 700,000 indigenous Ogoni in campaigning for social, economic and environmental justice in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.

A representative (TBC) from Aar Li Nu Bokk UK Diaspora group. Aar Li Nu Bokk is a broad citizen front in Senegal to safeguard the oil and gas wealth of Senegal from exploitation and corruption. They have been campaigning against the current Senegalese president Macky Sall in relation to allegations of corruption in the awarding of oil contracts, as recently reported by the BBC.

1.45-2.45pm: Lunch

Free vegan lunch will be provided by the University Catering Service. If you have any dietary requirements please get in contact via ethicalaffairs@cusu.cam.ac.uk.

2.45pm-3.45pm: Discussion with members of University Council and student representatives

This will be a facilitated discussion between members of University Council, student representatives, and members of the audience present. Everyone will be invited to participate in the discussion. Members of University Council attending will include Professor Nick Gay, Sharon Flood, and the presidents of the Cambridge Univerity Students’ Union and Graduate Union.

4pm-5.15pm: Divestment: social and political spotlight

This panel will explore the recent history of the global divestment movement, as well as analysing its effectiveness in achieving its social and political aims. Speakers will include:

Bill McKibben: Bill McKibben is an author, environmentalist, and activist. He is a co-founder and Senior Advisor at 350.org, an international climate campaign that works in 188 countries around the world. He is considered to be one of the founders of the global divestment movement.

Julia Peck: Julia Peck was the co-chair of the Oxford Climate Justice campaign from 2017-2019, a campaign calling for Oxford University to divest from fossil fuels.

Louisa Casson: Oceans campaigner at Greenpeace and campaigner with Divest Parliament

5.15pm: Closing remarks

If you have any questions or would like further details about the conference please get in touch at: ethicalaffairs@cusu.cam.ac.uk