December

Fossil Free QUB: Queen's University & Queen's Students' Union Joint Statement

We are very pleased to say that the student environmental activists, who have been occupying a building in the University since Friday of last week, have come to an agreement with the University.

The University and the Student's Union have released a joint statement outlining the commitment from both sides over the next few months:

After a constructive meeting with Senior Management, Fossil Free QUB has agreed to end their sit-in and occupation of the Administration Building. Queen’s University Belfast and the Students’ Union, in a joint statement, agreed the following:

1. Queen’s University Belfast and QUB Students’ Union are committed to the development of a socially responsible investment policy that represents best practice, is consistent with Vision 2020 and the University’s Carbon Management Plan, and will underpin investment decisions made by the University.
2. This will involve a comprehensive review of the University’s current Investment Policy, engaging all relevant stakeholders in this process, including the Students’ Union and Fossil Free QUB.
3. A timetable for completion of the review has been agreed, with recommendations on any proposed policy changes scheduled to come to Senate, the Governing Body, on 21 June 2016.
4. The objective of this comprehensive review, to include the consideration of indirect investment in Fossil Fuels, is to ensure that the University’s Investment Policy is aligned with best practice in the area of “Socially Responsible Investment” and with the University’s vision.
5. The University reaffirms its policy of not holding direct equity investments, including in fossil fuels related companies. 
6. The review, involving all relevant stakeholders, including the Students’ Union and Fossil Free QUB, will take due account of the outcomes of the recent COP 21 Paris Agreement.