DivestSFU

The DivestSFU coalition, consistent with the University's commitment to sustainability, calls upon Simon Fraser University's Board of Governors  to:

  1. Increase transparency in regards the climate risk and carbon intensity of SFU’s investments;

  2. Immediately freeze any new investment in fossil-fuel companies; and

  3. Divest within five years from direct ownership of, and from any funds that include, fossil-fuel public equities and corporate bonds.

Timeline

2019/20

In 2019, the Board first committed to reducing its carbon footprint of the Endowment portfolio 40% by 2030. SFU 350 also presents to the RIC on increasing this target to 70%, and later on shareholder engagement as a way of reducing the carbon footprint of the portfolio. The Board then passes a motion on increasing the target to 45% by 2025, a significant achievement for SFU 350.

2017/18

SFU350 presents to the RIC on having benchmarks for the 30 by 30 policy. Next, SFU350 does research into the limitations of carbon footprinting and pushes for divestment, along with a carbon footprint reduction target of 50% by 2030. In the fall, the team meets with Kirsten Zickfeld, IPCC author, and determines a new target of 70% by 2030.

2015/16

SFU350 develops and facilitates several events during this period including "Reinvest in our Future Week," a Faculty panel discussion on divestment, and an "SFU 100" event. Next, the group prepares a response to President Petter’s suggestion to create a policy for a 30% reduction in the carbon footprint of the university’s investments by 2030 (30 by 30 policy). The group decides that it is not enough and that students will keep pushing for full divestment. The Responsible Investment Committee integrates some of the suggestions from the SFU community about the Divestment policy. Finally, SFU passes the 30 by 30 policy.

2013/14

SFU350 is formed by a few undergraduate students and Sustainable SFU (now Embark). A campaign is launched online, via tabling and posters in order to attract attention to divestment and the newly formed group. Eventually, the group is divided into 3 working groups: one for student outreach, faculty outreach, and board outreach. The first presentation on divestment is given to the board of governors, and the Responsible Investment Committee is created along with a responsible investment policy.