Timeline of SFU350
Our Beginning
2013/2014
- SFU350 is formed by undergraduate students and Sustainable SFU (now Embark), launching an online campaign and presenting to the Board of Governors in March 2014.
- Three working groups are established for student outreach, faculty outreach, and board outreach.
- Responsible Investment Committee (RIC) is created, and the university signs onto the UNPRI (UN Principles for Responsible Investment).
- VP Finance commits to releasing the university's custodian reports in September 2014.
- SFU350 engages in petitions, pledges, social media campaigns, high school outreach, and dialogue with the SFU Board of Governors and Responsible Investment Committee.
2015/2016:
- SFU350 discusses the future of the Divest SFU Campaign in March 2015.
- Hosts a panel discussion in collaboration with SFU Faculty Association on the role of the university in society, using divestment as a case study in March 2015.
- Develops and facilitates events, including "Reinvest in our Future Week" and an "SFU 100" event.
- SFU passes the 30 by 30 policy, committing to a 30% reduction in the carbon footprint of the university’s investments by 2030.
2017/2018:
- SFU Climate Coalition is formed, focusing on climate policy endorsement and realizing Option 2.
- SFU Climate Executive Council/Committee is established for stakeholder involvement in meeting climate goals.
- SFU350 presents to the RIC on benchmarks for the 30 by 30 policy and conducts research into carbon footprint limitations, pushing for a 50% reduction by 2030.
2019/2020:
- SFU and Embark Sustainability host three climate engagement sessions in November 2019 and February 2020.
- The Board commits to reducing its carbon footprint by 40% by 2030, with SFU350 advocating for a 70% reduction and achieving a target of 45% by 2025.
2021/2022:
- SFU announces full divestment by 2025 in November 2021.
- SFU350's Climate Emergency Declaration (CED) campaign leads to the university officially declaring a global climate emergency on April 4, 2022.
- SFU350 hosts a joint livestream watch party with Contract Worker Justice @SFU.
- Awards received in 2021-2022: City of Burnaby Environmental Award, Changemaker awards, Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Award, Thakore Awards.
- Other accomplishments include the CED Mural in September 2021 and a celebration in March 2022.
2023/2024:
- Continuing engagement, monitoring, and advocacy for climate action.