OUR CAMPAIGNS
It’s time to kick big oil off our campuses
The campaigns run by members of the Campus Climate Network are rooted in a common vision to transform our universities into the institutions we need to achieve a just energy transition. Members of our network have translated this shared vision into a diverse array of campaign demands. A non-exhaustive sampler of the campaigns being run by CCN member groups can be found below.
Fossil Free Research
Sunrise Columbia organizes call for Fossil Free Research during the CCN Fall 2023 Day of Action.
For decades, the fossil fuel industry has sought to mislead the public on the realities of climate change and obstruct climate action. Fossil fuel funded research (especially climate research) provides Big Oil with undue legitimacy, bolsters industry greenwashing, and skews the research we need to inform a just energy transition. It’s time to end fossil fuel-funded research at our schools.
Fossil Fuel Divestment
Sunrise NYU student organizers demand fossil fuel divestment at campus protest.
Our planet is burning and our schools are investing in the fire. Our endowments must not be used to fuel the climate crisis.
Fossil Free Careers
Sunrise Brown student organizers demand fossil fuel dissociation, including Fossil Free Careers.
We envision a future with just, green, good jobs for all. Fossil fuel industry recruitment on our campuses must stop.
Green New Deal for Campuses
The Campus Climate Network at the March to End Fossil Fuels in New York City.
To achieve a just energy transition, we will have to change everything. Let’s start with our universities.
Campus Decarbonization
A UC San Diego student leads a march calling on UCSD to decarbonize and stop burning fracked methane.
Universities cannot be true climate leaders while continuing to rely on oil and gas for energy. This is especially true when policy incentives (such as the Inflation Reduction Act) make decarbonization affordable. We are fighting back against performative carbon neutrality plans that lack transparency and rely on greenwashing solutions such as carbon offsets. We demand genuine campus decarbonization.
And So Much More!
Student Organizers with Climate Justice University of Toronto occupy a campus branch of RBC Bank – the world’s largest financier of fossil fuel development – resulting in the university cutting ties with the bank.
Each university’s relationship with the fossil fuel industry and its enablers is unique. Today’s campus climate movement cannot be defined by a set list of campaign demands that student activists are forced to choose from. Student climate activists are constantly implementing new campaign demands that are tailored to the unique context of their university. Examples of campaign demands not detailed in this section include efforts to cut ties with the banks who fund Big Oil, board of trustees democratization campaigns, community reinvestment, pension fund divestment, and more.