Is BP Institute about to be renamed by University of Cambridge?

The University of Cambridge has refuted reports that the BP Institute has been renamed after a flurry of media and online stories suggested a change of name for the fossil fuel-branded facility on Madingley Road had been agreed.

In a statement on the reports, the university said that ‘no formal decision’ has been made despite an announcement by Fossil Free Research that the BP brand had been removed in a bid to escape association with the fossil fuel company.

The story began when Fossil Free Research, a Cambridge-based organisation wanting to end the influence of fossil fuel money on climate change-related research in universities, tweeted on July 24 that “Cambridge University is renaming the BP Institute”.

“Now,” added the group which consists of academics and climate experts, “it must take the clear and critical next step of fully dismantling its financial ties to BP and all oil and gas giants.”

Other media also ran the story: The Sunday Times’ education editor reported that “Stephen Toope, the University’s vice-chancellor, had told academics that a name that better reflects the university’s values is to be agreed”. EuroNews.green ran a story headlined ‘Cambridge University to remove BP’s name from building, but students say Big Oil’s cash must go too’. It said: “Cambridge is tipped to become the first UK university to remove an oil company’s name from one of its buildings.”

Although clearly keen to enjoy the moment in what has been a dispiriting time for climate activists – last week’s record UK temperatures will surely be followed by more drought, with no sign of the wholesale abandonment of fossil fuels – the community’s enthusiasm was tempered by the memory of previous false hopes.

Dr Emily Sandford, an academic in the Earth Sciences department at the university, said: “Cambridge is lending academic credibility to companies that have worked to undermine scientific consensus on climate change for decades. BP has no place on a university campus, and I hope the university cuts ties with Schlumberger next.”

Jason Scott-Warren, a university English literature professor and climate activist, said: “This is great news, and testimony both to the power of activism and to the recognition of the scientific community that things need to change fast if we are to avert catastrophe.

“But the University of Cambridge continues to collaborate with the likes of BP and Shell, and to accept millions of pounds of research funding from them.

“It urgently needs to sever all ties with these companies, which are locking in climate collapse by expanding their oil and gas operations, and corrupting our democracy through their political lobbying.”

Zak Coleman, who has just completed his term as Undergraduate President of the Cambridge Students’ Union, said: “I have spent the last 12 months calling time and time again on University leadership to stop collaborating with the fossil fuel giants who go on ignoring the desperate calls of scientists and frontline communities, wilfully choking off any chance of a liveable future for my generation. Each time, these calls fell on deaf ears.

“Make no mistake, the renaming of the BP Institute is a deeply cynical PR move intended to shield the University from public criticism – even as it continues to accept millions from the fossil fuel industry’s blood-stained coffers. It is years of high-profile student and community campaigning – not any genuine intention to stop collaborating with the fossil fuel industry – that has embarrassed the university into this decision.

“Until Cambridge ends all partnerships with BP, Shell, Exxon, Schlumberger and more, its mass greenwashing of the industry destroying habitable life on Earth goes on.”

The BP institute is an interdisciplinary research facility established 22 years ago through a £22m donation from the British oil and gas giant. It says its research has “a focus on fluid mechanics and surface science” and continues to offer annual fully funded PhD scholarships.

A spokesperson for the University of Cambridge said: “The University of Cambridge is a democratic institution and there are always discussions about a very broad range of issues including the names of its many buildings and institutes. No formal decision has been made to rename the BP Institute.

“The University decided in 2020 to accept donations from energy companies only if they aligned with our aims of working towards a zero carbon future. The research conducted at the BP Institute focuses on developing a range of energy sources to help in the transition, including battery technology, geothermal power, and carbon storage.”

A spokesperson for Fossil Free Research told the Cambridge Independent that a formal announcement is still on the cards.

“Our understanding is that The Sunday Times article is based on a source familiar with internal conversations within the University,” they said. “They are saying no formal decision has been made because it is awaiting absolute final approval in the University’s creaky governance system. We believe that is why The Times article says ‘Cambridge is poised to’.

“Our understanding is that it is a case of dotting the Is and crossing the Ts rather than the decision actually being yet to have been made. The University clearly do not want a large public announcement because it draws attention to the rank hypocrisy of continuing to accept money from fossil fuel companies and maintaining a large range of other named professorships and prizes within the University, including the Shell Professorship of Chemical Engineering and BP and Exxon-sponsored academic prize).

“They clearly also want to remove an embarrassing high profile symbol of these relationships to mitigate increasing negative PR.”