University of Cambridge governing body ballot to consider future fossil fuel funding

The University of Cambridge is set to hold a democratic ballot on the issue of whether to continue accepting research and sponsorship partnerships with fossil fuel companies.

The development comes after years of glacial discussions on divestment. This first-ever vote of its kind follows a proposal – submitted as a Grace – by 84 senior academics, apparently questioning the university’s seeming reluctance to disengage from investment and research collaborations from big oil companies including Schlumberger, Shell, BP and ExxonMobil.

The Grace system is triggered where a proposal receives the backing of at least 50 members of the Regent House, Cambridge’s supreme governing body. Academics are then allowed a vote on matters involving the governance of the university.

The submission sent to Regent House called for the University Council – the university’s principal executive and decision-making body – to consider whether to decline sponsorship, research funding and other financial involvements with fossil fuel companies engaged in exploring new fossil fuel reserves or helping the construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure.

The world’s dozen largest oil companies are planning to spend £85million a day for the rest of the decade on new oil and gas projects – some are using technology developed in Cambridge and enjoy the veneer of respectability the Cambridge brand bestows on those based in or near the city.

Fossil Free Research said: “We welcome this move, which follows years of sustained campaigning by local community groups, students, academics and the growing international movement for Fossil Free Research, and urge all academics to vote in favour of this proposal.

“As they weigh their decision, we hope they will hold in their minds those who do not have a vote in this ballot, but for whom its outcome will be decisive: from the frontline communities in the Global South already experiencing devastating climate impacts to the students and young people whose futures hang in the balance.

“If our universities are to produce independent, credible climate research that protects academic freedom and addresses the climate emergency, institutions like Cambridge must urgently end Big Oil’s capture of higher education institutions. We hope others soon follow.”

The outcome of a ballot of the Regent House is definitive and the Grace, once voted on, will be implemented, amended or rejected. However, Graces can be amended by the University’s Council, or other members of Regent House. That stage possibility could occur when the submission is put to the council – though when it is put before the council, it’s not a yes/no vote, and could be diluted. However, the move is an opportunity for the university to state its current position on fossil fuel investments and collaborations.

A university spokesperson said: “Our partnerships support world-leading research which is critical to the energy transition, including battery technology, solar energy and aviation technology. The university currently works with partners who are carefully assessed and chosen because they have highly specialist skills and expertise, scale, and access to global markets which can help significantly accelerate the transition towards net zero.

“The criteria for collaboration includes an assessment from experts who are asked to focus on whether the work contributes to the energy transition.

“The issue of collaboration remains under discussion within the university.”