Mission
At Fossil Free ANU, we’re working to get the Australian National University to divest all its holdings in fossil fuels. Fossil fuels cause incredible damage to ecological and human health, and contribute to the wanton destruction that is climate change.
By investing in fossil fuels, the ANU provides a social contract for fossil fuel industries to keep polluting. We believe that this is irresponsible to both the current and future inhabitants of our planet to profit from these industries.
Our requests are simple. We call on Chancellor Gareth Evans and Vice-Chancellor Ian Young to:
1. Investigate and disclose the full carbon exposure of the Australian National University’s investments;
2. Stop all further investment in fossil fuel extractive industries; and
3. Develop a strategic plan to transition its portfolio away from fossil fuels and towards clean investments.
Who We Are
Fossil Free ANU is a working group of the ANU Environment Collective. We’re a group of diverse, connected and socially aware students that believe passionately in sustainability, social justice and simple common sense.
Whether through activism, collective action, or education, we’ve all got a role to play in shaping the future of our local, national and international communities.
Our Story
Fossil Free ANU began when we were alerted by community activists in the Northern Rivers region of NSW of the ANU’s holdings in a coal seam gas company, Metgasco. A campaign was launched to get the ANU to divest from Metgasco, which the Vice-Chancellor committed to.
But Metgasco was only the beginning. Since then, we’ve found out that the ANU still has significant holdings in the fossil fuel industry. Of their 20 largest investments, 13 are involved with fossil fuels. In total, at least 8 ANU investments are involved in fossil fuel extraction, with 6 in the top 200 carbon reserves world wide.
We’re now working to get the ANU to divest entirely from fossil fuels. Through broad-based engagement with other student groups on and off campus, we’re working on multiple fronts to convince the university administration to sell their shares.
We’ve joined a growing global movement to get institutions and cities to divest. Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, and we need to act before it’s too late.
A working group of the 
Fossil Free ANU 