Fossil Free La Trobe How La Trobe University can address climate and financial risks

Acknowledgement of Country

We want La Trobe University to be a leader in sustainability Responsibility for the decisions shaping Australia’s future lies not only with our political leaders, but also in the actions and interactions of business, media, civil society, academia and all citizens -John Dewar ( making-for-a-better-future ) making-for-a-better-future “.”.”

The Maths 2-3 degrees = sea levels rise and greenland ice sheet disappears, amazon rainforest destroyed, sea level acidity rises and disrupts food chain 4-5 degrees= human habitation shifts to poles, sea ice from both poles completely melts, dramatic effects on biodiversity >6 degrees= human population drastically reduced,90% species extinct, human populations restricted to highlands and poles, runaway warming beyond human influence

What we are asking of La Trobe University: Immediately freeze any new investment in fossil fuel companies. Divest within five years from direct ownership and from any commingled funds that include public equities and corporate bonds in the top 200 coal, oil and gas companies as listed by Fossil Free Indexes. Commit to full disclosure of the carbon exposure of its investments and provide regular public reports of its progress.

La Trobe University is already undertaking some great sustainability initiatives: Signed onto the UN Declaration: Commitment to Sustainable Practices of Higher Education Institutions 100% post consumer recycled printing and toilet paper Sustainable transport Have developed an extensive Sustainability Plan

La Trobe’s Sustainability Plan ●“Vision informed by...our belief that social environmental and economic sustainability need to be integrated across everything we do and embedded in our daily work” ●“Realising our sustainability principles will be central to how we are judged” ●“Recognising that sustainability encompasses economic, social and environmental dimensions” ●“Integrating sustainability across all operations, curriculum and research” ●“Embedding sustainability in the culture and practices of the university, through broad set engagement with staff, students, employers and partners in the community and government” ●“Becoming known as the leading sustainable university in Australia and a leader internationally”

While ESG policies are a great step in the right direction…...they do not exclude companies that do harm. By excluding companies that have been targeted because: ●they own enough coal, oil and gas to exceed the safe carbon budget and, ●the largest contributors to politicians globally, many are also influencing legislation, funding deniers and receiving billions in government handouts each year the university would be sending a powerful social message that Australia, and the world, needs to move beyond non-renewable energy as soon as possible.

Having investments in the fossil fuel industry will become increasingly risky as countries who Australia exports fossil fuels to take on more ambitious action on climate, and as the divestment movement grows.

Divestment Successes 14 universities 32 cities 51 religious institutions 29 foundations