EDINBURGH Napier University has announced that it has removed all direct investments from fossil fuel companies.

The university said that in order to maintain achievements and develop its work further, it has set out commitments within a new University Strategy.

This includes the target of achieving net zero carbon in its operations by 2030 at the latest.

Edinburgh Napier said the removal of such investments includes those through share providers.

Members from the Edinburgh Napier Sustainable Society and the Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association were “instrumental” in making their voices heard, the institution said, taking the issue to the university and advocating for the position of divesting from fossil fuels.

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The students also worked with the Edinburgh Napier University Development Trust to ensure that the trust itself – a separate legal entity from the university – also removed all direct investments from fossil fuel companies.

Andrea Nolan, principal and vice chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “This announcement recognises the dedication and enthusiasm of our university’s students and staff to work together to meet our sustainability goals. We have made the commitment to achieve net zero carbon in our operations by 2030 at the latest, while also seeking to minimise both our wider and legacy carbon footprint and influence sustainable practices within and beyond our campuses.

“By removing all direct investments from fossil fuel companies, we are taking significant steps towards meetings these commitments.

“We have a strong history of enhancing environmental sustainability within and beyond Edinburgh Napier, and we will continue to work collaboratively to maintain our achievements and develop our work further through the sustainability commitments embedded within our new University Strategy.”