Divest Mac
McMaster, like many universities, currently invests in fossil fuels and fossil fuel companies. Currently, 4.3 percent of McMaster’s 800 million dollar endowment fund goes to companies that use non-renewable energy (about 40 million dollars). It is indisputable that fossil fuels, like oil and coal, are leading proponents in the rising global average temperature.
In 2016, McMaster vowed to take an ESG (equity social governance) approach, meaning they would screen all their investments for specific standards, including environmental ones. However, these screenings are not made publicly accessible and can be seen as low commitment in response to pressing climate concerns in 2020.
Our mission at MacDivest is twofold. On the one hand, we want to raise awareness to McMaster students about their university’s unsustainable investments. On the other hand, we want to work and research with academia to formulate a thorough divestment (dis-investment) recommendation to the university that is appropriate given the current climate.
McMaster climate activists push for divestment
This article first appeared in the Hamilton Spectator: https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/2023/03/22/mcmaster-climate-activists-push-for-divestment.html McMaster climate activists push for divestment Divestment from fossil fuels and termination of McMaster’s natural gas peak shaver project are crucial steps if the university is to uphold its promise to create a brighter world, McMaster Divestment Project members write. The McMaster Divestment Project began a hunger strike on Monday, March 20 [...]
Climate Rally, Dec 1
Climate rally. Keep Cootes Green. Thursday, December 1st, 1:00 pm, BSB field McMaster University "Climate rally. Keep Cootes Green. December 1st, 1:00 pm, BSB field. Help us stop the installation of fossil fuel-powered generators on Cootes Drive! Demands: Board of Governors: Stop the generator installation! City of Hamilton: Deny installation permits! Dundas Valley residents: Speak up! McMaster community: condemn the project!" [...]
Climate Strike at McMaster University: 25 Days to Divest
On March 25, 2022, in line with the International Climate Strike Day, MacDivest and Fridays for Future Hamilton called on McMaster University students and staff to participate in a school-wide walk-out from classes, tutorials, and seminars. This walk-out aimed to pressure McMaster’s Board of Governors to commit to a formal plan for divesting their funds from fossil fuels and reinvesting funds into green technologies. [...]
