Due to the many gaps in the divestment policy, Sunrise Columbia as well as Columbia Policy Institute’s Energy & Environment Center, have been working to pressure ACSRI (the Advisory Committee for Socially Responsible Investing) for more transparency and to close the glaring holes in the policy.
In the 2022-23 school year, CPI submitted a detailed report to the University examining how the policy still allows the University to benefit from and fund fossil fuel companies despite their stated commitment to stop this practice. They also launched a petition to accumulate student support for the cause.
In April 2023, Sunrise held a rally on Low Plaza to promote the petition. We were joined by speakers from numerous institutions in NYC, including NYCC (New York Communities for Change and Sunrise NYU).
On Earth Day 2024, CPI filed a legal complaint to the New York State Attorney General over fossil fuel investments in the endowment. Read about the legal complaint in a Guardian article here.
These efforts are ongoing.
Check out CPI’s Petition and sign it here.