Campaigners at Sussex University holding a banner reading "fossil free careers"

10 universities in the UK have now explicitly prohibited the fossil fuel industry from recruiting students on their campuses.

Aberystwyth University’s decision to commit to ending its recruitment ties to the industry delivered the milestone. In an updated Ethical Careers Policy published on Aberystwyth’s website, the university states that it will “no longer collaborate or hold relationships” with fossil fuel, mining or tobacco companies.

Alongside being the 10th UK university to publish such a policy, Aberystwyth has become the third in Wales to do so.

Aberystwyth made its commitment after negotiations with People & Planet, the UK’s largest student activist network. The group coordinates the UK-wide Fossil Free Careers campaign, which demands university careers services adopt an ‘Ethical Careers Policy’ that excludes oil, gas and mining companies from recruitment relationships.

The campaign has been backed by the National Union of Students (NUS) and the Universities and Colleges Union (UCU).

Josie Mizen, Co-Director for Climate Justice at People & Planet said: “We’re delighted to see Aberystwyth committing to cutting fossil fuel and mining companies out of its careers and recruitment activities. By doing this, the university is sending a clear message: that it will put the future of its students ahead of fossil fuel industry profits.

“As the climate crisis escalates, it’s never been clearer that universities have a crucial role to play in turning the tide against the fossil fuel industry. In the last month we’ve witnessed floods devastate communities from Wales to Spain, destroying homes and even claiming lives. In the face of this destruction, it’s encouraging to see Welsh universities leading the way in cutting ties with the companies most responsible for this crisis. We hope that more universities will follow their lead before it’s too late.”