At the University of Bath, a determined group of students took a stand against the influence of major fossil fuel and weapons corporations on campus. During the Autumn Careers Fair, the People & Planet Bath student group challenged recruiters from companies such as ExxonMobil, L3Harris, and GE Aerospace, spotlighting their roles in driving climate change and warfare.
Starting on Monday, October 13, twenty-six activists peacefully displayed posters and handed out leaflets inside the fair to raise awareness among peers about the environmental and ethical controversies surrounding these firms. However, university security intervened, initially permitting the students to stay with signs but eventually removing them altogether for allegedly creating an “intimidating” atmosphere for company representatives.
Undeterred, the protesters relocated to the building foyer to continue engaging attendees and to gather signatures for a petition urging the university to sever links with fossil fuel and arms industries. Sarah Hafner, the protest organizer, condemned ExxonMobil’s climate denial financing and criticized the university for seemingly welcoming such corporations onto campus.
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“Our institution should be leading the way toward a just and sustainable future, not facilitating recruitment by fossil fuel, mining, and weapons manufacturers,” Hafner stated. “We will persistently hold them accountable.”
Throughout the week, the students experienced close surveillance by security personnel, with reports of fellow students being turned away from the event on its final day, October 17. Nonetheless, the campaign saw significant support, with over 300 petition signatures collected and many expressing interest in joining the cause.
This local action aligns with the wider Fossil Free Careers movement spearheaded by People & Planet. To date, twelve UK universities have barred fossil fuel companies from their careers services, and twenty-three student unions, representing more than 568,000 students, have pledged to boycott recruiters from oil, gas, and mining sectors. Supported by the National Union of Students and endorsed by the University and College Union, the initiative calls for ethical accountability in university career opportunities nationwide.
The campaign at Bath encourages supporters to sign their petition and keep updated through their Instagram page @peopleandplanetbath.