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Student protests Bristol University ‘hypocrisy of the highest order’
A student graduating from the University of Bristol’s Society, Politics and Climate Change course used the opportunity to stage a protest against the university’s ongoing relationship with fossil fuels companies.
At his graduation ceremony on Friday, Paddy Vipond waited until his name was called before unfurling a banner that read ‘UoB took £3m from fossil fuel since 2017 #FossilFreeCareers’ which he paraded in front of an applauding crowd of university staff, his fellow graduating students and their families.
“This protest is part of the ongoing struggle to end the unethical relationship between UK universities and fossil fuel companies,” Vipond – a 35 year old Masters student who graduated with Distinction – told Bristol24/7.
is needed now More than ever
“The first stage of this campaign is to ensure universities divest completely from this planet-destroying industry.
“Whilst the University of Bristol has divested – something it regularly highlights and proudly promotes – it still happily accepts millions of pounds in funding and donations from fossil fuel companies. This shameful policy is hypocrisy of the highest order.”
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In the official video of the ceremony Vipond can be seen preparing for his protest at 4.31 minutes and, while his action has been censored by the university, the crowd reaction can clearly be heard.
One YouTube user commented: “Time needed for Bristol Uni to cut the livestream and silence protest: 5s. Time needed for Bristol Uni to cut ties with the fossil fuel industry: 4 years and counting…”
The action was part of the Fossil Free Careers campaign which is demanding the university stops accepting money from fossil fuel companies and excludes oil, gas and mining companies from its recruitment services.
Vipond, who has worked extensively with NGOs and is a longstanding campaigner for human rights and environmental issues, said he felt compelled to act.
“I protested at my graduation because my conscience leaves me no other choice. I cannot stand idly by whilst the university I am – or was – a part of accepts millions of pounds from fossil fuel companies – particularly whilst it reaps the social and reputational benefits of widely promoting their divestment policy,” he said.
“My graduation was perhaps the final opportunity to use my voice and my position as a student of the institution to demonstrate my opposition.
“They present an ethical face and sustainable practices on one hand, whilst hiding their dealings with fossil fuel companies from staff, students and the public on the other.”
The action was part of a wider campaign calling for the University of Bristol to sever all ties with fossil fuel companies
Vipond joined fellow student campaigners outside the Wills Memorial Building where they held banners in an attempt to raise awareness of the issue. Their protest comes following the hottest year on record in which temperatures broke the 1.5 degree threshold scientists suggested could be pivotal point for the planet and humanity.
“The climate crisis is here. It is at our doorstep,” Vipond told Bristol24/7, referencing the LA wildfires, widespread flooding in Valencia last year and a record-breaking heatwave in Europe in summer 2024.
“It has become increasingly obvious to me that solving the climate crisis is the most important challenge we collectively face.
“I’d like to be part of that solution. It’s why I left my previous job in London, it’s why I went back to Uni at the age of 33, it’s why I am protesting at my graduation, and it’s what I’ll dedicate my life to going forward.”
Vipond went on to graduate after his action, and says he will dedicate his life to the climate crisis going forward
Responding to the protest, a University of Bristol spokesperson said: “The University of Bristol plays a key role in tackling environmental change through its research, its teaching and how it operates. Our research partnerships undergo stringent due diligence checks and ethical review.
“Though the University works with a small number of organisations within the fossil fuel sector, the emphasis is primarily on the progressive side of their businesses, focussing on lower carbon futures. Examples of this type of research include:
- Creating sustainable materials providing alternative lower energy, greener routes to essential chemicals
- Developing the basic science behind the exploration of new copper deposits which are essential as conductors to transport renewable electrical power
- Reducing Co2 emissions by designing catalysts as green routes to renewable fuels
“Sustainability remains one of the central strands shaping the University’s vision of the future. We were the first in the UK to declare a climate emergency in 2019 reaffirming our strong and positive commitment to take action on climate change and, a year later, in 2020 we completely divested from all investments in fossil fuel companies.
“We’re working towards becoming net zero by 2030 and continue to work with industry and other sectors using research to help reduce carbon emissions.
“The Cabot Institute for the Environment is at the forefront of world-leading research into environmental challenges and our expert academics provide advice and guidance to decision-makers on an international, national and local level.”
All images provided by Paddy Vipond
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