UT Climate Action Petition

Dear President Jay Hartzell, UT Administration, UT Board of Regents

1.3 million acres of leases. 10,000 producing wells. Millions of dollars in investments.


It’s time to say something about UT’s Fossil Fuels.

Let's cut to the chase: the climate crisis is here, and Texas isn't immune. The 2021 winter storm, termed “Snow-mageddon,” brought our state to its knees, exposed vulnerabilities in our infrastructure, and left millions without power. Even more, in 2022, Texas saw a staggering 279 heat-related deaths—the highest in over two decades.1 In 2023, the world had its warmest year on record,2 and in the US, Texas stood alone as the state with the greatest number of counties experiencing extended periods of abnormally high heat, as shown by the map above.3 In other words, global warming isn't a distant threat; it's hitting home hard.


We can't afford to ignore the warning signs any longer. The time for action is now.

However, it's not all doom and gloom. The climate crisis presents unprecedented opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and leadership. As students and stakeholders of the University of Texas System, we have the power to drive meaningful change. By harnessing our collective creativity and passion, we can pave the way for a more sustainable, resilient future.

An important, yet often overlooked, aspect of our university system's operations is the Permanent University Fund (PUF). Established in the Texas Constitution of 1876, the PUF is a public endowment designed to financially support eligible institutions within The University of Texas and The Texas A&M University Systems. Since March 1996, oversight of this fund has been under the purview of the University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company (UTIMCO). Income generated by the PUF stems from the management of 2.1 million acres spread across 19 counties in West Texas, with 1.3 million acres leased for fossil fuel extraction.4 The entity that serves as the fiduciary steward of these 2.1 million acres is University Lands.5 Between 2018 and 2022, on-campus carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions amounted to 1.6 million metric tons, whereas off-campus university lands contributed 32.6 million metric tons. This surpasses on-campus emissions by over 20 times.6 The emissions released over this four-year period on university lands alone are equivalent to 3.67 billion gallons of gasoline consumed.7

According to UTIMCO’s official website, the “UT System Board of Regents’ mission is to maximize the revenue of the PUF Lands by applying intensive management, accounting, conservation, and environmental programs, which improve and sustain productivity, protect their interests and promote awareness and sensitivity for the environment.”8 Furthermore, the University Lands official website says that they “[strive] to be the best land management organization in the country [by] providing prudent stewardship aimed at protecting the environment while earning the best possible return on investment.”9

While it's commendable that UTIMCO and University Lands have incorporated measures to prioritize environmental protection, a striking contradiction emerges when we examine the substantial revenue generated from leasing land for fossil fuel extraction within the PUF. This heavy dependence on fossil fuels starkly undermines any authentic dedication to environmental awareness, protection, and sensitivity.

We need bold, decisive measures to mitigate our carbon footprint, transition to renewable energy sources, and embrace alternative investments that are financially productive and better aligned with the sentiments of environmental protection that are established in the Board of Regents’ and University Land’s mission statements. By divesting from fossil fuels and gradually accelerating renewable energy projects, we can lead by example and set the standard for climate leadership. Let's unite, raise our voices, and demand the change we want to see. In the face of the climate emergency, complacency is not an option—we must act now.

(OFFICIAL PETITION AND DEMANDS BELOW)

1. https://www.texastribune.org/2023/01/26/texas-heat-deaths-migrants-climate-change/#:~:text=In%20Texas%2C%202022%20saw%20the,historically%20hot%20and%20dry%20summer.

2. https://www.noaa.gov/news/2023-was-worlds-warmest-year-on-record-by-far#:~:text=It's%20official%3A%202023%20was%20the,a%20record%20low%20in%202023.

3. https://www.hhs.gov/climate-change-health-equity-environmental-justice/climate-change-health-equity/climate-health-outlook/extreme-heat/index.html

4. https://www.utimco.org/funds-managed/endowment-funds/permanent-university-fund-puf/

5. https://universitylands.utsystem.edu/Home/AboutUs

6. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/universities-oil-climate-change/

7. https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gases-equivalencies-calculator-calculations-and-references#houseenergy

8. https://www.utimco.org/funds-managed/endowment-funds/permanent-university-fund-puf/





Sponsored by
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Students Fighting Climate Change
Austin, TX

To: Dear President Jay Hartzell, UT Administration, UT Board of Regents
From: [Your Name]

The University of Texas at Austin proudly upholds the motto "What Starts Here Changes the World" and declares its core purpose to be "To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society." Yet, as the dire consequences of climate change become increasingly evident, it is clear that our dependence on fossil fuels is antithetical to this mission. We can no longer afford to ignore the urgency of this global crisis.

To better align the University with its core purpose, “To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society,” we advocate for the development and implementation of a comprehensive Climate Action Plan that encompasses bold and decisive measures to mitigate our carbon footprint by reducing our direct and indirect reliance on nonrenewable energy sources. We call upon President Jay Hartzell, UT Austin, and the UT System Board of Regents to:

1. ACKNOWLEDGE THE CLIMATE CRISIS
We call upon the University of Texas at Austin (UT) to issue a formal statement that
acknowledges the scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change and commits the university to be a leader in the energy transition.

2. ACCELERATE THE RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITION ON UNIVERSITY LANDS
Acknowledging that the shift away from fossil fuels is inevitable, we call upon the UT system to embrace and accelerate the development of renewable energy projects over fossil fuel leases on the 2.1 million acres of university-owned West Texas lands.

3. STRATEGICALLY DIVEST FROM FOSSIL FUELS
We call upon the UT Austin administration to join us in demanding that the UT Board of Regents command the University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company (UTIMCO) to formulate a plan to divest from all direct and indirect assets and financing companies involved in the extraction and refinement of fossil fuels as well as compel all private equity firms it invests in to follow this guideline.

4. INCREMENTALLY RE-INVEST IN NON-FOSSIL FUEL-RELATED INVESTMENTS
We call upon UT to further invest in the development of renewable energy technologies as well as strategically increase their non-fossil fuel-related investments. These investments should adhere to ethical standards and incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. This would better align with the UT Board of Regents’ and University Lands’ explicit commitment to environmental awareness and sensitivity while also offering the potential for strong returns on investment.

5. REENVISION THE CARL J. ECKHARDT NATURAL GAS POWER PLANT
As the world shifts towards renewable energy solutions, UT has the opportunity to lead the charge by transitioning its on-campus power plant to carbon net zero. Such a transformation not only aligns with the growing demand for sustainable energy practices but also provides invaluable hands-on experience and inspiration for students studying in this field to become effective energy change-makers for society.

6. ACHIEVE CARBON NEUTRALITY BY 2040
We advocate fervently for the University of Texas at Austin to commit to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040, matching the city of Austin’s carbon neutrality timeline. This would allow us to act as a catalyst of change rather than a hindrance to progress for the larger Austin community.

7. FORM A DEMOCRATIC CLIMATE ACTION PLAN COMMITTEE
To ensure that the changes called for in this petition are carried out fully, we call on the University of Texas administration to form an independent committee with the power to compose a comprehensive Climate Action Plan with a clear timeline and goals and to approve or deny projects proposed by the university in pursuit of these goals.

In conclusion, we call upon the UT Austin administration to join us in urging the UT Board of Regents to command UTIMCO to divest from all direct and indirect fossil fuel-related assets, ensure all private equity firms it invests in follow this guideline, accelerate the renewable energy transition on university lands, and establish a plan to reinvest in more environmentally sensitive investments to better align with the Board of Regents’ and University Lands’ mission statements. Furthermore, we demand UT Austin to formally acknowledge the climate crisis and establish a comprehensive plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 which will include reenvisioning the on-campus power plant and forming an independent committee to ensure these objectives are successfully carried out. These actions are crucial to upholding the institution’s values and combating climate change effectively. Together, we can truly embody the spirit of "What Starts Here Changes the World."