King’s College London (KCL) is a university that prides itself on being at the forefront of climate research and divested from fossil fuels in 2021. However, there is a quiet but critical tug-of-war taking place over the future of student recruitment.
KCL Fossil Free Careers (FFC), a student-led campaign recently ratified by KCL Student Union (KCLSU), is demanding an end to the ‘normalisation’ of the fossil fuel industry on campus.
Roar recently interviewed KCL FFC campaign leads Adithi Sathiyan and Mikael Tariq, alongside People and Planet representative and FFC campaign lead, Martin Frebourg.
They talked about the push towards King’s Careers and Employability in providing social justice by ending careers in the fossil fuel industry. But as they target KCL’s “Vision 2030” sustainability strategy, they face a university system caught between ethical branding and the pragmatism of the corporate job market.
“KCL is a big part of climate and sustainability research… and it is trying to push its role in the research. And, so, maintaining partnerships with fossil fuel companies to promote opportunities is contrary to them.”
Mikael, KCL FFC campaign co-lead
Main Ethical Argument
KCL FFC describes their central aim as preventing the King’s Careers & Employability service from hosting or promoting companies linked to fossil fuel extraction. They stress that the impacts of climate change fall unevenly across communities, making the issue one of both environmental and social responsibility.
They believe that King’s strong presence in climate research makes it especially important that its external partnerships match its academic commitments.
“Our campaign is pushing for an ethically curious careers policy which prohibits partnerships with companies on recognised lists, including the Carbon Underground 200 and transition-mineral mining registers.”
Martin, People & Planet
“Partnering with these companies actively promotes career opportunities that are contrary to King’s climate and social justice values.”
Mikael, KCL FFC campaign co-lead
King’s Sustainability Strategy for 2030
KCL FFC is currently concentrating on ensuring their principles are embedded in King’s Sustainability Strategy 2030. The strategy involves several major stakeholders, including Career’s & Employability, making this a crucial moment for the campaign.
Current Priorities for the Campaign
The campaigners describe their immediate goals simply and as follows:
- Gaining visibility across campus;
- Building momentum among the King’s community (staff and student alike);
- Inclusion of FFC in Vision 2030.
“Ultimately, for all universities in the UK, it would be extremely influential [if King’s agreed to FFC].”
Mikael, KCL FFC campaign co-lead
The campaign co-lead argues that King’s holds a major influence in UK university trends, as being part of the Russell Group and having a prestigious reputation. Thus, agreeing to FFC would perhaps introduce the same trends in other UK universities – which is the end goal of FFC.
How Fossil‑Free Commitments Have Worked Elsewhere
18 universities in the UK have already adopted Fossil Free Careers policies. According to the campaign, careers services at these institutions have not seen major disruptions.
“Careers service has probably not changed much, in a positive way. The advice that students are getting has not changed, it’s just that some companies are just no longer coming and then the others are coming instead.”
Martin, People & Planet
“I think students should be reassured by an ethical curious policy because it means you’re taking out a lot..[of the] jobs that actually might be a dead end.”
Martin, People & Planet
Impact on the King’s Careers Service
“We do not seek to anyway interfere with the ability of the careers service to give students impartial advice on an individual level…. This campaign does not affect that. Not would we want to. But what it does do is it deals with things like career opportunities that are advertised through their portal or which companies are present at careers fair and speaking events.”
Adithi, KCL FFC campaign co-lead
Following King’s 2021 Divestment
King’s previously divested from fossil fuels in 2021. The group sees this as evidence that the university recognises the harm associated with the industry.
“That’s a very clear case of King’s recognising that fossil fuel industries, and all the companies directly involved in it, are harmful. For the same reason, we believe that they need to also recognise that in exactly the same way. They should not partner with them to promote career opportunities.”
Mikael, KCL FFC campaign co-lead
Building Support and Expanding Engagement
The campaign has been meeting with staff across sustainability and climate‑related departments to build alliances. Engagement with Careers & Employability has been less successful so far, but KCL FFC hopes to restart discussions.
Students can support the campaign by signing the open letter circulated via KCLSU or by joining the group’s WhatsApp community.
The team also plans to revitalise its social media activity. Upcoming workshops aim to explore the wider political and social dimensions of fossil fuel extraction, from colonialism to global inequality. The campaign hopes that by providing deeper political education, it can strengthen the case for removing fossil‑fuel‑linked employers from King’s recruitment platforms.
