Where is your treasure?
Join the growing movement of Catholic institutions living out their values by divesting from fossil fuels.
“The necessary transition towards clean energy sources such as wind and solar energy, and the abandonment of fossil fuels, is not progressing at the necessary speed”
(LD 55)
Divest your money from fossil fuels
“We know that things can change!” (Laudato Si’ 13)
Why should we divest from fossil fuels?
A world powered by clean, healthy, sustainable energy that is accessible to all is possible. It is being built every day by the increasing investments in renewable energy. This is an exciting transformation that is accelerating across the world!
If we remain invested in polluting, climate-destroying fossil fuels, this necessary change cannot take place. And the poor suffer first and worst from climate impacts, while we are all seeing the changes in our common home, from flooding in Pakistan to a typhoon in Alaska to an unprecedented hurricane hitting Puerto Rico and Florida to heat waves, forest fires, and more.
This is why Catholics and people of goodwill across the world are re-investing away from fossil fuels, and leading this transformation.
Will my institution lose money by divesting?
Catholic institutions that have the privilege of managing financial assets often rely on steady returns from them. The good news is that divesting from fossil fuels is a sound and prudent financial decision. Investment managers recognize the increasing risks of fossil fuel investment. The growing rejection of fossil fuels by world governments means that fossil fuel assets will be stranded, and these investments are losing value. On the other hand, renewable energy projects are profitable and much needed.
Are there already Catholic institutions that have divested?
Check in the list here the institutions that have already divested : please contact us, and we can help you by putting you in contact with one of these institutions.
Country | Name of institution |
---|---|
Angola | Comissão Arquidiocesana de Justiça e Paz de Luanda |
Angola | Comissão de Justiça e Paz e Migrações da CEAST |
Argentina | Capítulo Argentina - Movimiento Católico Mundial por el Clima |
Argentina | Colegio de Graduados en Cooperativismo y Mutualismo |
Argentina | Fundación DeCyR |
Argentina | Ong Ambiental Cima |
Argentina | Potencialidades y Centro de Paz Jardín del Corazón |
Argentina | RAAD Red Argentina de Ambiente y Desarrollo |
Argentina | RELAI |
Australia | Australian Jesuits |
Australia | Caritas Australia |
Australia | Christian Life Community Australia |
Australia | CLC Australia |
Australia | Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea |
Australia | Justice and Peace Office, Archdiocese of Sydney |
Australia | Marist Sisters |
Australia | Missionary Society of St Columban |
Australia | Presentation Congregation Queensland |
Australia | Presentation Sisters Wagga Wagga |
Australia | Presentation Society of Australia and Papua New Guinea |
Australia | Rebuilding, Mind, Body and Spirit |
Australia | Sisters of Charity of Australia |
Australia | The Passionists–Holy Spirit Province |
Austria | Archdiocese of Salzburg |
Austria | Archdiocese of Vienna |
Austria | Austrian Bishops Conference |
Austria | Bankhaus Schelhammer & Schattera |
Austria | Coordination Office of the Austrian Episcopal Conference for International Development and Mission |
Austria | Diocese of Eisenstadt |
Austria | Diocese of Feldkirch |
Austria | Diocese of Graz-Seckau |
Austria | Diocese of Gurk-Klagenfurt |
Austria | Diocese of Innsbruck |
Austria | Diocese of Linz |
Austria | Diocese of St. Pölten |
Austria | Military diocese of Austria |
Bangladesh | Episcopal Commision for Justice and Peace |
Bangladesh | Franciscan Friars TOR Society |
Belgium | Abdij OLV van Nazareth |
Belgium | Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network |
Belgium | Broederlijk Delen |
Belgium | COMECE – Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union |
Belgium | Dochters der Liefde Filles de la Charité |
Belgium | Episcopal Conference of Belgium |
Belgium | Gasthuiszusters Augustinessen van Leuven |
Belgium | Jesuit European Social Centre |
Belgium | Justice et paix Belgique |
Belgium | Missionarissen van Scheut |
Belgium | Netwerk Rechtvaardigheid en Vrede |
Belgium | Oikocredit Belgium |
Belgium | Pax Christi Vlaanderen |
Belgium | Salvatorianen |
Belgium | Sisters Clarissen of Ostend |
Belgium | Sisters of Charity of Jesus & Mary |
Belgium | Vicariaat Vlaams-Brabant – Mechelen |
Belgium | Welzijnszorg |
Belgium | Zusters van de Bermhertigheid |
Belgium | Zusters van Maria |
Brazil | Diocese de São José dos Campos |
Brazil | Diocese of the Holy Spirit of Umuarama in Paraná |
Brazil | Escola de Fé e Política Waldemar Rossi |
Brazil | Espiritanos |
Brazil | Instituto Amsur |
Brazil | Instituto das Religiosas do Sagrado Coração de Maria (Religious Institute of the Sacred Heart of Mary) |
Cameroon | Centre Baba Simon/Movimento dei Focolari |
Cameroon | Tertiary Sisters of Saint Francis |
Canada | Artist caring environmentally/Artist Against Fracking |
Canada | Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada |
Canada | Institut Notre-Dame du Bon Conseil de Montréal |
Canada | Jesuit Province in Upper Canada |
Canada | Our Lady's Missionaries |
Canada | Pax Christi Toronto |
Canada | Scarboro Missions |
Canada | St. Joseph’s Parish |
Canada | The Catherine Donnelly Foundation |
Canada | Ursulines of Chatham |
Chile | Parroquia Sto. Tomás Apóstol de Choapa, El Tambo |
Colombia | Confederación Interamericana de Educación Católica - CIEC |
Colombia | SICSAL – Servicio Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con los pueblos de América Latina «Óscar Romero» |
Colombia | Sicsal Colombia - COVIDA20 |
Czech Republic | Žít Laudato si' Česká republika |
Ecuador | PASTORAL CUMBE |
Ecuador | Secretariado Latinoamericano MIEC-JEC |
Fiji | Archdiocese of Suva |
France | CCFD - Terre Solidaire |
France | Chrétiens unis pour la Terre |
France | Communauté Mission de France |
France | Oekologia |
France | Province de France-Belgique de la congrégation des soeurs auxiliatrices |
France | Secours Catholique |
Germany | Bank für Kirche und Caritas eG |
Germany | Bank im Bistum Essen eG |
Germany | DKM Darlehnskasse Münster eG |
Germany | Pax Christi Düren |
Germany | PaxBank eG |
Germany | Steyler Ethik Bank |
Greece | Catholic Church in Greece |
Holy See (Vatican City State) | Caring for Earth |
India | Caritas India |
India | Indian Catholic Matters |
India | Society of Jesus Mary Joseph - Raipur Province |
India | ST. JOSEPH CHURCH MIRA ROAD |
India | Tamil Nadu Catholic Youth Movement |
Indonesia | Archdiocese of Semarang |
International | Mercedarias Misioneras de Berriz |
International | Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus |
International | School Sisters of Notre Dame |
International | The Mission Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Spirit |
International | Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
Ireland | Archdiocese of Armagh / St Patrck's Archdiocean Trust Limited |
Ireland | Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly |
Ireland | Balally parish |
Ireland | Carmelite Monastery of Immaculate Heart of Mary - Delgany |
Ireland | Christian Brother Edmund Rice Trust Fund |
Ireland | Christian Brothers European Province |
Ireland | Cloyne Diocese |
Ireland | Congregation of Sisters of Mercy Western Province |
Ireland | Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy, Southern Province |
Ireland | Congregational Leadership of the Sisters of Mercy |
Ireland | Creedon Educational Trust |
Ireland | Diocese of Clogher |
Ireland | Diocese of Elphin |
Ireland | Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin |
Ireland | Diocese of Killala |
Ireland | Diocese of Kilmore |
Ireland | Diocese of Meath |
Ireland | Diocese of Ossory |
Ireland | English Province of the Congregation of Christian Brothers |
Ireland | Hierarchy General Purposes Trust |
Ireland | Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference |
Ireland | Little Company of Mary, Irish Province |
Ireland | Marino Institute of Education Trust Fund |
Ireland | Mercy International Association |
Ireland | Missionary Sisters of St Columban |
Ireland | Monastery of St Alphonsus |
Ireland | Presentation Sisters, English Province |
Ireland | Presentation Sisters, North East Province |
Ireland | Presentation Sisters, South West Unit |
Ireland | Rosminians Institute of Charity CLG |
Ireland | Sisters of Mercy, Northern Province |
Ireland | Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles |
Ireland | Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery |
Ireland | Social Justice Ireland |
Ireland | St.Patrick Missionary Society |
Ireland | The Congregation of Christian Brothers in Northern Ireland |
Ireland | The Order of St Augustine - Irish Province |
Ireland | Trocaire |
Italy | Adorers of the Blood of Christ |
Italy | AGESCI |
Italy | Aggiornamenti Sociali |
Italy | ALTIS Graduate School Business & Society of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore |
Italy | Archdiocese of Naples |
Italy | Archdiocese of Palermo |
Italy | Archdiocese of Panamá |
Italy | Archdiocese of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno |
Italy | Archdiocese of Siracusa |
Italy | Archdiocese of Vercelli |
Italy | Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII |
Italy | Azione Cattolica Italiana (Italian Catholic Action) |
Italy | Caritas Italy |
Italy | Diocese of Ancona |
Italy | Diocese of Assisi |
Italy | Diocese of Caserta |
Italy | Diocese of Catania |
Italy | Diocese of Civitavecchia and Tarquinia |
Italy | Diocese of Gubbio |
Italy | Diocese of Padua |
Italy | Diocese of Pescara |
Italy | Diocese of Savona – Noli |
Italy | Federation of Christian Organisations for the International Voluntary Service FOCSIV |
Italy | Focolare Movement |
Italy | Fondazione MAGIS |
Italy | Gi.O.C. - Gioventù Operaia Cristiana odv |
Italy | Greenaccord onlus |
Italy | Gruppo Missionario Arsego |
Italy | International Forum of Catholic Action |
Italy | Italian Jesuits |
Italy | JPIC Commission USG-UISG |
Italy | Lega consumatori |
Italy | MASCI |
Italy | Mission Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) |
Italy | Movimento Cristiano Lavoratori |
Italy | Nomadelfia |
Italy | Operai della Grazia |
Italy | Pax Christi Italia |
Italy | Pro Civitate Christiana |
Italy | Rete Interdiocesana Nuovi Stili di Vita |
Italy | Sacro Convento |
Italy | Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco - Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Milan and Naples |
Italy | Sardegna Film Commission |
Italy | Serafico Institute |
Italy | Siloe Monastic Community |
Italy | Tavolo Laudato Si' Bari |
Italy | World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations |
Jersey | Laudato Si Group - Caritas Jersey |
Kenya | AMECEA – Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa |
Kenya | Capuchin Charities, Kenya |
Kenya | Catholic University of Eastern Africa |
Kenya | Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa |
Kenya | Charles Mukururo/Joint Learning Initiative on Faith & Local Communities |
Kenya | Franciscan Servants of Mary Queen of love |
Kenya | Human Life International |
Kenya | Jesuit Conference of Africa - Justice and Ecology Office |
Kenya | Little Sisters of St. Joseph |
Kenya | Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus |
Kenya | Sisters of Mercy Learning and Spiritual Centre |
Lesotho | Technologies for the Economical Development |
Luxembourg | Archdiocese of Luxembourg |
Malawi | Go Green Save Environments |
Malaysia | Creation Justice Commission |
Malta | Archdiocese of Malta |
Mexico | CEDEHU – Centro de Desarrollo Humano |
Mexico | Vasco de Quiroga: Presencia en el Siglo XXI |
Myanmar | Karuna Mission Social Solidarity (KMSS) - Caritas Myanmar |
Nepal | Caritas Nepal |
Netherlands | Passionists of Holy Hope Province Netherlands |
Nigeria | Archdiocese of Jos |
Nigeria | Catholic Laity Council of the Archdiocese of Jos |
Nigeria | GLOBAL GREEN ENERGY INSTITUTE |
Nigeria | International Association of World Peace Advocates |
Nigeria | Laity Council of Nigeria |
Nigeria | Smiling Simon Greenbuild Foundation |
Norway | Caritas Norway |
Pakistan | World Apostolate of Fatima |
Peru | Instituto de Desarrollo, Educación de Proyectos Andinos Sostenible Perú - IDEPAS PERÚ |
Peru | Parroquia Cristo Misionero del Padre |
Peru | Proclade Perú-Bolivia |
Philippines | Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines |
Philippines | Conrado Tejada |
Philippines | Diocese of San Carlos |
Philippines | Environmental Science For Social Change |
Philippines | Manila Archdiocese |
Portugal | Justice and Peace National Commission |
República Dominicana | Grupo ecológico Salesiano ECOMA |
Rwanda | Lay Dominicans |
Scotland | Diocese of Aberdeen |
Scotland | Diocese of Argyll and the Isles |
Scotland | Diocese of Galloway |
Scotland | Scottish Catholic Bishops' Conference |
Scotland | Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund |
Sierra Leone | Sierra Leone Young Christian Student movement |
Singapore | Caritas Singapore |
South Africa | Archdiocese of Cape Town |
South Africa | Catholic Welfare and Development |
Spain | Asociación de Permacultura ATTA Alimenta También Tu Alma |
Spain | Asociación Molocan, Cooperatismo Integral |
Spain | Diocese of Vitoria |
Spain | Hermanitas de la Asunción |
Spain | Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro |
Spain | Sitges Solidari |
Sri Lanka | Claretian Missionaries |
Switzerland | Jesuit Refugee Service Switzerland |
Thailand | Caritas Asia |
Uganda | Dominican Sisters of mary |
Uganda | Kikandwa Environmental Association |
Uganda | Trees for Uganda |
Uganda | YouFra Uganda |
Ukraine | Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin |
Ukraine | Church of Saints Joachim and Anna of the Ukrainian |
Ukraine | Church of St. Dmitry |
Ukraine | Church of St. Michael the Archangel |
Ukraine | Church of St. Nicholas |
Ukraine | Church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin |
Ukraine | Church of the Epiphany |
Ukraine | Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin |
Ukraine | Church of the Transfer of the Relics of St. Nicholas |
Ukraine | Dormition of the Blessed Virgin |
Ukraine | Parish of St. John the Theologian |
Ukraine | Parish of St. Michael the Archangel |
Ukraine | Parish of the Epiphany of the Lord |
Ukraine | Parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin of the UGCC |
Ukraine | St. Michael the Archangel Parish |
Ukraine | The Church of Joseph the Blind |
Ukraine | The Church of the Holy Spirit |
Ukraine | The Parish of the UGCC of the Holy Spirit |
Ukraine | The Religious Order of St. Andrew of UGCC |
Ukraine | UGCC Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin |
United Kingdom | Archdiocese of Birmingham |
United Kingdom | Archdiocese of Glasgow |
United Kingdom | Archdiocese of Southwark |
United Kingdom | Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh |
United Kingdom | CAFOD |
United Kingdom | Catholic Action for Animals |
United Kingdom | Columban Missionaries Britain |
United Kingdom | Congregation of Jesus, English Province |
United Kingdom | Congregation of Our Lady, Canonesses of St Augustine |
United Kingdom | Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth Generalate |
United Kingdom | Daughters of the Holy Spirit (England and Ireland Province) |
United Kingdom | Diocese of Arundel & Brighton |
United Kingdom | Diocese of Brentwood |
United Kingdom | Diocese of Dunkeld |
United Kingdom | Diocese of Hallam |
United Kingdom | Diocese of Lancaster |
United Kingdom | Diocese of Leeds |
United Kingdom | Diocese of Middlesbrough |
United Kingdom | Diocese of Motherwell |
United Kingdom | Diocese of Northampton |
United Kingdom | Diocese of Paisley |
United Kingdom | Diocese of Portsmouth |
United Kingdom | Franciscan Sisters Minoress |
United Kingdom | Friars Minor in Great Britain |
United Kingdom | Institute of Our Lady of Mercy |
United Kingdom | Jesuits in Britain |
United Kingdom | Mill Hill Missionaries (British Region) |
United Kingdom | Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception |
United Kingdom | Newman University |
United Kingdom | Religious of the Assumption - England |
United Kingdom | Religious Sisters of Charity, English/Scottish Province |
United Kingdom | Sisters of St Josephs of Peace (UK Province) |
United Kingdom | Sisters of the Cross and Passion |
United Kingdom | Sisters of the Holy Cross (English Province) |
United Kingdom | Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux |
United Kingdom | Society of the Sacred Heart (England and Wales Province) |
United Kingdom | St Joseph’s Province of the Congregation of the Passion–English Province of the Passionists |
United Kingdom | St Mary of the Angels J&P Group |
United Kingdom | St Mary's University, Twickenham |
United Kingdom | The Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, Province of Rosalie Rendu (Britain and Australia) |
United Kingdom | The Sisters of St Andrew in England |
United States | Association of U.S. Catholic Priests |
United States | Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Inc. |
United States | Catholic Charities Diocese of Stockton |
United States | Catholic Parish cluster St Pius, St. Mary, St. Anthony |
United States | Catholic Theological Society of America |
United States | CatholicNetwork.us |
United States | Center for Action and Contemplation |
United States | Church Women United in New York State |
United States | Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace |
United States | Creighton University |
United States | Emmaus Ministries |
United States | FADICA – Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities |
United States | Franciscan Action Network |
United States | Franciscan Friars-Holy Name Province |
United States | Franciscan Sisters of Mary |
United States | Georgetown University |
United States | Loyola Marymount University |
United States | Loyola University |
United States | Marquette University |
United States | MGR Foundation |
United States | Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) |
United States | Seattle university |
United States | Sisters of Charity of Nazareth |
United States | Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
United States | Sisters of Loretto |
United States | Sisters of Saint Francis |
United States | Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, Indiana |
United States | Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt |
United States | Society of Jesus |
United States | SSM Health |
United States | Trillium Asset Management, LLC |
United States | UNANIMA International |
United States | University of Dayton |
United States | University of St. Thomas |
United States | Water Tech Alliance |
United States | Wheaton Franciscan Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary |
Vatican City | Brethren of Blessed Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel |
Vatican City | Caritas Internationalis |
Zambia | Chileshe Kandeta |
Zambia | FMSA |
Zambia | Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa |
Concretely, what does divestment imply?
Once an institution knows what industry it does not want to support anymore, divestment can be as simple as writing down a list of “negative screening”, which means a list of companies or types of companies it does not want to be tied to, and make their external asset managers follow these guidelines.
It can be a bit broader and exclude companies that are exposed to the fossil fuel industry, like financial institutions, insurance companies or industries working closely with companies developing new fossil fuel projects.
Use the examples below to start thinking what makes sense for your institution:
Congregation X has a contract with the asset management firm GFT. They rely on returns to finance their older sisters’ retirement. Their current deal implies that their portfolio cannot include any form of asset related to industries related to war and other social issues.
They negotiate a new deal with a new exclusion : fossil fuels. Within 2 years, their portfolio will be cleared from fossil fuel related financial products.
Lay organization Y does not work with an asset manager : they only own a building, and simple financial products managed by their bank, aside from a current account. Their bank is known for financing new coal plants.
They switch banks for an ethical bank, and commit not to own any asset related to the fossil fuel industry in the future.
Diocese of Z has a wealth of assets, managed by different contractors and in-house. Wanting to be aligned with Catholic Social Teaching, they pledge to divest from the most polluting industry, and start the work for their in-house financial assets.
They negotiate with their asset managers, set a clear timeline. After 3 years, they eventually leave one of their asset managers reluctant to implement the new policy.
INVEST IN OUR PLANET RESOURCES
Catholic Resources
Read the Catholic case for fossil fuel divestment
This comprehensive overview, created by Trócaire, will guide you through climate science, the Catholic teaching behind divestment, and the concrete steps communities have taken to put teaching into practice.
The Franciscan Sisters of Mary divested in 2014;
Our Chapter in Canada made a comprehensive guide (En – Fr), to see, judge and act about climate change regarding your investment policies
Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea, a deeply helpful look at the concrete steps this institution took before, during, and after divestment;
Jesuits in English Canada
Powerpoint slides