Divest – Reinvest: a tool for social change

Community Reinvest believes that with divestment and reinvestment, it is possible to create flourishing low-carbon local economies. We exist to assist civic institutions demonstrate civic leadership by divesting from fossil fuels and reinvesting funds in the local economy, in a manner that has clear social, economic and environmental benefits.

Over the last year, we worked with 350.org</a >, Platform</a > and Friends of the Earth</a > to create a map tool and database</a > providing detailed investment information, including amounts invested in the top 200 fossil-fuel companies, for all 80 UK local-authority pension funds.

The data show that UK councils have invested £14 billion of their pension funds into fossil fuels. That’s £281 for every UK resident, enough to build over 200 000 new homes, or power Scotland with 100% renewable energy.

Imagine if £14 billion were instead reinvested into a democratic and just low-carbon transition and good-quality local jobs?

Divestment and reinvestment is possible.

We provide research and support to the divestment movement, community -energy sector, local authorities and other constituents interested in divest and reinvest.