Who we are

DIvestUSS is a group of members of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) committed to ensuring it follows an investment strategy that protects the planet, respects human rights, invests responsibly and ensures good pensions. Given the growing and imminent threat of the climate emergency, DivestUSS has a particular focus on pressing USS to rapidly reduce the carbon emissions of its investment portfolio. About us.

Report on USS climate policies

USS’s response to the climate emergency was given in a detailed document in late 2022. This showed that they were still investing huge amounts in fossil fuel companies and those financing them, and that their own net zero plans have had a minimal effect so far on emissions – see here for a Summary and the detailed Report. We updated this in September 2023 as a briefing to universities prior to their annual meeting with USS. Our response to USS’s 2024 report can be found here.

We also have a number of Factsheets on particular USS investments of concern.

Petition USS

As the climate crisis worsens, the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) is still investing our pension money in the fossil fuel companies and banks that cause the crisis. We want USS to commit urgently to divest from fossil fuels and use our money to transition companies to clean energy. We sent the following petition with over 1000 signatories to the Chair and Board of Directors of USS calling on them to clean up our pension scheme.

Go Ethical

If you are a currently paying into USS did you know that you may be able to choose where some of your contributions are invested? There is an Ethical option amongst others for example. This is relevant to the Investment Builder component of your pension. Find out how to make this choice here.