Unions Support Divestment to Protect California State Worker Pensions

Photo of supporters of SB 252 in front of the California Capitol building

Public employees deserve a secure pension, safe working conditions, and a livable place to retire. While fossil fuel investments are extremely volatile and risky, fossil fuel pollution drives climate chaos in California — including extreme heat, flooding, toxic air pollution, water contamination, and wildfires. Our pension funds actively investing in fossil fuels is undermining our…

Read more

Why Divest from Fossil Fuels

Rally. Masked activists hold each side of a super-sized white sign that reads, "Time's Up, CalPERS. 150,000 Say Divest From Fossil Fuels."

“It’s time to take the next step in climate action. Divestment sends a message to companies that have shown little interest in seriously addressing a problem that places human existence in peril for the sake of profits: time’s up.”

Read more

Oakland City Attorney comes out in strong support of SB 252, California’s fossil fuel divestment bill

Collage graphic. Across a photo of an Oakland City building is screenshot of a headline that reads, "Opinion: Divest California public employee pensions from fossil fuels. Ending CalPERS and CalSTRS funding of this industry is critical to meet local, national and international goals." At right is a headshot of Oakland City Attorney Barbara J. Parker.

Oakland City Attorney Barbara J. Parker’s op-ed reads: “Divesting from fossil fuel companies is the right thing to do to protect California’s frontline and fenceline communities. Due to long legacies of systemic racism, these communities are disproportionately impacted by climate change, climate harm, and pollution. The Legislature must pass SB 252 this year. This bill is both financially prudent and essential to meeting our collective climate goals.”

Read more

Oakland City Attorney comes out in strong support of SB 252, California’s fossil fuel divestment bill

Collage graphic. Across a photo of an Oakland City building is screenshot of a headline that reads, "Opinion: Divest California public employee pensions from fossil fuels. Ending CalPERS and CalSTRS funding of this industry is critical to meet local, national and international goals." At right is a headshot of Oakland City Attorney Barbara J. Parker.

Oakland City Attorney Barbara J. Parker’s op-ed reads: “Divesting from fossil fuel companies is the right thing to do to protect California’s frontline and fenceline communities. Due to long legacies of systemic racism, these communities are disproportionately impacted by climate change, climate harm, and pollution. The Legislature must pass SB 252 this year. This bill is both financially prudent and essential to meeting our collective climate goals.”

Read more

California fossil fuel divestment bill – SB 252 – passes Senate with massive momentum

Photo of a large group of people gathered to lobby for the Climate Accountability bill package. They are under large trees on the Sacramento Capitol grounds and hold a sign that reads, "Divest California's Public Pensions." Photo by Brooke Anderson.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 25, 2023Contact: Shana DeClercq | shana@fossilfreeca.org | (415) 376-3746Photos available here Indigenous lands of the Nisenan and Miwok Peoples (colonially called Sacramento, California) –  Today, SB 252 – a widely-supported bill for the two biggest public pensions in the U.S., CalPERS and CalSTRS – to phase out fossil fuel investments – passed…

Read more