Financial 101 – What Divesting California’s Public Pensions from Fossil Fuels Means 

What’s a public pension? What does public pension divestment mean? Why is this good for workers? Has divestment worked before? Get your questions answered with our Financial 101. Read below, or download the PDF. What is a public pension? What are CalPERS and CalSTRS? A public pension is a pension system for public employees –…

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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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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…

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MAY 25: California fossil fuel divestment bill heads to full Senate floor vote

MEDIA ADVISORYFOR PLANNING PURPOSESMay 24, 2023 Contact: Shana DeClercq | shana@fossilfreeca.org | (415) 376-3746 After passing Senate Appropriations, SB252 is the “climate bill that could.” Tremendous momentum for California, the world’s sixth largest economy, to lead on climate, economic, and fiduciary responsibility. WHAT: SB 252 (CalPERS & CalSTRS fossil fuel divestment bill) full Senate floor vote WHEN…

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California’s Public Pension Divestment Bill – SB 252 – Confirmed through Senate Appropriations, Now Heads to Senate Floor

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.

It’s the “climate bill that could:” SB 252’s tremendous momentum demonstrates that California, the world’s sixth largest economy, is prepared to lead on climate and fiduciary responsibility, taking the helm of the financial industry’s shift toward fiscally responsible investing. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 18, 2023Contact: Shana DeClercq | shana@fossilfreeca.org | (415) 376-3746Photos available here | Banner…

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