Equinor 'withdraws' from Oxford University careers fair

Extinction Rebellion gathered outside and inside the university's exam schools on Saturday, October 14 to protest against the invitation of multinational energy company Equinor.

The Norway-based firm was asked to take part in a science, engineering and technology fair.

During the demonstration, there was a die-in, a form of protest in which participants acted being dead, at noon outside the exam schools.

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But despite the efforts of the activists, an Oxford University spokesperson has said that Equinor has not been banned from future events.

Protesters asked people passing by to sign a letter to the university's careers service and the vice chancellor asking them to promote only fossil-free careers in future.

People were also encouraged to sign up to the Stop Rosebank campaign.

The Rosebank oil and gas field lies west of Shetland and is operated by Equinor, Suncor and Siccar Point Energy.

In September, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the field would be granted a licence, along with more than 100 other oil and gas developments.

Ruby Finn, an activist from Extinction Rebellion Oxford, said:  “Since the announcement approving the Rosebank oil field, there have been many protest actions.

"Rosebank is the largest undeveloped oil field in the North Sea.  It would emit more carbon dioxide equivalent in its lifetime than 700 million people in the world’s poorest countries do annually.

"The International Energy Agency has said that there can be no new investment in oil, gas and coal.  

"Oxford University researchers have published extensively on climate change, as well as renewable energy’s potential.

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"Oxford University should not endorse fossil fuels careers which are keeping this industry going despite objections.

"We have acted today as all universities should resist supporting fossil fuel corporations which amount to letting them get away with wrecking the students’ futures.”

A spokesman from Equinor said the company has no comment on the protest.

A statement on Equinor's website reads: “We acknowledge there is public debate about our Rosebank oil and gas field in the UK, and we respect the differing views.

“Nevertheless, we believe there are sound and rational reasons for developing Rosebank.”

It adds: “This project is part of our contribution to energy security, creating jobs for Britain, and reducing CO2 emissions overall. It’s all part of the broader energy picture.”

An Oxford University spokesman said: "The careers service offers an impartial service which allows students to make informed choices about their futures through access to employers and professional networks. 

“The service is very concerned about the climate crisis and any employer wishing to advertise roles and opportunities on our systems is encouraged to answer a set of questions to allow students to find out more about their sustainability credentials.

“Students can easily access an organization’s stance on the climate crisis, its plan on how it will achieve Net-Zero by 2050 and remain profitable, and other relevant credentials in sustainability.”