American Geophysical Union Update on financial links with fossil fuels corporations

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) has committed to fully divesting its investment portfolio from fossil fuels starting in October 2021, following an internal audit that revealed approximately 5% of its holdings were in fossil fuels via mutual funds. While the AGU has ceased accepting fossil fuel sponsorship for events—ending a long history that included over $620,000 from ExxonMobil between 2001 and 2015—Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) argues that the AGU lacks transparency, as it does not disclose the specific companies within its $120.6m investment portfolio. The AGU also aims to chart a path toward net carbon neutrality for all investments and is transitioning its buildings to net zero energy, though no target dates for the latter have been provided.

• The American Geophysical Union (AGU) began a process to entirely divest its investment portfolio of fossil fuels in October 2021. This decision followed an internal audit which found that while the AGU had no direct investments in fossil fuels, approximately 5% of its holdings were invested in the sector through mutual fund accounts.
• The AGU has a history of accepting significant funding from fossil fuel companies for events, including receiving more than $620,000 from ExxonMobil between 2001 and 2015. Despite public and scientific scrutiny in 2016, the AGU board voted twice to maintain ExxonMobil as a sponsor; however, the relationship eventually ended by ExxonMobil's own choice.
• Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) claims the AGU has 'zero transparency' regarding its investments. SGR notes that the AGU does not disclose the specific companies held within its $120.6m investment portfolio, making it impossible to verify the progress of the divestment process.
• The AGU's current event sponsorship has shifted away from fossil fuels, though it continues to accept funding from the arms industry. For example, the 2021 Fall Meeting was sponsored by Lockheed Martin and Ball Technologies, but no fossil fuel companies.
• The AGU is pursuing net zero energy for its physical infrastructure through a project called 'Building AGU', and the Board of Directors has tasked the Finance and Investment Committee to move toward net carbon neutrality for all investments. However, SGR notes that no target dates for the building renovations have been published.

APA

Scientists for Global Responsibility (2021). American Geophysical Union Update on financial links with fossil fuels corporations. https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-01/American_Geophysical_Union_Report.pdf

Chicago

Scientists for Global Responsibility. American Geophysical Union Update on financial links with fossil fuels corporations. 2021. https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-01/American_Geophysical_Union_Report.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Scientists for Global Responsibility |title=American Geophysical Union Update on financial links with fossil fuels corporations |date=May 2021 |url=https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-01/American_Geophysical_Union_Report.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{scientistsforglobalresponsibility2021american, author = {{Scientists for Global Responsibility}}, title = {{American Geophysical Union Update on financial links with fossil fuels corporations}}, institution = {Scientists for Global Responsibility}, year = {2021}, month = may, url = {https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-01/American_Geophysical_Union_Report.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }