Divest Derbyshire
The Derbyshire Pension Fund, which is managed by the County Council, has millions of pounds invested in oil and gas companies. This is not only funding the climate crisis but represents a massive financial risk to the Pension Fund and its 100,000 members.
What we do
Divest Derbyshire is a broad coalition of groups from across Derbyshire who are urging the Derbyshire Pension Fund to divest from companies that are engaged in fossil fuel extraction. Instead we are asking for investment in a sustainable economy which promotes green jobs and technology. Local councils should take the lead by making sure that the huge funds that they hold in pension funds on behalf of present and past employees are used in an environmentally responsible way. This can also reduce the financial risk to pension-holders from so-called ‘stranded assets’,i.e. fossil fuel resources that cannot be burned and fossil fuel infrastructure (e.g. pipelines, power plants) that are no longer used which may end up as liabilities before the end of their anticipated economic lifetime.
How to get involved
Volunteer with us
Help to lobby the members of the Derbyshire Pensions and Investment Committee to divest from fossil fuels. For more info contact divest@transitionchesterfield.org.uk
Contact your councillor
Please email your local County Councillor to ask them to support the campaign to divest our council funds. Instead let’s invest in green jobs and technologies in Derbyshire.
Consider your own pension
Green your own pension and ensure your bank is not investing in fossil fuels. See Make My Money Matter website for details on how to do this.
What we’ve done so far
A 2025 briefing on Flooding, Climate Risk and Pensions which recommends that the Derbyshire Pension Fund properly assesses climate risk in line with scientific evidence and divests from fossil fuel companies fuelling climate change and increased flood risk, while all councils should be developing natural flood management plans and ensuring new development mitigates flooding.
A 2024 response to a consultation on the Derbyshire Pension Fund draft Climate Strategy and a Briefing on the climate strategy consultation (pdf).
A 2023 Briefing on the unethical investments held by the Derbyshire Pension Fund including millions of pounds in fossil fuels, tobacco, military and nuclear weapons and with companies accused of human rights abuses and corruption.
A 2023 Press release featuring a giant oil monster and oil barons performing an oil-themed Jabberwocky outside County Hall, as part of a National Day of Divestment.
A recording of a 2022 webinar on the Financial Risks of Fossil Fuel Investment. (Passcode: 2YK?9Y$C) with Mark Campanale of Carbon Tracker
Pictures of a 2021 demonstration outside County Hall to encourage staff pension members to write to the Derbyshire Pension Fund to ask them to divest from fossil fuels.
In 2021 we contacted over 200 schools, colleges, councils, the Police and Fire Authorities and other employers across Derbyshire, who are members of the Derbyshire Pension Fund, to ask them to email the Chair of the Pension Committee and the Pension Fund about divestment. Check which schools and colleges are members of Derbyshire Pension Fund here.
Our 2020 Divestment briefing, and our 2016 Divestment Briefing
Results of a Derbyshire Pension Fund members survey in 2020 reveals that two-thirds are concerned about investments in fossil fuel companies.
Copies of council motions supporting divestment including Derby City Council (2018), Chesterfield Borough Council (2020), Amber Valley Borough Council (2020), High Peak Borough Council (2021), Bolsover District Council (2021), Derbyshire Dales District Council (2023)
A Petition signed by over 1,000 people which was handed in to the then Chair of the Pensions and Investment Committee, calling on them to dis-invest from existing investments in fossil fuels within five years. Cover letter for petition (2017).
In addition we have submitted dozens of public questions to the Pensions and Investment Committee and the Full Council about divestment.
Our Supporters
The Divest Derbyshire campaign is supported by the following organisations:
Derbyshire Pensioners Action Group
Eckington Against Fracking,
Glossopdale Transition Initiative,
Medact East Midlands
Melbourne Area Transition,
Sustainable Edale,
Sustainable Hayfield,
Get in touch
Contact Lisa at:
divest@transitionchesterfield.org.uk