Students staged a protest against their university's investments in fossil fuels despite its declaration of a climate emergency.

16 of Extinction Rebellion dressed in black to symbolise the University of Exeter's investment in fossil fuels, estimated to be around £2m according data obtained by activism website People and Planet.

But in response, the university has said that it has recently started a new ethical investment policy which will be monitored by the student union.

One of the protesters, named Alex, said: "It is one thing for the University of Exeter to declare a climate emergency, but they need to act like it is an emergency. The university executive needs to get on and stop investing in all fossil fuels now. Until the university makes a full and unconditional commitment to divest from fossil fuels, we will keep taking action.”

Gus, another member of Extinction Rebellion, said: "Considering how hard it tries hard to broadcast its green image, whilst continuing to invest in fossil fuels, the question is: Does the University of Exeter really care about the climate, or is it just greenwashing to entice students to join?”

A university spokesperson said: "We recently appointed Rathbone to manage our investment portfolio and a major factor in our decision was to improve our ethical investments. We worked closely with our students to appoint Rathbone and want to ensure that our investments have a positive impact on our community and society as well as provide good returns to invest in education.

“The Presidents of the Students’ Guild in Exeter and Union in Cornwall will be involved in monitoring the new ethical investment policy, and students will also be on a new management group so they can have their say on the policy as it evolves over time.

"Earlier this year we declared an Environment and Climate Emergency, and our working group which includes our outstanding environment and climate experts, are looking at the issue of investments and will make their recommendations shortly.”