Saying a firm no to coal and oil is no longer the preserve of environmentalists and political activists. Over recent years, a long list of "unlikely suspects" has abandoned investments in fossil fuels which, as well as harming the environment and the climate, no longer appear to be particularly safe from a purely financial standpoint either. Here is a roundup of illustrious names: among them are the heirs of the magnate Rockefeller, as well as a Hollywood star in the form of Leonardo DiCaprio.

1 The Rockefellers make a clean break with the past

The Rockefeller fortune — the very byword for American wealth — is inextricably linked to Standard Oil, which patriarch John D. Rockefeller founded in 1870. But times change, and on the eve of the 2014 Climate Summit in New York, the philanthropic organisation Rockefeller Brothers Fund made the announcement: the $860 million invested in fossil fuel companies would be gradually shifted towards clean energy. A decision confirmed at the end of March of this year in a statement that makes it unambiguously clear that "there is no logic for companies to continue exploring new sources of hydrocarbons" and singles out ExxonMobil: "we can no longer be associated with a group that shows such evident contempt for the public interest."

2 A global campaign wins over the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

It took the Gates Divest campaign, signed by more than 230,000 people, 68 religious figures, 74 NGOs, around a thousand healthcare professionals and 10 candidates for mayor of Seattle. In the end, however, the goal was achieved: in May, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation sold its stake in BP, worth $178 million. Over the course of roughly two years, the investments withdrawn from fossil fuel sources reached a total of $1.4 billion: $300 million remains before they are eliminated entirely.

3 Allianz says no to coal and shifts to wind

4 billion euros: that is the estimated monetary value of Allianz's decision to divest from all investments in coal and, conversely, to increase those in wind energy. The announcement, made last November, was welcomed with great satisfaction by activists: "Being the world's largest insurance company, Allianz knows a thing or two about risk — said Nicolò Wojewoda, a spokesperson for 350.org —. And there is no greater climate risk than continuing to invest in an industry that is destroying the planet."

4 Leonardo DiCaprio, Hollywood's face in the service of the climate

He used the Oscar stage to speak about climate change; he appealed to world leaders at COP21; he is executive producer of investigative documentaries such as Cowspiracy and Virunga; he has become, in short, one of the most recognisable global faces on climate. Leonardo DiCaprio could hardly fail to back his words with actions, and has accordingly pledged to divest from fossil fuels all capital held personally and through the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.

5 Stockholm, Oslo, Paris and beyond

"Stockholm's decision to divest from companies driving the climate crisis shows that investing in the fossil fuel industry, or legitimising its business as usual, is no longer morally acceptable." These were the words with which activist Andrew Maunder, of the Fossil Free Stockholm movement, welcomed the city's decision in June to withdraw approximately 30 million Swedish kronor from companies linked to fossil fuels. The Swedish capital is not alone in taking this path, but follows in the footsteps of Malmö, Uppsala, Copenhagen, Oslo, Paris and other cities around the world.

Opening photo © Jemal Countess/Getty Images