In the end, they won. The Gates Foundation has decided to sell its entire stake in BP, worth $178 million. This came thanks to the Gates Divest campaign, launched by 68 religious leaders, 74 NGOs, 10 of the 18 candidates for mayor of Seattle (the city where the foundation is based), and more than 235,000 citizens around the world.

A campaign that has led the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to divest from its fossil fuel holdings. Proof that grassroots pressure, combined with the support of an international outlet such as the Guardian — through the Keep it in the ground campaign — can deliver significant results. Today "foundations, universities, cities, associations, companies and citizens have divested nearly $3.4 trillion, choosing to invest it in a sustainable future," the organisation writes in a statement.

Will the Gates Foundation invest in renewables?

"We are excited that the Gates Foundation continues to divest from fossil fuels, but it is time to bring those investments down to zero. Investing money in oil companies goes against the Gates Foundation's mission of ensuring everyone a productive and healthy life," said Alec Connon, one of the movement's organisers.

There have been no statements from the foundation's leadership, but this decision follows the disposal of its Exxon fund holdings ($800 million) last autumn. In roughly two years, the foundation has pulled $1.4 billion from fossil fuels and today — according to Gates Divest — has "only" $300 million still invested.

"By taking a public stance," commented Mike McGinn, who as mayor of Seattle in 2013 was the first mayor to commit a city to divestment, "Bill and Melinda Gates could help shift the debate and accelerate the international response to global warming."