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Activists in Stirling with anti-coal campaigners from Colombia. Photo: Ric Lander
Divestment News Roundup In the last edition of What on Earth, we reported on how Scotland’s councils still invested over £1.2 billion in fossil fuel companies – despite many of these councils having declared a ‘climate emergency’. The globally influential International Energy Agency’s recent report stated “There is no need for investment in new fossil fuel supply in our net zero pathway.” The excuses for inaction are falling away fast.
Fife Council also backed a first step towards divestment, a change that would see the Council breaking ties with Shell, owner of the area’s biggest polluter at Mossmorran. Renewed campaigning is also getting started in Highland and Lothian areas. Could our councils be in a race to divest ahead of the UN climate talks? Others have crossed the line already: Edinburgh Napier have just announced they’re fully fossil free, making them the 88th UK university to make this commitment.
The good news is that thanks to your activism across the country, Councillors are speaking out against these investments and leading some major changes. For the first time both Falkirk and Stirling Councils have written to their shared pension fund requesting an end to investment in fossil fuels.
The excuses for inaction are falling away fast.
