A global climate crisis is underway, with extreme weather and rising sea levels threatening the lives of millions of people. Action is urgently needed, but our councils are still banking on the culprits.
That’s why on November 9th – during the COP23 international climate talks – we’re launching our new ‘Fuelling the Fire’ report and interactive map, revealing exactly how much the UK’s local councils are investing in oil, coal and gas companies.
With this report, we’re raising the heat on councils who are still propping up the industry responsible for climate change. But we need you to spread the word in your community.
Sign up for more information and to get involved in #fuellingthefire.
The climate crisis is underway and UK council investments are #fuellingthefire. On Nov 9th, find out how: https://t.co/RDY2OCe0FX #divest pic.twitter.com/tlZLm3MfwN
— Fossil Free UK (@FossilFree_UK) October 9, 2017
With hurricanes devastating the Caribbean, and Pacific islanders fighting to stop their homes from sinking into the sea, the impacts of climate change are already hitting hard.
In 2015 governments agreed the Paris Treaty to limit climate change to 1.5 degrees, but the actions of fossil fuel companies like Exxon, BP and Shell are driving us far beyond this vital threshold. Halting the expansion of fossil fuels is a matter of survival for many communities around the world – we need to stand in solidarity with them, and fight for climate justice.
Our councils need to divest their pension funds from companies who are driving the climate crisis, and instead work for a just transition towards a fair, renewable future.
Divestment campaigners outside their Town Hall
We last investigated councils’ investments in the fossil fuel industry back in 2015, just before the COP21 climate talks in Paris. We revealed that more than £14 billion of council-run pension funds was flowing to oil, coal and gas companies.
Since then, the movement for #fossilfree local government has exploded, with new campaigns spanning the country and two funds committing to fully divest. Two years on from the Paris Agreement, have our councils taken the urgent action needed to dump fossil fuels?