Extinction Rebellion protest Barclays Bank fossil fuel funding

On Monday, November 14, branches of Barclays Bank across the UK will be targeted by members of Extinction Rebellion to demand the bank ends what the climate group sees as its funding of fossil fuels.

Local Extinction Rebellion activists will protest outside the Penzance branch from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm on that day.

Janet Pye, speaking for the group, said: “Barclays in the UK is Europe’s biggest investor in tar sands, fracked oil and gas, coal power, and fossil fuels overall.

"The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change.

"Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

"It is now recognized that we are not meeting this agreement.

Protestors from Extinction Rebellion (Image: Extinction Rebellion)

"We cannot afford to continue with fossil fuel extraction if we are to keep our planet habitable for future generations.

"All the science is telling us this.

"In the past, people power has changed Barclays investment strategy, for example, their support for the apartheid regime in South Africa.

"We are giving out that same message today; if you are a customer tell them to stop funding fossil fuels or you will take your business to another bank.”

Julie Jephson, Registered Nurse, explained why she is protesting: "Barclays continued financing of the fossil fuel industry, even with the whole world now acknowledging the urgent need to change and turn away coal and oil, cannot be excused or justified on any level.

"They must be compelled to take action and divest now.

"The fate of our children and the planet cannot be determined by greed and self-interest”.