CAMPAIGNERS from Emmanuel Church Redditch visited the local HSBC bank branch to urge them to stop using the public’s hard-earned savings to support polluting fossil fuel companies.
Christian Aid has revealed the high street banks are still using savers’ money to support fossil fuel companies, even though governments, scientists and even the banks themselves are in agreement of the need to move away from coal, oil and gas to protect planet Earth.
The Redditch-based group presented messages from the community explaining why the bank needs to move from fossil fuels to renewable energy as part of the organisation’s Big Shift Campaign.
Campaigner Jackie Marsh said: “I have made changes in my own life to try to tackle climate change, so it’s nonsensical to me that the bank is still supporting companies who continue to destroy the planet.
“The bank claims it supports action to prevent further climate change, but uses customers’ money to support fossil fuel companies. That must change.”
The group presented a letter to the bank to be passed to the chief executive and showed off their piggy bank poster filled with messages of support for the bank to act.
Another campaigner, Tony Pitt added: “Climate change is the biggest issue humanity faces. We need everyone, including the people managing our money to make the right decisions to put us on a safer path towards a better future.”
Fossil fuels are increasingly seen as a financial risk as well as fueling climate change. As governments and markets around the world act to reduce carbon emissions, the value of fossil fuel companies could decrease rapidly.
Christian Aid believes with a shift in policies and investment decisions, the biggest high street banks could be providing the capital needed to invest in the energy systems we need for the future instead of damaging the planet.
