CAMPAIGNERS have pleaded with Glasgow councillors to fully divest hundreds of millions of pounds of public money from fossil fuel companies as climate activists revealed the shocking stakes Scotland’s largest city has in polluting industries. 

Friends of the Earth (FoE) Scotland estimates that the Strathclyde Pension Fund, run by Glasgow City Council, invests £836 million in fossil fuel companies responsible for driving the climate emergency.

The research showed that companies involved include BP, Chevron and Shell and claimed the fund’s fossil fuel stake had grown by £218 million since 2020. 

Protesters gathered today to project the key findings onto the SEC Armadillo building next to the River Clyde – where world leaders will gather in November as part of UN climate crisis talks. 

The stunt sought to encourage city councillors to agree to a transparent plan to divest from fossil fuels at a meeting on September 8. 

The calls follow a council motion in April that requested a “formal commitment to fossil fuel divestment prior to COP26” from the £25 billion Strathclyde Pension Fund, and a June decision that divestment could now be considered for companies who were damaging the climate.

Ric Lander of FoE Scotland said: “Through its pensions, Glasgow City Council invests far more public money in fossil fuels than any other Scottish organisation.

“A clean-up has been floated and the rhetoric is encouraging, but the toxic puddle of money keeps growing. 

“This is the last moment for Glasgow City Council to be bold and do the right thing. In 2021 Scotland can leave fossil polluters behind on our way to a just transition to a sustainable future.”

Glasgow City Council was approached for comment.