ACTIVITSTS are staging a protest in Broad Street today as delegates attend a climate event in a Reading bank.
Barclays Bank is holding a “masterclass” event for small to medium enterprise businesses, aimed at introducing net zero initiatives.
Experts will offer advice and explain the importance of net zero targets for businesses, as well as the impact the initiatives could have on companies.
Campaigners say that, while Barclays “has made progress,” its new climate policy was inadequate, allowing the bank to continue funding fossil fuel projects.
Activists from Extinction Rebellion argue that efforts to reduce the bank’s own emissions and restrict lending to new fossil fuel projects is a good step, but is undermined by how little of the bank’s funding initiatives are covered by the policies.
They say that Barlcays’ efforts came as a result of “mounting pressure” from environmental campaigners, and that more needs to be done.
This includes stopping “enabling” companies whose projects are causing further environmental damage.
Tony Burdon, chief executive of Make My Money Matter, said Barclays climate policies: “cover just a fraction of their oil and gas lending and lets them continue funnelling billions to those companies developing catastrophic new fossil fuel projects around the world.”
Activists are set to stage a protest outside the Broad Street branch of Barclays from 5.15pm this evening, Thursday, March 21.
