Climate change activists acted out their deaths at Glasgow City Council after it was revealed it had links worth £709 million invested in BP and Shell.
An investigation led by Divest Strathclyde, Fossil Free Glasgow and Friends of the Earth Scotland revealed that the council-managed Strathclyde Pension Fund (SPF) has an estimated £709 million invested in fuel companies.
Extinction Rebellion Glasgow led the protest at the City Chambers in a bid to encourage the council to divest in fossil fuels.
Margaux Marshall Extinction Rebellion Glasgow said: "The Strathclyde Pension Fund consistently charts in the two top largest investors in fossil fuels amongst the UK’s public pension funds.
"With the UN Climate talks coming to Glasgow in November, all eyes will be on the city to show climate leadership.
"We hope this major civic institution will act in the interests of current and future pensioners, as well as for the wellbeing of all, in committing to divest from fossil fuel companies."
One stake of £8 million was made just months after the council declared a climate emergency in May last year.
READ MORE: Glasgow City Council pension fund invested over £700m in fossil fuels
Campaigners reflect that the investments are in contrary with the council's plans to be a "global leader" in combating the climate emergency.
Geraldine Clayton, Strathclyde Pension Fund member and campaigner with Divest Strathclyde said: "Our pension funds are meant to be all about planning for the future.
"Every pound currently being invested in fossil fuel companies is funding activity that is endangering our future. How can Glasgow claim to be addressing the climate emergency when the council pension fund is invested in climate polluters?"
"We need to take our money out of fossil fuel and invest it instead in renewable energy and other sustainable industries."
A spokesman for Strathclyde Pension Fund said: “SPF has consistently led among investors in supporting a just transition to a low carbon economy.
“However, divestment does nothing to address the climate emergency and is neither far-reaching nor radical enough to mitigate the immediate and long-term risks that climate change poses for investors.
“Instead, the fund has chosen to be an activist investor; challenging companies to improve their performance, backing renewable energy and empowering managers to make decisions that reflect its belief that climate change is a major and structural risk for the global economy.
“The fund is continuing to develop how it measures and analyses its carbon exposure and will fully integrate this with its financial modelling.
“This will allow it to set a clear objectives on climate change and steer future investment.”
The Strathclyde Pension Fund provides pensions to 11 local authorities in the West of Scotland.
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