Greta Thunberg pulls out of Edinburgh Book Festival over 'greenwashing'
Greta said she doesn't want to be associated with the event
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Greta Thunberg has cancelled her appearance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, accusing the sponsors of the event of “greenwashing”.
The climate activist was due to speak at the event on August 13 but dropped out due to one of the festival’s sponsors, Bailie Gifford.
The investment management firm “invests heavily in the fossil fuel industry”, the 20-year-old has claimed.
In a statement released through the Festival, the activist said: “I am unfortunately unable to attend the Edinburgh Book Festival. As a climate activist I cannot attend an event which receives sponsorship from Baillie Gifford, who invest heavily in the fossil fuel industry.”
Greta was due to speak at the festival on August 13
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“Greenwashing efforts by the fossil fuel industry, including sponsorship of cultural events, allow them to keep the social licence to continue operating.
“I cannot and do not want to be associated with events that accept this kind of sponsorship.”
Baillie Gifford responded and said that it was not a significant fossil fuel investor.
They said that only 2 per cent of their clients’ money is invested in companies with some business relating to fossil fuels, compared to the market average of 11 per cent.
A spokesman for the firm said: "Of those companies, some have already moved most of their business away from fossil fuels, and many are helping to drive the transition to clean energy."
“We are investing on behalf of our clients to grow their savings and retirement funds. When we invest in companies on their behalf, we do so over long time periods – typically 10 years or more – so this has naturally led us away from traditional fossil fuel firms. Currently, 5 per cent of our clients’ money is invested in companies whose sole purpose is to develop clean energy solutions.
“We believe in open debate and discussion which is why we are long-term supporters of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.”
Nick Barley, the director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said that whilst he was “disappointed” with her decision to drop out, he “fully respects” it.
“However, in applauding Greta for standing by her principles, we too must stand by ours.
“As a charitable organisation, we would not be in a position to provide that platform without the long-term support of organisations such as Baillie Gifford. We strongly believe that Baillie Gifford are part of the solution to the climate emergency.
This would have been her first public appearance in Scotland since COP26 two years ago
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“They are early investors in progressive climate positive companies, providing funds to help them grow. While they acknowledge there is still work to do, we have seen them make rapid progress throughout our 19-year relationship.
Thunberg was meant to speak at an event called It’s Not Too Late To Change The World at Edinburgh Playhouse.
She was expected to discuss her book, The Climate Book, with the audience.
This would have been her first public appearance in Scotland since COP26 in Glasgow in 2021.
Barley apologised to those who had bought tickets to see the activist and offered those ticketholders a refund.