Activists are urging local MPs to show they care about climate change by calling on their pension fund to align its investments with the UK’s commitments to reduce global emissions

All six Edinburgh and Midlothian MPs have spoken out about the urgent need for fossil fuel divestment, citing growing concerns about climate change.

In the last week, Edinburgh MPs Ian Murray (Edinburgh South, Labour), Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North & Leith, SNP), Joanna Cherry (Edinburgh South West, SNP), Tommy Sheppard (Edinburgh East, SNP), Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West, Liberal Democrats) and Danielle Rowley (Midlothian, Labour) have signed a pledge calling for the Parliamentary Pension Fund to divest from fossil fuel companies owing to growing concerns about climate change.

The move comes as constituency members across the country are urging their local MPs to show they care about climate change by calling on their pension fund to align its investments with the UK’s legally-binding commitments to reduce global emissions from burning fossil fuels.

Ian Murray said: “We must be thinking about the future of our planet for future generations. The issue of climate change is the challenge of our time and the window of opportunity to reverse this devastating phenomenon is closing. Politicians can take the lead by signing international agreements such a Paris, Copenhagen and Kyoto but we can also do more at home.

“Disinvesting from industries that contribute to global warming the most would send out the message that we take this issue seriously and will set the example. It is a small step but with every small step we can make progress before it is too late.”

Deidre Brock added: “I support efforts to help the transition to a low carbon economy. Climate change is one of the biggest threats our planet faces - reversing the damage requires different choices and a more responsible approach to investments.

“Scotland is lucky to be so well placed for renewable energy resources, leading the world in technology such as wave and tidal energy. We need to take advantage of all the skills, knowledge and expertise we have as we move towards a sustainable green economy.”

Their call follows in the wake of eight organisations in Scotland committing to divest from fossil fuels, including church groups and the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Ric Lander, campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said the MPs should be congratulated for joining the growing fossil free movement.

Campaigners are now moving to gain the support of local councillors, calling on the Lothian Pension Fund to divest. In 2016 the fund, administered by the City of Edinburgh Council, had £104 million invested in fossil fuel companies. In 2017 this was estimated to have increased to £153 million.

Catrina Randall, of Divest Lothian - a local campaign group pressuring the Lothian Pension Fund to also drop its investments in fossil fuels - said: “Millions around the globe are already suffering the effects of climate change, and the future of fossil fuel investment is financially risky.

“It’s encouraging to see senior MPs calling for their pension fund to take climate change seriously by going fossil free. It doesn’t stop there though: Scotland’s local councils are also investing billions in the companies most responsible for the climate crisis.

“Hopefully this move by Edinburgh MPs will encourage local government to follow suit and support divestment.”