Amazingly, even as the United Kingdom is working toward environmentally cleaner fuel alternatives by removing its reliance on fossil fuel investments, they are also warning local councils not to boycott oil!
According to The Guardian, local councils have been warned they will face "severe penalties if they divest from fossil fuel holdings or boycott oil, coal or gas firms in procurement tenders."
While the U.K still has holdings in fossil fuel the Governor of the Bank of England has declared it a "stranded asset." This means the value is dropping in worth. By divesting away from fossil fuel, local councils are taking a proactive approach toward protecting their financial stability.
Tell the United Kingdom to stop threatening local councils for being prudent in their efforts to preserve their financial security and set up policies that help transition to renewables instead!
Attn: The Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, UK Government
Dear Sir,
We (the undersigned) are disheartened to learn that local councils are being threatened with severe penalties if they divest from fossil fuel procurements. Why (when the UK is supposed to be moving toward a cleaner environment) has this stance been taken?
Small councils have the democratic right to protect their interests; especially since fossil fuel has been declared a "stranded asset."
Please, reconsider your recent decisions regarding this matter, and instead of punishing local councils, create policies to assist them in protecting their interests, interests that fully align with the U.K.'s efforts stop the dependence on fossil fuels.
Sincerely,
