Labour members vote for a Fossil Free Greater Manchester

Labour members of Heywood and Middleton voted for a Fossil Free Greater Manchester on Friday (20 July).

Fossil Free Greater Manchester aims to get the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) to divest from fossil fuels, as this is not compatible for a healthy and sustainable future.

The GMPF has more money invested in fossil fuels than any other UK local government and Middleton & Heywood Labour members have decided that "enough is enough" and is calling on the Greater Manchester Pension Fund to:

• Immediately freeze any new investments in fossil fuel companies.
• Divest from companies involved in the exploitation of coal and unconventional oil or gas within two years, and all fossil fuel companies within five years.
• Work with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to develop and fund a low-carbon investment programme for Greater Manchester.

Labour Environment Officer for Middleton & Heywood, Adam Williams, said: “In voting for this motion, Labour members have decided that environment issues are also local issues, and we urge anyone that feels the same to write to their MP and let them know that this issue is also important to you.

"The Paris 2015 Agreement commits the UK government to ensure the global temperature increase remains lower than two degrees, with the aim of 1.5 degrees. This is incompatible with continuing to burn fossil fuels, and fossil fuel investments are threatening our communities by fuelling climate change.

"The latest data shows that the GMPF has over £1.8bn invested in fossil fuel companies and is the only local authority pension fund in the UK to invest over 10% of its portfolio in fossil fuels.

"Already the UK has seen devastating floods becoming more common, with the physical and economic impacts of climate change worsening yearly: just recently, the wildfires on Saddleworth Moor have brought the realities of climate change to our doorstep.

"To prevent a catastrophe, 97% of the scientific community believe the vast majority of fossil fuels should be left in the ground, which means an urgent transition towards a clean renewable economy. 

"Local councils are already leading the push for climate action in so many ways – championing local renewable energy, improving public transport and working for sustainable housing.

"Investing in the companies fuelling climate change contradicts these great efforts and undermines all that progressive work.

"By divesting, councils can join with hundreds of public bodies addressing climate change risk and can invest in a positive future for their community."

Several major employers in Rochdale are members of the GMPF, including Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust, and Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Several UK local government pension funds, such as the Merseyside and South Yorkshire Funds, have already committed to begin divesting from fossil fuels, joining a $6 trillion commitment in fossil fuel divestment worldwide.