CLIMATE change protestors held a protest at Kingston Lacey near Wimborne Minster to demand the National Trust to cease banking with Barclays as they say the bank is the biggest fossil fuel funder in Europe.

From August 9 -10, National Trust members joined with Extinction Rebellion Wimborne, complete with placards and signs, to speak to hundreds of visitors and urging them to join the call to encourage National Trust to stop banking with Barclays.

Analysis in the ‘Banking on Climate Chaos’ report reveal that Barclays provided $24.2 billion of financing to fossil fuel companies. The report also claims that since the international treaty on climate change was signed in 2016, otherwise known as the Paris Agreement, their financing has accumulated to $235.2 billion.

Protestors carried placards saying ‘Love National Trust, Not Barclays’, and invited visitors to Kingston Lacy to sign a petition calling on the charity to switch to a bank which does not fund fossil fuels.

Responding to the report by Banking on Climate Chaos, Barclays said their fossil fuel financing has fallen by 26% since 2020, when they established their climate commitment.

Extinction Rebellion Wimborne were joined with National Trust members Picture Extinction Rebellion Wimborne

A spokesperson said: “Barclays is a global bank; our position relative to other banks reflects this, the size of our balance sheet, and our historic energy and power business.

“Barclays is financing an energy sector in transition – an activity requiring significant capital.

“Our financed emissions for the energy and power sectors have reduced by 44% and 26% respectively, between 2020 and 2023.

“Investment is needed to support existing oil and gas assets, while clean energy is scaled.”

A National Trust spokesperson said: “The National Trust fully understands the urgency needed to find solutions to the climate crisis and the strength of feeling about this among some of our supporters.

“We welcomed Barclays’ announcement that they will stop direct financing to clients engaged in oil and gas expansion, and that they will require their clients in the energy sector to prepare climate transition plans.

“It is critically important that we continue to engage with the banking sector to do more and faster to reduce financed emissions.”

Retired ship captain, Peter Aldous, who took part in the outreach action said: “The National Trust have known about their members’ ethical concerns for years and they’re not doing anything about them.”

James Bullock, professor of ecology, said: “I love the National Trust and all the amazing work it does to restore and protect nature.

“Knowing that I’m indirectly supporting Barclays really spoils my trips to National Trust sites for me. The National Trust must cut its ties with Barclays, the most planet destroying bank in Europe.”

Kingston Lacy is famous for its grounds and extensive art collection. It is one of hundreds of sites owned by the National Trust, including nature reserves, national parks, coastline, historic buildings and estates across the country.