Image of climate activist Greta Thunberg

Neve Dawson

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has withdrawn from participating in the Edinburgh Book Festival over supposed ties to the fossil fuel industry. 

The 20-year-old was set to appear at the festival on the 13th of August, scheduled to speak at the ‘It’s Not Too Late To Change The World’ event at the Edinburgh Playhouse.

Instead, Thunberg has spoken out against the festival due to their sponsorship by investment firm Baillie Gifford, who she says “invests heavily in the fossil fuel industry.”

Accusations of Greenwashing Against Sponsor Baillie Gifford

Thunberg’s decision to withdraw from the event was sparked by an investigation conducted by The Ferret, which found that Baillie Gifford had invested billions in firms profiting from unsustainable energy.

Thunberg is just one of over 50 authors — including Zadie Smith, Ali Smith and Gary Younge — who have threatened to boycott the event next year if Baillie Gifford doesn’t drop its investments in fossil fuel companies.

Thunberg has accused the company of “greenwashing” by sponsoring events prominent in the cultural limelight, in turn masking their unsustainable investments. She stated: “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.”

Response from Baillie Gifford

Baillie Gifford has denied the severity of Thunberg’s claims, stating 5 per cent of funds from clients are invested into companies seeking clean energy solutions.

“We are not a significant fossil fuel investor,” the company claimed.

“Only 2 per cent of our clients’ money is invested in companies with some business related to fossil fuels. This compares to the market average of 11 per cent. 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.”

Response from Edinburgh International Book Festival

The festival’s director, Nick Barely, has spoken in favour of Thunberg’s principles, stating that he shares Thunberg’s opinion that “in all areas of society the rate of progress is not enough.”

However, he expressed continued support for Baillie Gifford, who has sponsored the festival for the past 19 years.

“We would not be in a position to provide that platform without the long-term support of organisations such as Baillie Gifford,” said Barley.

“We strongly believe that Baillie Gifford are part of the solution to the climate emergency. They are early investors in progressive climate positive companies, providing funds to help them grow,” he said.

While a full refund has been issued to those who purchased tickets for the ‘It’s Not Too Late To Change The World’ event, the situation of sponsorship has changed some climate campaigners’ perspectives on festival attendance.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival runs from 12th-28th August, featuring over 500 events and 550 authors.

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Featured image courtesy of Anthony Quintano via Flickr. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.

BA English + History Student at the University of Bristol | News, Culture and Arts Journalist for Empoword Journalism, Epigram News, So Young Magazine and The Rodeo Magazine.

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