South Oxfordshire District Council in fossil fuel divestment call

South Oxfordshire District Council passed a motion on Thursday night calling for the Oxfordshire Pension Fund to stop investing in fossil fuel corporations.

Woodcote and Rotherfield Green councillor Jo Robb wrote in her motion: "These companies are the primary drivers of the crisis threatening our planet."

The council called on the fund to 'explore reinvestment of its funds into appropriate renewable energy companies at the earliest opportunity' and acknowledge that shareholder engagement was not creating the necessary pace of change.

Labour Councillor Mocky Khan, from Didcot South, seconded the motion and added: "Obviously these are things that may have financial implications but from the way things are going it won't affect people's investments.

"This is something we should do because the council and government have declared climate emergencies."

Oxford City Council have previously voted to avoid such investments.

Fossil Free Oxfordshire's Al Chisholm said: "The cross- party support for the motion shows that the tide is turning.

"Politicians of all hues are recognising that the fossil fuel industry is one that can no longer be supported on moral or financial grounds."