For the last year Christian Climate Action has been running a campaign, urging organisations to drop Barclays bank – the biggest funder of fossil fuels since 2016. The campaign is really picking up speed, with increasing numbers of organisations making the decision to drop the bank.

Only a couple of weeks ago, Oxfam announced that they were switching away from Barclays. The charity has given notice to the bank that it wants to withdraw all the cash deposits it holds and it says it has already ceased to use it for foreign exchange transactions. An Oxfam spokeswoman said: “Through our work with communities around the world, we see first hand the injustice of the climate crisis which is destroying homes, livelihoods and lives on an unprecedented scale. We decided that the extent of Barclays’ continued financing of fossil fuels was such that, where possible, we should move our business elsewhere.”

Another large charity that has dropped Barclays was Christian Aid – a charity with an income of over £75 million. Dr Rowan Williams, Former Archbishop of Canterbury and former Chair of Christian Aid, said: ‘It is essential that banks like all public and corporate bodies be held accountable for the use of their resources in the context of our global emergency, and I welcome the clear stand that has been made by Christian Aid on this matter.’

Other charities are also dropping the bank, for example Greenbelt Festival announced that it was dropping Barclays last year and instead is moving to Co-op bank. Derek Hill, Greenbelt Festival Executive Director explained his rationale for the switch: “We have grown increasingly uneasy about banking with Barclays, especially as we have become more and more committed to doing all that we can to be a climate-responsible organisation and to being as sustainable as we can be”

It’s not just charities that are making the switch away from Barclays. Churches are making the decision to drop the bank, with Sheffield Cathedral being one of those pledging to make the switch. Universities are also following suit – with Leeds University dropping Barclays already and Cambridge University exploring switching also.

Make the Move Away From Barclays

If you are part of an organisation that banks with Barclays, please do take the step to move to a more ethical bank. If you’re considering doing this, you can let us know at christianclimateaction@gmail.com

There’s 3 steps to any banking switch:

• Drop Barclays bank
• Tell them why you’re leaving
• Publicise your decision to switch banks (we can do this for you)

And if you need help in switching banks – MotherTree is a great organisation that can help