Week of Action Urging National Trust to Drop Barclays

This summer, we are inviting people to hold colourful, family-friendly actions at their local National Trust sites, urging the charity to stop banking with Barclays – the biggest funder of fossil fuels in Europe.

When? The week of action is from Monday July 29th to Sunday August 4th. You are invited to hold your action on any day across this week.

Register your action: Let us know about your action, by using the registration form at the bottom of the campaign webpage.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ACTION GUIDE

The theme of the week of action is ‘Love National Trust, Not Barclays’. Local CCA groups, and other groups such as Parents for Future, are planning events like picnics at stately homes, yarn bombing displays, fun photo calls, and even walking a series of National Trust hills and clifftops, calling on the charity to switch to an ethical bank. 

You can take part in the week of action, on your own, or with others. It could be as simple as getting a photo of you carrying a placard at a National Trust beauty spot, or collecting signatures for the petition. You can print out copies to take with you here.

Zoom Meetings to Chat things Through and Ask Questions

Some people like to chat things through in person and ask questions. No problem, join one of our two Open Calls:

Monday, 8th July, 7-8pm: https://shorturl.at/KAHsZ

Wednesday, 26th June, 7-8pm: https://shorturl.at/gYgsL

Why is CCA taking this action?

The National Trust is one of the UK’s best-loved brands, preserving nature reserves, coastlands, and major heritage sites. Yet the charity is a customer of Barclays, Europe’s biggest funder of oil and gas, which has poured $235.3 billion into fossil fuels since 2016. 

When a trusted institution like The National Trust which does so much good work on the conservation of our land chooses Barclays, this gives the bank social licence and political influence, as it can present itself as a bank associated with positive causes – instead of one which is bankrolling climate collapse. 

National Trust members and activists have put substantial pressure on the charity by protesting outside their last two AGMs, and raising a motion for it to switch banks. So the National Trust is very much aware of the issue. Momentum is increasing and it’s a good moment to demonstrate the breadth of support for the campaign.

Who is involved in the campaign?

Alongside CCA, other local activist groups supporting the campaign include Tipping Point, XR Families, Fossil Free London, Money Rebellion, Parents for Future, Extinction Rebellion and others are expected to join the network.  Whether you are a National Trust member, staff, volunteer, or visitor, everyone can participate by signing the petition, sharing the campaign on social media, holding an action, or raising awareness with other visitors and staff. 

How can I promote the campaign?

Please promote the Week of Action on your social media, and tell friends and colleagues to join you in taking action at your local National Trust site, or sharing the online petition. We will also be creating a template press release, so that you can share your action with your local press.

Remember to take photos of your action and upload photographs to our Telegram media chat, so we can share them too. The best photos will be made into postcards and sent to National Trust board members telling them to stop banking with Barclays.

Which bank should the National Trust switch to?

Many charities are already dropping Barclays, such as Christian Aid and Oxfam. If a huge organisation like the National Trust also dropped Barclays, it would be a key campaign win, putting pressure on other charities to follow suit.

There are numerous fossil-free banks that organisations can switch to which are covered in the Bank Better Campaign Handbook.

What if I’m not available that week?

We’ve tried to plan the week for the start of the school holidays, when lots of people will be available. If you’re not able to make this week, do know that you can hold an event sometime in June or July. But hold off sharing the photos on social media until Monday 29th July, when the week of action begins.

Where can I find out more?