Local Stirling MP Alyn Smith has welcomed a commitment from Stirling Council to explore divestment of pension funds from the fossil fuels industry.

Stirling Council workers are part of the Falkirk Council Pension Fund, a call back from the arrangements of the Central Regional Council which covered Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire.

Margaret Brisley, the convener of Stirling Council’s Finance and Economy Committee, has backed a request from Green Councillor Alasdair Tollemache to write to the Fund for further information on their divestment approach.

In July 2020, Alyn Smith MP also wrote the Falkirk Pension Fund to echo concerns raised by constituents as to the wider green investment strategy.

Alyn Smith MP said:

‘I’m pleased to hear of fresh progress on this important issue. Public sector pension investments have huge financial weight behind them. The sooner these pensions pots are directed towards environmentally-sound projects and ventures, the better.

‘There is huge potential within existing public spend, procurement and pensions to weave a positive, green agenda through these vast finance streams. All credit to Stirling’s local climate change activists who have rightly pushed on this issue with focus and determination.’

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