Put fossil fuels on the agen da

Dear Editor

At the end of a report on the divestment of the Falkirk Pension Fund from fossil fuels (Protesters challenge council on climate, Observer, March 5) there is a statement made on behalf of Stirling Council.

This statement reads:“The administration, management and investment of the Falkirk Pension Fund has been delegated by Falkirk Council to its Pensions Committee.”

It seems from this statement that Stirling Council has handed over its responsibility for pensions to Falkirk Council, a double delegation. The Falkirk Pension Fund is the fund for Falkirk, Clackmannanshire and Stirling Council staff.

Delegation of the administration, management and investments of this fund to a committee does not mean handing over final responsibility for it to that committee. It is the responsibility of the three delegating authorities to continue to have some oversight over the committee and their actions and from time to time, as required, entering into dialogue with them if they think there is an issue that needs to be addressed.

One such issue is the decision of the Pensions Committee to continue investing in fossil fuels. These investments are causing untold damage to the environment by powering global warming and climate change. This damage is placing at existential risk the younger generations.

The moral, ethical and financial case for divesting from fossil fuels is overwhelming and for Stirling Council to try avoid considering this matter on such a weak argument as the matter has been delegated shows very poor leadership. There has never been a more important issue facing any generation , and more particularly future generations than what we are doing now to this planet.

The council must stop dithering around on this issue and should put on its next agenda for full council a clear and unambiguous resolution calling for the pension fund to divest from fossil fuels.

We do not have the time to delay any longer if we are going to show our duty of care to the younger members of our communities.

Rev Walter Attwood Whins of Milton