MEMBERS of Fossil Free West Yorkshire and Global Justice gathered in Bradford on Friday.

It was part of the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice.

They gathered in front of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund’s (WYPF) offices in Aldermanbury House.

Jane Thewlis, from Fossil Free West Yorkshire, said: “What faces us, as we can see when we look at the videos of Catalonia in Spain, is like a horror film or sci-fi.

“But this is real and predicted to get worse. Climate breakdown won’t benefit any of us.”

Campaigners want to see the WYPF, which is administered by Bradford Council, divest from fossil fuel companies, though Ms Thewlis said they’re “delighted” West Yorkshire is leading the way.

Earlier this year, the WYPF said: “To reinforce our commitment to increased investment in climate solutions, WYPF wishes to make clear that it will not use WYPF assets to fund new fossil fuel developments. 

“In particular, WYPF will not be lending to the oil, gas and coal sector and will continue to work with other like-minded investors to demand a similar approach from the banking industry.”

WYPF said it would also review its level of equity holdings in the oil and gas sector.

Newly-elected Labour MPs Paul Davies (Colne Valley) and Anna Dixon (Shipley) have joined 12 other West Yorkshire MPs in the call for WYPF to divest from fossil fuels.