Campaigners have called on North Yorkshire Council to “step up” its divestment from fossil fuel companies.

Fossil Free North Yorkshire, which was set up in 2020, has called on the authority to reinvest its pension fund into sustainable projects.

The fund receives contributions from staff at 160 firms, plus past and present public sector workers.

Campaigners said they had met the council’s pension fund committee on a number of occasions and welcomed a reduction in investments to about 1.8% of the total fund, but argued it still represented nearly £76m.

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Dr Margaret Jackson, from Fossil Free North Yorkshire, said the recent COP 28 meeting in Dubai had signalled a transition away from oil, gas and coal.

Local campaigners wrote to all North Yorkshire councillors calling on them to support the case for divestment by the council pension fund committee from fossil fuels and their reinvestment into sustainable projects.

Dr Jackson said:

“Although the outcome of the recent COP in UAE was felt to be disappointing by many, it did signal, with the ‘transition away from fossil fuels’, the beginning of the end of coal, oil and gas. 

“Pension funds and other investors should take note and move away from these investments before they become stranded.”

In response, Gary Fielding, treasurer of the North Yorkshire pension fund, said the fund had already committed investment in renewable projects.

He said:

“The North Yorkshire Pension Fund has its own responsible investment policy which sets out an approach to managing assets that take environmental, social and governance factors into account in investment decision-making and the role an investor plays as an active asset owner. 

“We are also working with our principal investment manager, Border to Coast Pensions Partnership, on developing targets and policies. As a shareholder of Border to Coast, we are aligned with their net zero target of 2050 or sooner. 

“Our pension fund has also committed further investment to the Borders to Coast Infrastructure Fund, which holds an ever-increasing range of renewable energy investments in the UK and abroad, which includes wind farm and solar power farms, geothermal energy plants and energy from waste facilities.”

Fountains Abbey has submitted plans to introduce solar panels at its attraction in an effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The National Trust, which owns the site near Ripon, has lodged the plan with Harrogate Borough Council.

It would see the 34kW panels installed on the roof of its visitor centre to generate electricity.

In documents submitted to the council, the trust said the plan was part of its commitment to reduce reliance on fossil fuels at a time of high energy prices.

It said:

“This proposal will reduce the reliance on imported electricity and reduce fossil fuel sources, and in future will enable funds to be directed to other goals such as increased efforts in environmental protection and conservation.

“At a time when the cost of energy is extremely high the organisation is looking at creative ways to minimise the impact on the charity as well as make meaningful change for the environment.”

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The trust had initially proposed to implement 105 panels on the roof, but later reduced this to 95 to preserve the character of the building.

It is hoped the panels will contribute 28,000kWh of electricity to the site each year and help the trust reach its carbon net zero target by 2030.

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.