BRADFORD West MP Naz Shah has become the latest public figure calling on West Yorkshire Pension Fund to divest its investments in fossil fuels.

She said following a recent meeting with Fossil Free West Yorkshire group: “‘Wise investors are moving their money out of fossil fuels now before it is too late.

“In the UK, many pension funds are increasingly winding down their investments in fossil fuels.

“This is uncontroversial, given the existing consensus on the threat of climate change and the financial risks posed in things like stranded assets.

“I join my constituency in calling upon WYPF to invest safely for pension holders and Bradford residents’ wellbeing by committing to divest now.”

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain has also given his support to the campaign along with 16 Bradford councillors.

Manny McKenzie, a delegate from Bradford West Constituency Labour Party, who moved an amendment to the motion said: “Climate change is happening now: action is urgent. As renewable energy takes off, the value of fossil fuel investments is predicted to fall and they risk becoming what the Governor of the Bank of England called ‘stranded assets’ that are ‘unburnable’. Studies published this summer predicted fossil fuel investments could be left stranded some time before 2035; another study this month says global demand could peak by 2023, posing a significant risk to investments.”

Jane Thewlis, from Fossil Free West Yorkshire, said: “It is great to have the constituency’s support, and it is worth noting that our MP has taken a lead on divestment in the UK. I am proud that Naz was one of the first MPs in the country to support divestment, back in 2016. Now over 180 cross party MPs and former MPs have signed for their own pension fund to divest.”

The group says WYPF has £933 million invested in fossil fuel companies. The Fossil Free West Yorkshire group is campaigning for Bradford Council, which manages the fund, to cuts financial links with the fossil fuel industry.

Earlier this month an action was held in Bradford calling for WYPF to divest, with over 100 people from the five local authorities in West Yorkshire attending. Bradford’s own ‘Rise for Climate’ occurred in conjunction with over 900 similar actions in seven continents taking place in 95 countries across the world.