Visitors to Grey’s Court on August 4 peacefully gathered to highlight the trust’s connection with the bank, the largest funder of fossil fuels in Europe. There were also protests at Stowe Gardens and Waddesdon Manor, both in Buckinghamshire, on July 31. A member of the group said: "For me, the National Trust stands for beautiful scenery and lush landscapes.
"So I’m very disappointed that an organisation like the National Trust doesn’t prioritise the value of nature in their banking choice." In 2023, Barclays provided $24.221 billion, just more than £19 billion, of financing to fossil fuel companies.
Since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2016, their financing has added up to $235.2 billion, around £185 billion. The protesters said the National Trust should not support a bank that funds fossil fuels, given it owns 300 sites across the country including national parks, nature reserves and historical buildings.
Carrying signs saying ‘Love National Trust, Not Barclays’, they were part of nationwide campaigns against the bank. They also engaged with families, handing out leaflets calling on the charity to switch to a bank which does not fund fossil fuels. A resolution mandating this change will be put before the trust’s annual general meeting in November.
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