Barclays forced to CLOSE 50 branches after activists superglue doors shut

The climate campaign group has accused Barclays of being "the number one funder of fossil fuels in Europe."

WATCH HERE: Extinction Rebellion protest in London

An XR activist spokesperson: "We’re responding to public attitudes and targeting the perpetrators of climate breakdown, not ordinary people and we apologise for any inconvenience caused to staff and customers.

"The inconvenience we’ve caused this morning is small in comparison to the catastrophic events already happening due to Barclays’ financing of fossil fuels."

Some of the branches impacted include Kilmarnock Road in Glasgow, Albion Street in Leeds, the High Street in Lincoln and London’s Tottenham Court Road

Extinction Rebellion said it organised the protest with sister organisation Money Rebellion and "allied groups".

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A Money Rebellion activist who took part in the protest said: "Barclays are pumping billions into the fossil fuel industry, completely at odds with advice from the International Energy Agency, United Nations and IPCC.

"Barclays are choosing short term profits over a liveable future and a lot of us are sick of the measly progress they’re making, as they hide behind their lies and greenwash."

A spokesperson from Extinction Rebellion said: "This is part of a significant new wave of property-focused climate action.

"Superglued locks shutting down a branch may impact its business in the short term, but the longer term damage is to Barclays’ reputation as customers discover how its outdated business model destroys the environment, and take their money elsewhere."

Earlier this year seven activists who were found guilty of causing more than £100,000 of damage by smashing windows at the headquarters of the bank were spared jail by a judge.

A Barclays spokesperson said: “Aligned to our ambition to be a net zero bank by 2050, we believe we can make the greatest difference by working with our clients as they transition to a low-carbon business model, reducing their carbon-intensive activity whilst scaling low-carbon technologies, infrastructure and capacity.

"We have set 2030 targets to reduce the emissions we finance in five high emitting sectors, including the Energy sector, where we have achieved a 32 per cent reduction since 2020.

"In addition, to scale the needed technologies and infrastructure, we have provided £99bn of green finance since 2018, and have a target to facilitate $1trn in Sustainable and Transition financing between 2023 and 2030.”