Greta Thunberg withdraws from the Edinburgh Festival for "eco-imposture" of her sponsor

The environmental leader Greta Thunberg has canceled her attendance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (Scotland) due to the “eco-imposture” of her sponsor, the Scottish fund management firm Baillie Gifford, the organization announced this Friday.

“As a climate activist, I cannot attend an event that is sponsored by Baillie Gifford, who invests heavily in the fossil fuel sector,” said the young Swedish woman, who was invited to an event on August 13.

“Green image laundering efforts by the fossil fuel industry, including sponsorship of cultural events, allows it to maintain the social license to continue operating. I cannot and do not want to be associated with events that accept this type of sponsorship,” she explains in a statement released by the literary festival.

The organizers' response

Nick Barley, director of the event, which is included in the Edinburgh International Festival of Music and Performing Arts, has said for his part that he “respects” the decision of the 20-year-old activist, although he feels “disappointed”..

Barley defends the opportunity that, with its sponsorship for 19 years, Baillie Gifford offers them to “provide a platform for debate and discussion on key issues that affect humanity, including the climate crisis”.

“As a non-profit organization, we would not be in a position to do so without the long-term support of organizations like Baillie Gifford,” he says in the note, where he promises to reimburse those affected.

The director of the Book Festival maintains that the company is “part of the solution” by pioneering investment in “climate-positive” companies, providing funds to help them grow.

In the same statement, the fund manager assures that it is not “a major investor in fossil fuels”, since only “2% of the money” of its clients is “in companies with a business linked” to the sector.