Greta Thunberg cancels her participation at the Edinburgh Book Festival due to 'greenwashing'

Climate activist and author Greta Thunberg has canceled her much-anticipated participation at the Edinburgh International Book Festival this year. The reason: Greta said the festival sponsor is heavily invested in fossil fuels, and she accused them of "greenwashing".

The Swedish climate activist said, as per a statement on the festival's website, "As a climate activist I cannot attend an event which receives sponsorship from Baillie Gifford, who invest heavily in the fossil fuel industry".

She further said in the statement, “Greenwashing efforts by the fossil fuel industry, including sponsorship of cultural events, allow them to keep the social license to continue operating. I cannot and do not want to be associated with events that accept this kind of sponsorship.”

Thunberg was supposed to speak at the event on August 13 on the topic "It's Not Too Late To Change The World" and the tickets for the event was sold out.

Meanwhile, responding to Greta's accusations both Baillie Gifford- the British investment firm, and Nick Barley- the festival director, defended themselves.

“While I am disappointed that Greta will not be joining us on the 13 of August, I fully respect her decision. I share Greta’s view that in all areas of society the rate of progress is not enough. However, in applauding Greta for standing by her principles, we too must stand by ours. The Book Festival exists to give a platform for debate and discussion around key issues affecting humanity today - including the climate emergency. As a charitable organisation, we would not be in a position to provide that platform without the long-term support of organisations such as Baillie Gifford," Nick Barley- the festival director said in a statement.

On the other hand, festival sponsor Ballie Gifford refused that they are "a significant fossil fuel investor." It said in a statement,
"Only two percent of our clients' money is invested in companies with some business related to fossil fuels."

kia