Activists Criticized for Ineffectiveness in Fossil Free Books Campaign
- Fossil Free Books activists face backlash for not achieving divestment from fossil fuels despite ending Baillie Gifford's sponsorships.
- Critics argue that targeting companies based on their fossil fuel investments is misguided and sends the wrong message.
- With Baillie Gifford pulling out of literary festivals, concerns arise over potential lack of sponsors for Fossil Free Books in the future.
Fossil Free Books campaign successfully pressured Baillie Gifford to end its investments in the fossil fuel industry after Greta Thunberg's withdrawal from a sponsored event. Despite criticism of the campaign's tactics, the group aims to transition to a more sustainable model for book festival funding. The decision to boycott Baillie Gifford-supported events led to the termination of sponsorship deals with literary festivals, sparking debate about the future of such events. While some argue that fossil-free initiatives are unrealistic given the pervasive use of oil and gas in society, others believe in the importance of addressing climate change through political action rather than boycotts. The impact of corporate sponsorship on the arts and the role of government funding in promoting sustainability remain key issues for Fossil Free Books and the literary community.