Society of Authors Campaigns Against Fossil Fuels Yet Invests in Them

The Society of Authors has faced accusations of hypocrisy regarding its stance on fossil fuel sponsorships. This summer, the organization, which represents writers and illustrators, actively campaigned for literary festivals and publishers to distance themselves from companies involved in oil and gas. In alignment with this initiative, the society passed a motion from Fossil Free Books urging the publishing sector to divest from fossil fuel investments. Despite these efforts, it has come to light that the society maintains investments in fossil fuels, holding its funds in a Liechtenstein bank linked to the industry. The irony has drawn public criticism as the group sends emails to publishers and festivals urging them to reveal their fossil fuel ties, highlighting the disconnect between their advocacy and financial actions. This contradiction raises questions about the extent to which organizations genuinely commit to environmental issues when their financial interests may conflict with their public statements.