Barclays on Edinburgh's Princes Street blocked by climate activists

Greenpeace activists have blocked the entrance.

The entrance to Barclays on Edinburgh's Princes Street has been blocked by climate activists this morning.

Greenpeace activists are protesting the bank’s investment in fossil fuels.

A large structure has been placed in front of the entrance on Princes Street to prevent both staff and customers from getting in.

The move is part of a campaign to target 100 branches across the UK, including in Perth, Stirling and Dunfermline.

The structure blocking the entrance also shows an exhibition of photographs of the effects of the climate emergency.

Morten Thaysen, climate finance campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said: “Barclays must stop funding the climate emergency, that’s why we’ve taken action today.

“From floods to bushfires and record heat in Antarctica, the impacts of this crisis are staring us in the face.

“Yet Barclays keeps pumping billions into fossil fuel companies at exactly the time we need to stop backing these polluting businesses.

“Banks are just as responsible for the climate emergency as the fossil fuel companies they fund, yet they’ve escaped scrutiny for years.

“We’ve shut down branches across the country to shine a spotlight on Barclays’ role in bankrolling this emergency. It’s time Barclays pulled the plug and backed away from funding fossil fuels for good.”

Barclays has been contacted for comment.