People & Planet groups tell RBS/NatWest to Ditch Dirty Development!

On the eve of Shared Planet 2007, P&Pers from Sheffield, Leeds and Essex joined forces to protest against the Royal Bank of Scotland's investment in fossil fuel extraction projects.

P&Pers create a real-life version of the new Action card

Mika Minio-Paluello

On Friday 16 November P&Pers from Sheffield, Leeds and Essex joined forces to protest against the Royal Bank of Scotland’s (RBS), including NatWest*, continued investment in fossil fuel extraction projects. As part of the launch of the campaign against RBS, students recreated a real-life version of the cartoon on the new Ditch Dirty Development action card drawn by cartoon satirist Polyp.

©Copyright Polyp 2007

The group set up their street theatre outside the Natwest branch, just down the road from the Uni. Some playing the role of RBS employees, speaking about how RBS investment in fossil fuels massively outweighs investment in renewable energy. Others were handing out leaflets and stickers and encouraging people to sign action cards whilst explaining the new strategy for the campaign, which involves using the threat of a boycott in 2009 rather than boycotting straight away.

We had a great public response, I think the visual imagery worked really well
- Sian Tedds, Sheffield P&P group.

This is just the beginning of the RBS side of the campaign. Next term we want to step up the pressure on RBS with local branch actions and action card signings across the country. We will also organise action card hand-ins for both DFID and RBS to coincide with key dates, such as the RBS Group Annual General Meeting, so keep an eye out for these on the website and in the e-active.

Visit our campaign pages to read more about our Ditch Dirty Development Campaign.