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Let's be friendsFaced with P&P actions: RBS no-show at Aberdeen careers event
A protest at Aberdeen University continued as planned, even after the target of the event failed to turn up.
Aberdeen P&P tell RBS to put people before profit
Activists planned to question the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)’s environmental policies at an employer presentation event at the Kings College Conference Centre on Tuesday 11th November.
However, the group — consisting of students from several Aberdeen University societies — were not met by representatives from RBS. Instead, an empty hall, laid out as if ready for a presentation, with a sign explaining that the planned event had been cancelled.
The group’s anger towards RBS stems from its position as “the oil and gas bank”. The organisation has a history of involvement in the sector, continually working as a hands-on partner, constructor of loan agreements and financial adviser on oil and gas related projects. Between 2001 and 2006, RBS were involved in oil and gas projects worth over $30 billion.
The group believes that the financial support offered to the sector goes against any “green” argument the organisation attempts to push, with investment in fossil fuel projects locking the United Kingdom into a future of continual emissions and climate change.
The protest hoped to raise awareness of RBS’s vital position within the oil and gas sector to potential employees of the organisation.
However, the event, organised through the University’s careers service, was cancelled only three hours before it was set to begin.
A statement sent out to those attending the event blamed the large response to RBS’s graduate programme as reason behind the last-minute cancellation, explaining that due to the
overwhelming number of applications across the majority of our programmes […] have had to close most of our programmes for new applications. As a consequence of this, we have regrettably taken the decision to cancel our presentation on 11th November 2008.
Protestors chose to continue as planned, hanging placards and banners in the meeting room and discussing their case with the people who arrived at the venue, hoping to attend the RBS presentation.
The group also spoke to students outside the venue, keen to see what was happening and tempted by free tea and biscuits offered by the activists.
A spokesperson for the group commented:
It is unfortunate RBS cancelled the event at the last minute. However, tonight has offered us an opportunity to share our message with students at Aberdeen University and adds to the growing wave of unrest amongst young people - unhappy with problems in society.
The protest at Aberdeen University is one of several demonstrations taking place across the United Kingdom as part of the Ditch Dirty Development campaign, spear-headed by the People & Planet network.
RBS has previously responded to People & Planet’s claims by highlighting the bank’s environmental programme. This covers four key areas: RBS’s direct environmental footprint; encouraging employees to reduce their carbon impact; innovation of new “green” products and services; and the environmental risk, including financing and reputation. RBS also continue to higlight that they are a large bank and therefore have a significant energy financing portfolio and point out that they are also a leading financier of renewable energy, with hopes of being number one within this field in the near future.
Respond to RBS
Graduate recruitment actions are a really important part of a longer process of engagement with the Royal Bank of Scotland, putting public pressure onto RBS to change its ways. You can read up on People & Planet’s meetings with the bank here.
Take action now and email the RBS Corporate Responsibility Team. Let them know what you think of their dirty investments!
