CLIMATE activist Greta Thunberg has pulled out of a major festival — over “greenwashing” claims.
The eco-warrior, 20, panned the Edinburgh International Book Festival for its links to the fossil fuel industry.
Thunberg was set to speak at an event called It’s Not Too Late To Change The World on August 13.
But she said yesterday she would pull out in protest over sponsors Baillie Gifford — an investment management firm.
The disgruntled Swedish activist said the sponsor “invests heavily in the fossil fuel industry”.
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She said: “Greenwashing efforts by the fossil fuel industry, including sponsorship of cultural events, allow them to keep the social licence to continue operating.
“I cannot and do not want to be associated with events that accept this kind of sponsorship."
But the firm rejected the claims, insisting only two per cent of its clients’ money went to the sector.
Thunberg said the event was involved in “greenwashing” — a term meaning spin used to prove eco-friendly credentials.
Festival director Nick Barley said he “fully respected” the eco-crusader’s decision.
But citing the sponsor’s investment in clean energy, he added: “We strongly believe Baillie Gifford are part of the solution.”
Last month Thunberg was fined for a run-in with police after she refused to leave an anti-oil demo in Sweden’s Malmo harbour.
