Challenge
Pensions have a huge role to play in tackling climate change - with occupational pension schemes' combined total assets reaching £2 trillion. Yet, a number of ex-public pension funds' current investment portfolios are opaque and ambiguous, incompatible with net zero targets.
Solution
Greenhouse provided strategic counsel and media relations support to Friends of the Earth Scotland to launch the report: "Polluted Pensions? Clearing the air around UK pensions and fossil fuels". We finessed the report's narrative and helped to strengthen media materials through additional datasets and findings, to create the strongest possible story for target UK media.
Result
We delivered 30 pieces of media coverage in the UK and Europe, including a front-page print article in the Sunday Times Scotland the day before the start of COP26. Other coverage highlights included international news agency AFP, which was syndicated in French national Le Figaro, as well as POLITICO, Euronews, and regional titles The National and Edinburgh Evening News.
Impact
Through a high quantity and quality of online and print media coverage, the Friends of the Earth report reached a wide audience, consequently raising public awareness and influencing policymakers. The report reignited activity on the Divest Parliament campaign. Shortly after its release, more than 130 cross-party MPs have signed a letter calling for the Parliamentary Pension Fund to divest from fossil fuels.
Media Coverage
