RBS faces climate change protests

Royal Bank of Scotland will be the target of a series of direct action protests this summer, the organisers of Climate Camp have announced today. The environmental group wants to broaden its campaign to target banks which fund the oil industry, particularly controversial tar sands developments, and engage in carbon trading, which they say is exacerbating climate change. The bank, following its £20bn taxpayer funded bailout, is a crucial link between government and the oil industry. According to organisers, RBS invests more in the fossil fuel industry than any other bank in the UK. They say that as a result, taxpayers' money is being used to invest in activities such as the exploitation of tar sands which are causing climate change. The camp, which takes place in late August, could be based in Scotland this year. RBS, which has its headquarters are in Edinburgh, holds its annual meeting next week, where it is likely to come under further attack from environmentally conscious investors. Climate Camp spokesman Richard Bernard said: "The root cause of climate change is always governments, banks and corporations which support the fossil fuel industry." More details about the protests will be announced next month.