We're Tyne and Wear Fund Pensioners who are extremely concerned about the climate emergency and don't want to profit from investment in fossil fuels. The major companies have no clear plans to stop extracting fuels (which lead directly to carbon emissions). About 3% of our pension fund is invested in fossil fuel producers and there are no plans to divest. We have called upon the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund to divest but they believe that engaging with producers will persuade them to change. We don't accept this and are not aware of any evidence that backs up their belief.

We are pledging to donate up to 3% of our annual gross pension to a local organisation dedicated to sustainability - Recyke y'bike.

And we're inviting you to join us. The more of us who do it, the more impact we have. It doesn't have to be 3% - whatever is easiest for you.

The aim is to bring attention to the issue of investment and to send the message that we don't want our money to come from the extraction of fossil fuels - it should be invested in sustainable solutions to Climate Change. We will create publicity events and media coverage of the campaign.

Recyke y Bike is working to tackle the Climate Emergency in the following ways:

1. Supporting sustainable transport. Providing bikes to buy at a reasonable price and giving bikes to people on low incomes means that cycling becomes affordable for more people.

2. Reducing waste. Thousands of bikes are discarded or abandoned each year in the North East. Recyke ybike processes over 5000 bikes each year.

3. Social support. Climate change is going to have the biggest impact on those already struggling. Recyke y'bike provide supported volunteering opportunities for refugees, people seeking asylum and young people. These opportunities boost confidence and self-esteem as participants acquire new skills. They help them to make new friends, communicate and negotiate as part of a large team and gain accreditation that will open doors to further opportunities, even employment, and develop the resilience needed as the effects of Climate Change worsen.