SALFORD LIB DEMS FORCE MAJOR CLIMATE SHIFT ON £1.3BN PENSION FUND

Cllr Paul Heilbron leads breakthrough motion calling on GMPF to divest from fossil fuels

The Salford Liberal Democrat group has delivered one of the city’s most impactful green wins yet—passing a landmark motion demanding the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) divest from fossil fuels.

The motion, brought forward by Cllr Paul Heilbron, targets the GMPF’s £1.3 billion in fossil fuel investments in companies like BP, Shell and Glencore, and sets out a bold demand: align with Salford’s 2038 net-zero target, not the UK Government’s slower 2050 goal.

“This is a massive win for Salford and for our planet,” said Cllr Heilbron, who represents Salford Quays.
“Residents are facing real impacts from the climate crisis—floods, heatwaves, rising costs—and it’s not right that our public money is still funding the industries making things worse.”

The new policy will increase pressure on Tameside Council, which administers the GMPF, to explain why the Fund continues to delay full disinvestment.

The motion:

• Calls on GMPF to align with Salford’s 2038 zero-carbon target
• Demands the Fund exit fossil fuel investments
• Requires public progress reports to hold the Fund to account

“We’ve shown that a small group of committed councillors can deliver big, bold results,” Cllr Heilbron added.
“We’re not here to tick boxes—we’re here to change Salford for the better.”

This victory continues Cllr Heilbron’s environmental crusade, with previous calls for cleaner air, sustainable transport, and ethical investment. The Lib Dem motion now brings Salford in line with trailblazers like Southwark, Islington, and New York City, which have all moved to ditch fossil fuel assets.

With growing public pressure and the climate emergency worsening, this bold move sets a new standard for local government climate action—and proves change doesn’t need a majority, just the will to fight for it.