A DISTRICT council is pressurising its own pension fund to divest from fossil fuels.

South Oxfordshire District Council passed a motion on Thursday night calling for the Oxfordshire Pension Fund to stop investing in fossil fuel corporations.

Woodcote and Rotherfield Green councillor Jo Robb wrote in her motion: "These companies are the primary drivers of the crisis threatening our planet."

ALSO READ: Oxfordshire County Council could divest from fossil fuels

The council called on the fund to 'explore reinvestment of its funds into appropriate renewable energy companies at the earliest opportunity' and acknowledge that shareholder engagement was not creating the necessary pace of change.

Labour Councillor Mocky Khan, from Didcot South, seconded the motion and added: "Obviously these are things that may have financial implications but from the way things are going it won't affect people's investments.

ALSO READ: 'Oxfordshire council's pension fund must divest from fossil fuel' - opinion

"This is something we should do because the council and government have declared climate emergencies."

Oxford City Council have previously voted to avoid such investments.

Fossil Free Oxfordshire's Al Chisholm said: "The cross- party support for the motion shows that the tide is turning.

READ AGAIN: Oxfordshire County Council told to divest by own staff

"Politicians of all hues are recognising that the fossil fuel industry is one that can no longer be supported on moral or financial grounds."