Chris Packham has blasted Simon Cowell for his Antarctica Barclaycard advert.
Chris Packham
The 57-year-old naturalist has criticised the 59-year-old television judge for signing a deal with the credit card company and starring in the TV promo, which has been slammed for funding fossil fuel extraction.
The clip shows the 'Britain's Got Talent' boss launching a talent show in continent to promote the bank's new online repayment calculator.
Chris is quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: "I am very surprised Simon didn't solicit better advice about this and how it would understandably enrage and disappoint those hoping that high-profile public figures would get on board with the message about addressing climate change."
MP Caroline Lucas - who is a member of the British Green Party - also publicly criticised Barclays for "funnelling millions into dirty energy for years" and deemed the advertisement as "offensive."
She said: "Barclays has knowingly been funnelling millions into dirty energy for years now, so this advertisement is deeply offensive."
Anna McMorrin - Labour MP for Cardiff North and co-chair of the Parliamentary Climate Change group - blasted Cowell's uncaring presence in the advert.
She said: "At first, I thought they were trying to at least reach out to people caring about the climate.
"But, it's just men sitting in a board room, man-splaining, flying all over the world, not caring about climate change."
Non-profit organisation Greenpeace UK described the bank as "the worst bank in Europe for funding fossil fuels"
Barclays has defended themselves and insisted that they offer a "balanced" approach which gives support for clients operating in energy sectors.
They said: "Our approach balances the need to accelerate the transition away from the most carbon intensive fossil fuel sources with ongoing support for clients operating responsibly in energy sectors that are expected to contribute significantly to the world's energy mix."
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