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The Co-operative Bank has become the first financial services institution to support its workers taking part in global climate strikes this week.

The Manchester-based bank has teamed up with Unite to “demand urgent action” on climate change in a series of strikes due to take place tomorrow (September 20), the trade union announced today.

Andrew Bester, The Co-operative Bank’s CEO said the “foremost reason” for supporting the climate strike is because it has a “customer mandate to do so”.

He said: “Since 1998, our customer-led ethical policy has included a commitment not to bank any business whose core activity contributes to global climate change via fossil fuel extraction or production.

“Being seen as a leader in action on climate change is important to our customers and colleagues, but it’s also important that our efforts are part of a wider movement to tackle the global climate emergency.”

Unite national officer Rob MacGregor said the union and the bank were “actively supporting” its respective members and colleagues to attend local demonstrations while providing cover to ensure the bank's branches remain open.

Climate strikes will take place worldwide between September 20 and 27, with the º£½ÇÊÓƵ climate strike planned for this Friday.

The Co-operative Bank staff are invited to join demonstrations taking place in Manchester’s St. Peter’s Square, as well as in Leek in Derby and London.