C.S. Venkatakrishnan, chief executive of Barclays Plc. Photographer: Christopher Goodney/Bloomberg Barclays' decision on oil and gas mirrors similar moves from UK and European peers. Societe Generale SA said in September it's planning to halt lending to some new oil and gas projects, which followed restrictions from BNP Paribas SA and HSBC Holdings Plc. Its historic ties to the fossil-fuel industry have long made Barclays a target of climate activists, with protesters frequenting its annual meetings and office buildings. The bank has also faced shareholder resolutions on winding down its lending to the oil and gas sector. Against that backdrop, Barclays' newest restrictions on fossil finance won measured praise from climate activists. "ShareAction welcomes the publication of Barclays' policy update.