Melbourne climate activists staged an “End of Coal” parade on August 13. They were celebrating the Commonwealth Bank’s decision to cancel its involvement with Adani’s Galilee coal proposals. They called on all Australia’s Banks to stop investing in fossil fuels.
Dressed in party gear, singing anti-coal songs and performing theatrics, the activists visited the Commonwealth Bank to congratulate them on their decision. They then visited ANZ, NAB and Westpac branches across Melbourne’s CBD, urging them to follow in the Commonwealth Bank’s footsteps by ruling out involvement in Galilee coal. Many bank staff were rather bemused; others got a little cranky at having their banks occupied.
Horticulturalist and Climate Angel Bronwyn Plarre said: “ Commonwealth Bank has responded to community action and ceased their relationship with Adani. It’s now time for all of Australia’s other Big Banks to end their relationship with all fossil fuels. We’re here today to deliver a message, on behalf of the community, calling for exactly that.”
Commonwealth Bank is one of 13 banks that have ruled out involvement in Adani’s ill-fated Galilee coal projects. Other banks include CitiBank, HSBC, Morgan Stanley and, as of August 11, British bank Standard Chartered. The announcement followed a concerted community campaign that saw thousands of people take action online and at hundreds of Commonwealth Bank branches offices across Australia and around the world.
Like the article? Subscribe to Green Left now! You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.