19 April 2019 The decision by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and a consortium of commercial banks to finance the proposed Van Phong 1 coal-fired power station in Vietnam has been branded as shameless and cowardly by clean energy advocates. JBIC announced on its website that financing had … Read More
Analysis: Singapore banks signal an end to new coal financing
18 April 2019 This week saw Singapore’s two biggest banks, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) and DBS, commit to an end point for their lending to new coal power plants. On Monday, OCBC CEO Samuel Tsien told media: “We won’t do any new coal-fired power generation plants in any countries, except … Read More
Media release: OCBC and DBS coal policies a game changer for Asian energy finance
Responding to the news that OCBC and DBS have, within two days of each other, signalled an end point to financing new coal power stations, Market Forces Executive Director Julien Vincent said: This week was a major game-changer for energy finance in the ASEAN region. The commitments by DBS and … Read More
OCBC bank ends new coal power lending, except for two projects in Vietnam
17 April 2018 OCBC’s chief executive officer Samuel Tsien said in an interview earlier this week that OCBC will not fund any more new coal – but will remain in two projects in Vietnam. Subscription news sources suggest these projects are Van Phong 1 and Vung Ang 2. “OCBC’s decision … Read More
Suncorp: The last major Australian insurer supporting new coal
11 April, 2019 One of Australia’s biggest insurance companies has ended up being the last major insurer still open to providing insurance to (underwriting) new thermal coal projects. Suncorp, which owns brands AAMI, GIO, APIA and Just Car, was put into this embarrassing position after competitor QBE announced an end … Read More
CIMIC Group refuses to rule out Adani
11 April 2019 The Adani Carmichael coal mine and rail project is perhaps the most contested mining project in Australian history. An eight-year campaign has seen more than 40 banks and insurance companies worldwide refuse to back it, as have many engineering and construction contractors. To be seen doing business … Read More
Tell your super fund: Vote for climate action!
April 2019 Through your retirement savings, you can have a say in how many Australian companies are run. Tell your super fund to vote for climate action from corporate Australia. Market Forces has worked with shareholders to put climate action on the agenda at three major Australian company meetings coming … Read More
QBE dumps thermal coal due to global warming
2 April 2019 On Saturday, Australia’s biggest coal underwriter (insurer) took the positive step of committing to phase out its entire thermal coal business by 1 January 2030. QBE also ruled out providing insurance to any new thermal coal mine, power plant or transport network from 1 July 2019, and … Read More
Media Release: Market Forces welcomes QBE’s end to coal finance
Saturday 30 March, 2019: The announcement today by Australia’s largest insurer, QBE, to end its support for the coal industry has been welcomed by environmental finance group Market Forces. “QBE’s decision to withdraw insurance from the coal industry is business and environmental good sense,” said Market Forces campaigner Pablo Brait. … Read More
Out of line, out of time
With devastating impacts of climate change already being felt around the world, the need to act has never been more urgent. But 22 of Australia’s biggest companies are dragging us in completely the wrong direction, pursuing new fossil fuel projects and basing their business plans on the failure of the … Read More