13 October 2020 Today’s annual general meeting (AGM) heard from Commonwealth Bank shareholders who clearly feel the bank isn’t living up to its climate claims and commitments, especially considering its funding for expansion of the gas industry. Gas lending incompatible with the Paris Agreement In August 2019, CommBank committed to … Read More
Media release: Fossil fuel lending by Australian banks tops AU$35bn
New Market Forces analysis – Funding Climate Failure Wednesday 8 July, 2020: Despite repeated pledges and policies to the contrary, Australia’s big four banks have once again increased funding to the expansion of the fossil fuel industry over the past year. The figures mean fossil fuel lending has topped $35.5 … Read More
Westpac sets thermal coal exit date, re-commits to Paris alignment
4 May, 2020 Westpac’s Climate Change Action Plan Update, released today, is another nail in the coffin for thermal coal, while the seriousness of the bank’s broader commitment to lend in line with the Paris Agreement climate goals will be revealed in time via its oil and gas lending. Westpac … Read More
Adani faces debt bill as Abbot Point refinancing fails
15 April 2020 The deteriorating financial state of the Adani Group and its Abbot Point coal export terminal raise serious questions about the ability of Adani to keep using its own money to finance the much-delayed Carmichael coal mine and rail line. Three major debts of Abbot Point are due … Read More
Millions call on Westpac to end funding of fossil fuel expansions
15 April 2020 Market Forces has coordinated a letter signed by 52 organisations representing 4.2 million people from all over the world, calling on new Westpac CEO Peter King to end Westpac’s practice of loaning money to expansionary coal, oil and gas projects and companies. See the full letter here. … Read More
Westpac heavily favouring fossil fuels over renewables
11 April 2020 As you read this, Westpac is rewriting its climate change policy. And it clearly needs an upgrade. Since the Paris Agreement was reached, Westpac has loaned $5.4 billion to fossil fuels and only $2 billion to renewable energy technology. That means for every dollar Westpac loaned to … Read More
Westpac Shareholder action
As you read this, Westpac is rewriting its climate change policy. And it clearly needs an upgrade. Shareholders have a powerful voice and you can use this form to contact the head of Westpac’s investor relations now. Tell Westpac to set a policy that aligns with keeping global warming below … Read More
Bushfire survivors call on banks to stop funding climate crisis
20 March 2020 Today, anyone leafing through the pages of the Australian Financial Review can’t have missed this powerful ad on page 15: The Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action group has sent an open letter to the major Australian banks calling on them to stop funding new fossil fuel projects … Read More
Massive Sydney mural targets Westpac’s inadequate climate policies
9 March 2020 Market Forces has put up a powerful, 8 metre high mural on Sydney’s Elizabeth St in Surry Hills, targetting Westpac for its funding of coal, oil and gas projects, the industries most responsible for fueling the climate crisis and worsening bushfires. Since committing to the goals of … Read More
Massive Sydney mural targets Westpac’s inadequate climate policies
9 March 2020 Market Forces has put up a powerful, 8 metre high mural on Sydney’s Elizabeth St in Surry Hills, targetting Westpac for its funding of coal, oil and gas projects, the industries most responsible for fueling the climate crisis and worsening bushfires. Since committing to the goals of … Read More