Melbourne climate activists staged an āEnd of Coalā parade on August 13. They were celebrating the Commonwealth Bankās decision to cancel its involvement with Adaniās Galilee coal proposals. They called on all Australiaās 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 Melbourneās CBD, urging them to follow in the Commonwealth Bankās 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: ā Commonwealth Bank has responded to community action and ceased their relationship with Adani. Itās now time for all of Australiaās other Big Banks to end their relationship with all fossil fuels. Weāre here today to deliver a message, on behalf of the community, calling for exactly that.ā
Commonwealth Bank is one of 13 banks that have ruled out involvement in Adaniās 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.
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