A coalition of 12 groups, including GetUp!, Greenpeace Australia Pacific and the Australian Conservation Foundation, will raise awareness that the Big 4 Banks may be use their customer’s savings for projects that impact the global icon.
A number of high profile international banks, including HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland, have ruled out involvement in Abbot Point coal ports and Galilee mines. The coalition is asking Australia’s Big 4 Banks to follow this lead and rule out financing projects that threaten the Reef.
Sam Mclean, National Director of GetUp! said, “Almost all our members bank with one of the big four banks - they don’t want their money being used to destroy the Reef."
"Over the past year, our members dug deep to fund High Court challenges, rallied on the streets and campaigned to convince international banks not to fund developments on the Reef. They're ready to do it again until our Australian banks do the right thing and rule out the Abbot Point projects, along with Adani and GVK’s destructive mega-mines.”
Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter said, "International banks are refusing to fund the coal terminal at Abbot Point because of the unacceptable risks it poses to the Reef. Australians are now looking towards the Big Four Australian banks - surely they wouldn't dare fund the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef? "
Lucy Manne, Director of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) said, "Our banks spend millions on marketing campaigns designed to attract young customers - but young Australians want to see the Great Barrier Reef and our climate protected. That's why we'll be urging our 100,000 members to take our campaign to their schools and universities, and send the banks a message: destruction of the Reef is risky business."
Blair Palese, of 350.org, said, “If the banks don’t distance themselves from these projects, then their customers and investors will distance themselves from the banks.”
Media Contact: Jane Garcia 0434 489 533
Australian NGOs who have signed the letter to Big 4 Banks include: Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Marine Conservation Society, Australian Youth Climate Coalition, BankTrack, Birdlife Australia, Friends of the Earth, GetUp, Greenpeace, Lock the Gate, Mackay Conservation Group, Sumofus and 350.org