Issue 26: "..a monumental shift in fossil fuel finance.."
The money for scorching the planet might be drying up
Some of the best news this year happened when Commonwealth Bank (CBA) updated its climate policy to resemble something better suited to our dire times and the Paris Agreement. This is the monumental shift that Kelly Albion from 350.org refers to in the title.
350.org has been snapping at the heels of CBA for some time and this is part of what they had to say:
“ … Activists and shareholders have been pressuring CommBank for years over their vast fossil fuel lending, and now they’ve finally responded – first with a 92% reduction in fossil fuel lending, now ruling out all new oil and gas finance….”
Market Forces who recently released a major report naming and shaming the fossil fuel lending habits of the big four Aussie banks had this to say:
“ … the significant progress shown by Australia’s biggest bank is proof that people power can, and will, shift the biggest financial institutions and keep billions out of climate wrecking fossil fuel expansion. Congratulations to all the CommBank customers, shareholders, staff and community members who have stood up and demanded real climate action….”
Why is this exciting?
Without access to additional finance, a lot of fossil fuel businesses cannot pursue new projects and expand. This win comes on top of a recent one with the National Australia Bank opting out of credit arrangements for Whitehaven Coal, probably Australia’s worst and most irresponsible fossil fuel company. (Check out Issue 24 where we mentioned this.)
I have been thinking a bit about the different ways that change has been won.
Interestingly these different campaigns use multiple tactics to achieve the goal….
Attention-getting and eye-catching street marches or actions inside or outside an office
Communicating with senior executives via email, phone or LinkedIn
People like you and I chatting to staff across the counter about our concerns and asking them to push those messages up the line
Enlisting support of customers and shareholders by informing them about what’s really going on
People donating to not-for-profit organisations and grassroots groups to fund activities like giant billboards or full page newspaper ads that name and shame the corporate villains
Launching and winning legal challenges in Australia’s courts
And so much more - get some inspiration from this list of protest tactics which have evolved since the pandemic, including holographic projections, digital picket lines and art installations!
Climate Club Qld showcases stories where we see our collective efforts and our varied tactics are paying off (get it? ‘paying off’…. 😉) and people involved, like you, actually make a difference.
Hope you enjoy taking action with the opportunities below. 👊
What can you do today?
🐝 If you have 5 minutes:
The Queensland Government has released the Regulatory Impact Statement for the Queensland Lake Eyre Basin Channel Country for public consultation. (The relentless grassroots pressure leading to this over the last 7 years was covered in Issue 21). Here’s a chance to have your say about why this country is so precious and needs government protection. It's vital that new oil and gas development is permanently banned in the Lake Eyre Basin.
Action: Email a pre-written submission supporting the banning of new oil and gas development. Alternatively, see our 15 minute actions below to write a personal submission.
This one needs to be done pronto! Independent Senator David Pocock is introducing a private member’s bill to call for changes to the Climate Change Act to force the government to consider the health and well being of young and future generations when making decisions about projects that impact the climate. In Issue 14, we featured the class action case brought on behalf of all Australian children and teenagers, that successfully argued the then Environment Minister Sussan Ley had a duty of care to young people, and therefore approving the Gunnedah Whitehaven coal mine extension would endanger their future because of climate hazards. Unfortunately Sussan Ley successfully appealed against the decision. (She doesn’t have a duty of care to our children!!)
Action: Sign the Petition to signal your support for David Pocock's Bill
🐇 If you have 15 minutes:
As explained in our 5 minute actions above, the Qld Government is taking submissions regarding the options outlined in the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) for the Queensland Lake Eyre Basin. The preferred options that best reflect the need to prohibit new oil and gas development can be found in the template email supplied by Lock the Gate.
Action: Use the text in the template email to write a Submission using the government's own submission system.
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more:
For those who are parents (or grandparents): we live in a complex world and our children look to us for answers, understanding and above all things, the truth. So how do we provide this to them when we are facing climate change and the anxieties that this provokes for all of us?
Action: Join Australian Parents for Climate Change’s interactive web-based workshop to discuss how we face climate change both personally and as a parent. Sun 20th Aug 2023, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm AEST. A $5 fee (plus booking charge) is asked to cover minor costs.
As covered in Issue 25, the Australian Labor Party National Conference is being held at the Brisbane Convention Centre from Thu 17 to Sat 19 August. There is something for everyone:
Actions:
Thu 17th 8am - Form a giant human clock to send a clear message to Labor: Time’s Up! It’s time to protect Country and our Climate!
Fri 18th 8am - Rally for Peace, not War - no nuclear subs, no AUKUS, no war on China.
Sat 19th 8am - Join BirdLife Australia, ACF, and the Toondah Alliance as they rally to save the irreplaceable wetlands of Toondah Harbour (Cleveland, Brisbane). At 9am Bob Brown will be speaking about the need to defend our forests.
I didn’t know much about 350.org Australia - but then…
I went to some of their activities in Meanjin/Brisbane. A community dinner and film screening focused on the Our Islands, our Home campaign and later, an effective and fun event which successfully encouraged passers by and even bank staff to think about the role of banks. I really enjoyed the welcoming vibe and the positive approach. And as someone old enough to have adult children and a granddaughter, I thoroughly enjoyed the mix of ages among the people I met.
You can find out more about what 350 does and join up to their Meanjin/Brisbane or Central Queensland groups.
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Till the next issue … enjoy the wins.
Malcolm, plus Ron, Robyn and Jan - The Climate Club Qld team
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We live, work and play on the lands of the Yuggara and Turrbal people in and around Meanjin - Brisbane. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded - always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
2023 Climate Club QLD
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That's such a great list of different tactics to get our voices heard! With the elections coming up soon here in NZ, I'm definitely taking notes on some of these :)