Protesters tell Westpac to stop snoozing over fossil fuels

Climate alarm: Protesters tell Westpac to stop snoozing over polluting investments

AUCKLAND: Peaceful protesters called time on Westpac’s climate-polluting investments today by setting off dozens of alarm clocks inside the bank’s flagship Auckland branch. The protest, organised by 350 Aotearoa, urged Westpac to do its part for the climate and divest the $6.33 billion that the banking group has invested in coal, oil and gas projects.

Playing on Westpac’s “It’s Time” ad campaign, the peaceful protesters entered the bank with clocks of various shapes and sizes. One by one, alarms went off inside the bank, as people held up a banner saying “it’s time to divest!”

“Climate change is with us now and the need to act has never been more urgent,” said Niamh O’Flynn, Executive Director of 350 Aotearoa. “Yet, alarmingly, banks like Westpac are pushing the ‘snooze button’ and continuing to invest billions in the very industries that are driving up temperatures and causing more extreme weather.”

As people mingled in the bank, one by one alarm clocks began to ring. Then a giant alarm clock entered the branch. It was met by characters representing ANZ and Westpac banks, who continued to push the ‘snooze button’ but failed to stop the alarm. Finally, a member of the public pressed the ‘divest button’, the alarm stopped, and protesters left the building.

350 Aotearoa are giving Westpac six months to commit to divestment. This follows a similar ultimatum that the group delivered to ANZ bank earlier this year, which was supported by Forest and Bird.

“The science is conclusive. Fossil fuels are causing catastrophic climate change, and need to be left in the ground. The banks need to face the reality that the fossil fuel era is over,” said O’Flynn.

Climate change is already impacting New Zealanders through increased frequency of drought and flooding across our towns, cities and farms. Climate change has also been described as the 'biggest global health threat of the 21st century' by leading medical journal, The Lancet.

“Banks are some of the few institutions with the power to keep fossil fuels in the ground,” said O’Flynn. “That means they have a significant moral responsibility for ensuring we all have a healthy, stable climate to live under.”

“It’s time for Westpac to wake up to climate change, do the right thing by New Zealanders, and divest from fossil fuels.”

For those who wish to take action, the pledge to move funds from Westpac and ANZ is online, at http://act.350.org/sign/anz-westpac-go-fossil-free/

ENDS

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