Peaceful climate protest calls on ANZ to pull $13.5 billion out of fossil fuel projects

Peaceful protesters will blockade ANZ’s flagship branch on Queen Street in Auckland today to draw attention to the bank’s heavy investments in fossil fuel projects. They are demanding that ANZ divest from the fossil fuel industry that is driving climate change.

Today’s protest is part of Break Free, a global wave of nonviolent actions to keep coal, oil and gas in the ground and accelerate the just transition to 100% renewable energy. Actions are taking place across six continents between 4th and 15th May.

Protesters will block both entrances to the ANZ branch to close it down for the day. Some will lock onto a heavy “oil” barrel, while others will link arms, hold signs, and sing songs.

The ANZ Group have $13.5 billion invested in coal and gas projects. They are the largest lender to outdated fuel projects in Australia and New Zealand.

“The banks have an enormous influence over the future of our climate,” said Niamh O’Flynn, Executive Director of 350 Aotearoa.

“Fossil fuel companies are reliant on finance to make their projects happen. If bank executives chose to stop lending money to oil, coal and gas projects, those projects would never get off the ground.”

Inspired by the peaceful civil-disobedience of Te Whiti o Rongomai, Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi and Rosa Parks, people across New Zealand are standing up for their right to a safe climate. They are demanding that The ANZ Group divest from fossil fuels and stop bankrolling the industry that is wrecking our chance at a good future.

“Instead of doing their part to meet the scientific reality of climate change, the major banks like ANZ are demanding that we adapt to an uninhabitable world,” O’Flynn added.

“It’s in our hands to close the gap between the world the banks are setting us up for and what science demands is necessary in order to protect our common home.”

“This protest adds to the successful Break Free actions that have occurred in New Zealand this week,” said Niamh O’Flynn, Executive Director of 350 Aotearoa. “It is the largest protest so far this week and follows a series of similar actions in Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Dunedin.”

“As the largest bank in the Pacific Islands, ANZ has a responsibility to do its part to prevent further damage to the climate,” said O’Flynn.

“Each year, our Pacific neighbours are being hit by increasingly frequent and severe storms. ANZ has no right to bankroll the obliteration of entire nations of people for the sake of its short-term profits.”

ENDS

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