Direct action against fossil fuel investment, ANZ Bank Dunedin

On Thursday morning 12 May, Dunedin is set to join a global wave of actions to keep oil, coal and gas in the ground. In Aotearoa New Zealand, ANZ group has been targeted as the largest funder of fossil fuel projects in the Pacific region.

In the largest protest so far this week and following a series of similar actions in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton, Dunedin protesters plan to peacefully shut down the George Street ANZ branch from business as usual for the day.

“Today, 350 Dunedin is stopping business as usual at this branch to send a clear message to ANZ Group that their NZ$13.5 billion investment in the fossil fuel industry is unacceptable.” Dunedin spokesperson Lucy Reid said.

"It is impossible to take ANZ’s sustainability pledge seriously while they continue to bankroll the extraction of fossil fuels. A stable climate cannot be maintained until we stop polluting the atmosphere with fossils fuels, regardless of the money being invested into the renewables sector."

The protestors call on the ANZ group to remove all investments in fossil fuel extraction within a 3 year time frame and commit to no future investments in the industry.

ANZ’s heavy exposure to a struggling resources sector saw their profits dive 3.6% in March. "It is unacceptable to use our money to prop up a dying industry that's destroying our children and grandchildren’s future” said 350 Dunedin supporter Rosemary Penwarden.

Otago University ecology student, Aoife Hutton, also planning to participate in the action, had this to say:

“ANZ Group’s investment portfolio is morally inexcusable. We must contest those who, despite overwhelming evidence showing that burning fossil fuels is causing climate change, refuse to enact change. Dunedin has a strong and diverse community, ready to stand up for climate justice and make our voices heard.”

“If we want to stay within the 2oC warming limit agreed in Paris this year, 80% of known fossil fuel reserves need to stay in the ground. ANZ don’t seem to understand this urgency and are currently considering funding the Carmichael Coal Mine in Queensland, which would be the biggest coal mine in Australia.”

350.org is an international grass-roots movement focused on preventing dangerous climate change by tackling new fossil fuel extraction and stopping fossil fuel investment.

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