Greenpeace dumps COAL at Commonwealth Bank headquarters

Greenpeace activists have delivered more than 100 bags of coal to the doorstep of the Commonwealth Bank’s Sydney headquarters as they protest its refusal to rule out coal financing. 

Activists wearing hazmat suits pushed a coal train emblazoned with the slogan ‘Coalbank’ through the city as commuters made their way to work in Darling Harbour on Monday morning.

Activists took aim at CBA’s refusal to rule out future investment in new coal projects, with Greenpeace spokesman Jonathan Moylan saying the bank doesn’t appear to be taking the issue of climate change seriously.

Activists wearing hazmat suits pushed a coal train emblazoned with the slogan ‘Coalbank’ through the city

‘Globally banks have ruled out lending to big coal projects … they (CBA) need to adopt the same standards as their peers,’ Mr Moylan said on Monday. 

The coal was placed in front of the main entrance to the building alongside posters highlighting what Greenpeace argue are the impacts of the bank’s climate policy. 

In July, CBA pointed to its investments in renewable energies and voiced its support for a ‘transition to a low-carbon economy’. 

‘Commonwealth Bank continues to play a leading role in financing renewable energy, and in building a sustainable future in Australia and overseas,’ it said in a statement.

‘As a major financial institution, we believe we need to take a balanced, measured and responsible approach as we support the transition to a low-carbon economy. 

‘In the past few months, we have led a number of innovative projects that demonstrate that commitment.’

Activists took aim at the bank’s refusal to rule out future investment in new coal projects

An arial view of a previous demonstration as Greenpeace members protest at the Port of Newcastle earlier this year

NSW Police arrest an activist after he allegedly scaled the support structure of the pedestrian bridge at the bottom of Market Street at Darling Harbour at a protest in May