Bass Coast CAN media release
During the first week of COP 27 in Cairo, School Strike for Climate and Bass Coast Climate Action Network with Move Beyond Coal took part in a week of action – one of 50 events across Australia – calling on NAB to end their relationship with coal expansionists Whitehaven coal. School students and locals gathered outside NAB’s Cowes and Wonthaggi branches to talk to NAB staff and customers about the campaign and call on NAB’s CEO Ross McEwan to publicly rule out finance for coal, starting with Whitehaven coal.
Joey Thompson, from School Strike for Climate said: “It seems dishonest that NAB claims to be aligned with Paris targets but continues to lend to companies like Whitehaven Coal that are planning to DOUBLE their coal production by 2030. Keeping below 1.5 degrees warming means ending all new coal immediately. If NAB is serious about their climate commitments, they must end this toxic relationship now.”
“We’re calling on Ross McEwan, NAB’s CEO, to rule out funding for companies like Whitehaven that have no transition plan and no climate policy. If financed, the Whitehaven coal expansion will lead to climate catastrophe.”
Jessica Harrison from Bass Coast Climate Action Network said “This week, as the world gathers at COP 27 in Cairo, it is even more urgent that companies like NAB are held accountable for their greenwash. You can’t fund coal expansion plans through companies like Whitehaven coal, via corporate finance loopholes and say you’re meeting Paris targets. It simply isn’t possible.”
“Ross McEwan, NAB’s CEO can either rule out further funding from NAB to Whitehaven coal or face a determined community movement that will not stop until he does.”
Contact: Joey Thompson School Strike for Climate 0468416845
Contact: Jessica Harrison Bass Coast Climate Action Network 0438174029