Greenpeace member Natalie Joyce and other volunteers collected signatures for a petition against the Commonwealth Bank.
Camera IconGreenpeace member Natalie Joyce and other volunteers collected signatures for a petition against the Commonwealth Bank. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey d469896

Environmental activists campaign against bank’s fossil fuel involvement outside Joondalup Commonwealth Bank branch

Laura PondJoondalup Times

Twelve volunteers spent the morning outside Commonwealth Bank in the Joondalup CBD collecting signatures for a petition urging the bank to stop lending funds to coal projects and to support the renewable energy industry instead.

Connolly resident Natalie Joyce organised the event on behalf of Greenpeace and said they collected 71 signatures.

This is the video channel for our website at www.communitynews.com.au and is managed by the Community Newspaper Group in Perth, Western Australia.
PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“If we’re to have any chance of stopping the worst effects of global warming, banks like CommBank have to stop financing fossil fuels,” she said.

“I am putting CommBank on notice. Either the bank changes its investment policy or I will pull my hard-earned savings out and switch to a more ethical bank.”

A spokesman for the bank said it believed people had the right to express their views peacefully and in compliance with the law.

“As a major bank we support nearly every sector in the economy,” he said. “Strict environmental, social and governance standards are incorporated into our business- lending decisions and we will only fund projects that meet these standards.”

MORE: Pharmacy giant Sigma Healthcare to build $60m centre in Perth

MORE: Ellenbrook parents join drive to raise funds for Lifeline WA after loss of own son

MORE: tattoos help hide scars of self-harm