Fri, Apr 26th 2024
Climate activists intensify their protests at key Swiss events, targeting the National Bank’s investments and Holcim’s environmental practices.
This week, Switzerland witnessed heightened climate activism, with protesters targeting both the Swiss National Bank’s (SNB) shareholders meeting and Holcim’s planned open day.
About 50 activists converged on the SNB meeting in Bern, advocating for a shift in investment policies away from fossil fuels and fracking claims reports from Reuters.
The protester voiced their demands for more environmentally friendly monetary policies.
Asti Roesle, director of Swiss Climate Alliance, emphasised the influential role SNB plays given its substantial investment portfolio, including stakes in major oil companies like Chevron, Shell, and Exxon Mobil.
Activists claim despite the SNB’s control over investments worth 700 billion Swiss francs, it has resisted using its financial influence to press for environmental reforms.
Holcim also faced backlash for its environmental impact, leading to the cancellation of an open day at its Eclépens cement plant due to threats from radical activists.
This event was intended to showcase Holcim’s advancements towards more sustainable cement production, including a new kiln that operates without fossil fuels. The Swiss cement industry aims for climate-neutral production by 2050.
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