The SNB & Holcim Targeted By Climate Protestors

The SNB & Holcim Targeted By Climate Protestors

Fri, Apr 26th 2024

Climate activists intensify their protests at key Swiss events, targeting the National Bank’s investments and Holcim’s environmental practices.

KEYSTONE/Jean-Christophe Bott

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.

©Keystone/SDA

Related Stories

Swiss Inflation Rises in April
Thumbnail

Swiss inflation reaches 1.4% in April, up from 1.0% in March, catching economists off-guard and signaling higher...

Vaudoise Acquires Prevanto: Pension Fund
Thumbnail

Vaudoise Group acquires Prevanto, affirming its top position in pension fund consulting....

Record Number of Organ Donations and Transplants in Switzerland
Thumbnail

Switzerland recorded the highest number of organ donations from deceased individuals and transplants....

Death of Ski Tourer on Piz Platta Following Snow Cornice Collapse
Thumbnail

A 61-year-old Swiss ski tourer falls 250 meters to his death on Piz Platta after a snow cornice breaks....

New Training Access for Rejected Asylum Seekers
Thumbnail

Starting June 1, rejected asylum seekers and undocumented migrants in Switzerland need only two years of compulsory...

Zurich Flixbus Crash: Driver In Court, Facing Manslaughter
Thumbnail

Following a tragic 2018 bus accident on Zurich's Sihlhochstrasse, an Italian driver faces charges of involuntary...

Swiss FDI Spikes: As Foreign Investment Slows In Germany
Thumbnail

Amid a general decline in European foreign investments, Switzerland excels with over 50% increase in projects and a...

Stay in Touch

Noteworthy

the swiss times
A production of UltraSwiss AG, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
Copyright © 2024 UltraSwiss AG 2024 All rights reserved