Banks continue to fund fossil fuel projects
Despite net zero by 2050 commitments, NAB, ANZ, and Westpac have joined 18 global banks in lending US$3.49 billion ($4.85 billion) to a fossil fuel project, according to Market Forces.
The advocacy group said the banks lent to infrastructure fund manager Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) for its purchase of a 49% stake in the Pluto LNG Train 2 gas processing facility. It said this project was equivalent to 15 coal power stations running for three decades.
Market Forces campaigner, Jack Bertolus, said: “The International Energy Agency (IEA) has made it clear there is no room for new fossil fuel supply projects if we are to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
“Yet, despite a clear commitment to net zero, NAB has just led a global banking consortium to enable a 1.6 billion tonne carbon bomb, with ANZ and Westpac as part of the deal.
“The immensity of the fossil fuel project is matched only by the banks’ willingness to repeatedly con their customers and their investors, who are all demanding action on the climate crisis. In reality, their money is being used to fund a project enabling emissions equivalent to running 15 coal plants for three decades.”
Market Forces said NAB led the deal arrangement months after it released an updated oil and gas policy that had been criticized as a greenwashing exercise.
Recommended for you
Natixis Investment Managers has hired a distribution director to specifically focus on the firm’s work with research firms and consultants.
The use of total portfolio approaches by asset allocators is putting pressure on fund managers with outperformance being “no longer sufficient” when it comes to fund development.
With evergreen funds being used by financial advisers for their liquidity benefits, Harbourvest is forecasting they are set to grow by around 20 per cent a year to surpass US$1 trillion by 2029.
Total monthly ETF inflows declined by 28 per cent from highs in November with Vanguard’s $21bn Australian Shares ETF faring worst in outflows.
