A flock of black crows descended on Falmouth this morning before laying down ‘dead’ in three of the town’s banks.
It was the latest demonstration by members of climate activist group Extinction Rebellion, who were protesting against the investment by banks into fossil fuels.
They were joined by other members chanting and singing through the streets.
Three banks in the town centre were targeted by the protestors: HSBC, Santander and Barclays.
The protestors lay down 'dead' in the banks (above and below). Photos: Will Dax
Appealing beforehand for members to get involved, the group said: “Join the chorus to herald a new dawn in banking. Where fossil fuels are a thing of the past.
“Let’s fill the banks of Falmouth with flocks of birds to ask them to divest fossil fuels.
“Continued Investment of the public’s money by banks in the fossil fuel industry is impacting air quality throughout the globe, and hastening our descent into climate catastrophe.
One protestor dressed as a seagull. Photo: Will Dax
“Many native species of bird continue to be impacted by this devastation.
“Birds that were once common are now rare, some extinct. Their songs lost forever.
“Dress in a bird costume, wear a mask and download your favourite bird song to play in the chorus.”
The birds were joined by other Extinction Rebellion members chanting and singing. Photo: Will Dax
The group held mask making and block printing workshops before the action, to prepare costumes.
The Packet has contacted the press offices of all three banks for a response.
An HSBC UK spokesperson said: "Regarding the question around investing in fossil fuels, HSBC is committed to help our customers make the transition to a low-carbon economy in a responsible and sustainable way.
"HSBC has stopped financing new coal-fired power in all countries around the world apart from Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam, where a targeted and time-limited exception applies until 2023, in order to appropriately balance local humanitarian needs with the need to transition to a low-carbon economy, but only if independent analysis confirms that there is no reasonable alternative to coal and any new plant complies with the highest efficiency standards.
"Since then we have not agreed any project financing for any new coal-fired power plants anywhere.
"If you would like to find out more about our approach to climate change, we have published our Environmental, Social and Governance report."
The protest took place in three Falmouth banks. Photo: Will Dax
A spokesperson for Santander said: “We are sorry for the disruption to customers caused by protest action at our Falmouth branch.
"As a bank, we recognise the impact that fossil fuel investment has on climate change, and we are firmly committed to supporting a transition to a low carbon economy.
"We believe that all banks – including Santander – have a role to play in helping to tackle climate change. As such, we do not provide financial products and/or services to new coal-fired power plants worldwide or new clients with coal-fired power plants worldwide among other commitments in our global financing policies.
"Santander also continues to fund large-scale investment in the renewable energy sector as part of our ambition to be a leader in green finance, with a commitment globally to raise over EUR 120 billion by 2025.”
A Barclays spokesperson said: “We recognise that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today, and are determined to do all we can to support the transition to a low carbon economy, while also ensuring that global energy needs continue to be met.”
She added that Barclays was a "major supporter of green finance," introducing the UK's first 'green mortgage' in 2018 giving homebuyers a discount for choosing an eco-friendly home, and the Green Agriculture product lend millions to farmers to buy new environmentally friendly plant and equipment.
It came just over a week after Falmouth and Penryn Churches Together’s Justice and Peace Group took their concerns to Falmouth’s HSBC branch, as part of a national action by Christian Aid.
They delivered a letter to staff to forward to HSBC CEO, Noel Quinn, urging the bank to phase out financing fossil fuels all together and to invest in clean energy, helping protect the world and its people.
At the time an HSBC UK spokesman said the bank was committed to helping customers make the transition to a low-carbon economy in a responsible and sustainable way, with the company recently publishing a new environmental, social and governance report that set out its approach to climate change and many other things.
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