Earlier in the year, ARRCC composed a letter to Westpac (as parent company of St George bank where ARRCC holds an account), asking Westpac to clarify its position regarding the financing of future coal-fired power stations. The letter was written in support of Greenpeace's campaign to get the big four Australian banks to stop financing new coal power stations. We received a response from Westpac, however, while we appreciate them writing back to us, we don't believe they have adequately answered out question – so look out for our next letter to them coming soon.

ARRCC invites our supporters to read Greenpeace's take on the issue and to consider writing to your bank in line with Greenpeace's campaign. We encourage you to write respectively and collaboratively. If you are a part of a religious group that banks with ANZ, Westpac, NAB or the Commonwealth bank, why not encourage your group to do likewise?

One religious group that has decided to use its consumer clout to act decisively on the issue of fossil fuels financing is the Uniting Church Synod of NSW/ACT.

At its most recent gathering in Newcastle in late September, the Synod resolved to write to Westpac and ANZ (of which the Synod is a major customer), asking the banks to commit to ceasing their financing of the building of new coal fired power stations in Australia and introduce transition strategies to clean energy.  If the banks are not willing to make this commitment, the Synod resolved to request the church's financial arm to consider this in their ongoing review of banking services contracts, and to request the Ethical Investment Monitoring Committee of the Synod to consider adding these banks to their investment blacklist. The proposal was the initiative of the Social Justice Committee of the Hunter Presbytery of the Uniting Church.  It was adopted unanimously and with acclamation.

Convenor of the committee, Helen Weavers, said "The question of new coal fired power stations is particularly relevant to congregations in the Hunter Valley as whole communities are being devastated by open cut coal mining activities.  As guardians of creation I believe the issue is pertinent as communities grapple with increases in air-borne pollution, which may increase with further exploration licenses granted."

Congratulations to the Uniting Church for taking this step, and we look forward to hearing about their further progress!

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