Update 9 November 2021
47,000 SumOfUs members demanded The Bank of New York Mellon stop providing financial services for Adani’s polluting coal project in Australia – and CEO Tod Gibbons has confirmed the bank will do exactly that!
BNY Mellon is the 104th organisation to officially distance itself from working with or funding Adani because of people like you raising your voice and standing in solidarity with communities like the Wangan and Jagalingou Cultural Custodians who do not give consent for Adani to build its mine on their land.
Can you share this incredible news on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn to celebrate this people powered victory?
Adani has been desperately trying to make the Carmichael coal mine operational for years and is hoping to send its first coal train to the port near the Great Barrier Reef very soon. So another bank cutting ties right now is a big blow, not only to the coal project itself, but also to how other banks and investors now see Adani.
Every company we convince to rule out working with Adani makes it look like a riskier project for anyone else to get involved with.
This wouldn’t have happened without our allies and thousands of SumOfUs members signing the petition, making hundreds of calls to BNY Mellon offices around the world and calling out the bank on social media.
The fight to stop Adani’s coal mine from becoming operational and sending coal laden ships straight through the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef is ongoing, but let’s celebrate this victory and use it to shine a light on how many companies no longer want anything to do with Adani!
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The Bank of New York Mellon’s secret financial deal to bailout Adani’s Great Barrier Reef wrecking coal project is still on the table -- which means there’s still time for you to stop it.
Now’s the time to ramp up the pressure, call the bank and say why providing financial services for Adani’s disastrous coal project is a terrible idea.
No matter where you are in the world, we’ve made it easy (and free!) for you to call and deliver your message to the BNY Mellon.
1. Select which country you're calling from
2. Enter your phone number and click "call me"
3. Our calling tool will give you a ring, talk you through step-by-step instructions and then connect you to the bank
Scroll down to find some handy talking points (they'll also be available on the next page – after you've clicked "call me"). You got this!
If you're calling from the US, we'll connect you to the CEO Tod Gibbons. If you're calling from the UK, we'll connect you to Sorrel Beynon (BNYM Media Relations). If you're calling from Australia we'll connect you to the Australian Office. The best times to call are your local time between 9.00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Here is an example of how a conversation could start (or you can just wing it!):
Hello, I’m [your name], from [town/city/country], and I'm calling to ask the Bank of New York Mellon to stop providing financial services for Adani's disastrous coal project in Australia.
We know the bank already has financial ties to the Adani Group. The bank is the security trustee for debt related to Adani's Carmichael coal project.
I care about this because...
- The Traditional Owners of the land Adani wants to mine, the Wangan and Jagalingou people, do not give their consent. The mine is threatening one of the biggest collections of culturally significant artefacts, as well as the sacred Doongmabulla Springs.
- Adani plan on shipping the coal out via the Great Barrier Reef. Coal ships navigating through the world's most extensive coral reef ecosystem is risky, and the Adani Group is already responsible for a coal ship sinking off the coast of Mumbai that devastated marine life.
- Climate action must ramp up this decade in order to prevent the catastrophic impacts of climate change. That means no new fossil fuel projects like Adani's coal mine (which would be one of the biggest in the world!)
Thank you for your time.
Tips:
- Be friendly and polite - the person picking up the phone will find it hard to ignore you if you are polite.
- Don’t feel like you have to answer any specific questions if you don’t feel comfortable.
FAQs
What if they ask who asked me to call?
Tell the person that you’re a member of a global organization called SumOfUs, which runs campaigns to keep corporations like banks accountable. Tell them you’re calling as someone who is concerned about Adani's plans to open up one of the biggest new coal mines in the world.
Do I have to be an expert to call BNY Mellon and express my concerns?
No! BNY Mellon care about their reputation and what members of the public think so you don't have to be an expert to let them know you're concerned.
What if the person asks me a question I can’t answer?
It’s ok to say you don’t know. Or you might want to say that you will research the answer and contact them back with more information.
What if I’m not connected?
The line may be busy - sorry about that. Please leave a message or try calling again during office hours.
More information