Our work to expose the role of Turkish banks and corporations in fueling the climate crisis has led to major results, creating a ripple effect across the finance sector in the country.
In January 2024, we released two key reports exposing the lack of climate action policies by prominent Turkish companies and banks. The reports were published by Anadolu Agency, Türkiye’s official and largest news agency, and got a lot of media attention.
After the reports came out, Şekerbank – one of Türkiye’s top ten private banks – announced it would stop funding coal projects. Three other banks also reached out to us to talk about improving their climate policies.
Since we started our climate finance campaign in Türkiye in 2022, 11 banks have already promised not to support any new fossil fuel projects, and six banks have said they will fully stop investing in coal. This means more money can now go toward clean and accessible renewable energy that helps local communities!
To support a future powered by clean, local energy, we stepped up our work with cities in Türkiye, helping them make a shift to renewable energy.
After the local elections in March 2024, we launched a guide called “The Role of Municipalities in Energy Transition: 6 Benefits, 6 Steps“. In it, we called on local leaders to commit to climate action plans in their political agendas.
Developed in partnership with Beyond Fossil Fuels, KentLab, MAD, Ekosfer, Yuva, and WWF Türkiye, the guide shows how switching to clean energy can improve people’s lives. It also gives city leaders six quick and practical steps to help change their cities’ power sector.
This is just the start of our campaign to get 30 major cities in Türkiye to transition to renewable energy.
In June 2024, we launched our Flip the Switch campaign to put pressure on the Asian Development Bank (ADB) – the biggest climate finance group in the Asia-Pacific region – to stop funding dangerous energy projects and support renewable energy initiatives instead.
Historically, ADB has funded harmful projects while greenwashing them to look environment friendly. But during the Asia Clean Energy Forum in May 2024, we made our voices heard: we held powerful protests online and in person, outside ADB offices and project sites from Bangladesh to Japan. Our message was clear: clean energy means no more money for destructive projects!
We’ll keep pushing until development banks like ADB only fund energy projects that respect human rights, are transparent, support local communities, and use safe, proven renewable energy solutions.
In Japan, we’re working hard to keep coal in the ground and make way for clean, accessible renewables. In Nagasaki, the GENESIS Matsushima project planned to bring an old coal-fired power plant back to operation. Projects like this expand the life of dirty, outdated energy and harm local communities. Since the government supported this project, we knew we had to take action to stop it!
Our team and the local group 350 NewENEration ran a creative campaign against J-Power, the company behind the power plant. In October 2023, we held a Halloween-themed protest with Kiko Network and 350 community members. People dressed up as zombies marched to J-Power’s headquarters to show that old coal shouldn’t be brought back to life. The very next day, J-Power announced big changes: they shut down Unit 1, paused Unit 2, and delayed the GENESIS Matsushima project by two years!
We followed up this massive win by speaking out at J-Power’s annual meeting in June 2024, and made sure shareholders heard how harmful the project would be for local people.
In Indonesia, we are supporting community-based renewable energy by highlighting the potential and challenges of the energy transition. Our work is focused on three key areas: Java, Bali, and Sumba. Java produces over 60% of the country’s electricity. Sumba struggles with the challenges caused by lack of access to clean, affordable energy. While Bali, in contrast, has strong local clean energy rules and is set for a rapid transition.
In April 2024, we launched a documentary called AdventuRE. It shows the potential for renewable energy in the country, and the challenges faced by local renewable energy projects. Now, we are encouraging communities to hold screenings to inspire local renewable energy campaigns.
Through compelling visual storytelling, we’re raising public awareness, urging policymakers to take action, and supporting local communities to lead the way.