Some people refuse to believe that banks are cleaning up their investment policies.
Keystone
More than 100 environmental protesters have staged demonstrations outside the offices of Switzerland’s two biggest banks, UBS and Credit Suisse, in Zurich and Basel. In Zurich, police arrested a dozen protesters, who were later released.
The environmental activists blocked the entrance to both the Credit Suisse and UBS buildings, shouting slogans such as: “Agriculture instead of a market economy”, “Compost Capitalism” and “Fossil Banks too big to stay”.
They appear to have been protesting against perceived investments both banks make in environmentally damaging companies or projects. Both banks say they have taken measures to introduce a more environmentally sustainable business model, but not everyone agrees that they are doing enough.
Zurich police said they temporarily arrested a dozen protesters after the group of around 70 failed to comply with a deadline to break up the demonstration. In Basel, there were no reported arrests as the demonstration, involving around 50 people, broke up peacefully.
In the meantime, a people’s initiative to hold Swiss companies legally responsible for their business activities abroad – including their environmental impact – looks set to go to a public vote with parliament failing to agree on a counterproposal.
More
More
Banks accused of massive fossil fuel investments
This content was published on
In the past three years, UBS and Credit Suisse contributed $83 billion to a $1.9 trillion flow of fossil fuel company funding, say NGOs.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025
This content was published on
A man flew a drone around the venue on Wednesday evening during the first match of the Women's EURO 2025 in St. Gallen. The 30-year-old violated the absolute ban on flying during match days. He was reported to the police.
More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative
This content was published on
A total of 257 companies from Switzerland have signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). In doing so, they are committing to CO2 reduction targets that are compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Swiss accident prevention group sees federal targets at risk
This content was published on
The Swiss government's target for accident figures is at risk, reckons Mario Cavegn, member of the executive board of the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention.
Feminicide: Swiss justice minister calls for electronic monitoring
This content was published on
Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans has called for electronic monitoring and an ankle bracelet warning system for perpetrators of violence against women.
This content was published on
American artist Chaka Khan ‘and friends’ opened the 59th Montreux Jazz Festival on Friday. For over three hours, their show, dedicated to their friend and mentor Quincy Jones, thrilled the audience,
Governments won’t fund sustainable development. Will private finance step in?
This content was published on
Just over three years ago, the UN launched its Sustainable Development Goals to address issues such as poverty, hunger and climate change by 2030.
This content was published on
In the past three years, UBS and Credit Suisse contributed $83 billion to a $1.9 trillion flow of fossil fuel company funding, say NGOs.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.