As we bid farewell to 2023, let's take a moment to celebrate the incredible strides made by people-powered movements. This year has been a testament to the strength and resilience of our communities across Australia as we came together, built bonds, and took impactful actions to create positive change.
Let's take a moment to celebrate the best moments from 2023 and draw inspiration for the exciting journey that lies ahead in 2024.
We stopped $1 billion going to Whitehaven Coal- Australia’s biggest coal only company!
This powerful movement stopped NAB and 11 other banks from refinancing a $1 billion loan to Whitehaven Coal. What should have been a simple refinancing for Whitehaven Coal was stopped due to the relentless pressure of a grassroots movement that led hundreds of actions across the country targeting NAB, and spoke to thousands of staff. Behind-the-scenes work from our partners helped push the 11 other banks to not be involved, causing the deal to collapse.
Since this win, NAB has signalled that they plan not to lend to any company whose primary activity is mining thermal coal. This is a massive blow to the thermal coal sector and a testament to the huge people-powered movement that has been pushing NAB to end funding for Whitehaven Coal and thermal coal in order to protect lives, livelihoods and our climate.
Waddananggu Bularu: Two year anniversary
Dozens of people from the Move Beyond Coal and #StopAdani movements participated in the Wangan and Jagalingou Cultural Custodian’s Waddananggu Bularu (2 year) celebrations in August: which saw 120 people visit Waddananggu - a sacred fire and cultural ceremony on the northern side of Adani’s central QLD coal mining lease.
Folks learnt about the Galilee Basin fight and the cultural occupation, as well as the ongoing impacts of Adani’s mine to culture, Country and the environment.
Times Up Labor - Collaborative action outside Australian Labor conference
BEST MOMENTS OF 2023: Move Beyond Coal, Getup, Tomorrow Movement, 350, Seed Mob and Queensland Conservation Council mobilised a huge crowd outside the Australian Labor conference in Meanjin/Brisbane on day one of the Labor party’s national conference to say Time’s up Labor - Protect Country and our climate now!
Move Beyond Coal and folks from across the climate movement turned up to demand that the Albanese government:
👉Rule out new coal and gas projects and end fossil fuel subsidies
👉Deliver a historic investment in renewable energy and climate solutions
👉Urgently fix our Cultural Heritage and Environmental Protection laws
350+ people donated to launch a billboard outside Tanya Plibersek’s office calling out her approval of new coal and gas projects
Alongside 350.org, Move Beyond Coal sent a message to Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek - by unveiling a cheeky billboard in front of her Sydney office that said “What the heck Plibersek? We voted for climate action, not new coal and gas!’
By approving four new coal mines this year, and 9 gas projects, Plibersek has repeatedly failed to safeguard the environment she has sworn to protect.
In December, we called out the Federal Labor Government’s failings on climate leadership during the COP28 global climate talks, with nearly 50 actions nationwide engaging hundreds of people.
Our wins are a testament to the power of community, the strength of our convictions, and the positive change that can be achieved when people come together. Let's carry this momentum into 2024 with renewed vigor, a commitment to collaboration, and a vision for a world where coal is a relic of the past. Together, we can build a just and sustainable future for generations to come.
Join us in 2024!
