Tell ANZ to take deforestation seriously

Australia is a global deforestation hotspot with the highest rate of forest clearing in the developed world. This clearing is pushing more and more Australian species to the brink of extinction. Despite this, all of Australia’s big banks are continuing to loan to companies actively bulldozing the bush. Our recent investigations analysed one hundred cases of deforestation across the country and found that deforestation of roughly 24,320 hectares of land occurred on properties linked to major banks through mortgages.

It doesn’t have to be this way. The banks have a powerful role to play in the deforestation crisis: they can either continue to facilitate nature destruction by lending to certain activities and sectors, or they can drive change by setting strict conditions on lending to those that damage and destroy nature.

We’re actively pushing for progress in the banking sector on the issue of deforestation. ACF, SIX and a group of over a hundred ANZ shareholders recently filed Australia’s first ever nature-related shareholder resolutions for banks. At the ANZ Annual General Meeting in December 2025, we received an epic show of support with 22.7% of shareholders, representing $13.5 billion of shares, voting in favour of our resolution breaking the previous global record of 18% support for a deforestation-related resolution. 

For the first time, Australian banks are facing pressure from their own shareholders to stop financing the bulldozing of our forests.

We’re asking for ANZ to disclose their exposure to deforestation and to adopt strong no-deforestation policies in line with global standards.  

Can you add your voice to the calls for ANZ to face up to their responsibility to protect what’s left of our precious nature?

You don’t have to be an ANZ customer or shareholder to reach out to them about this issue. After all, the protection of our beautiful natural world is everyone’s business! However, if you are, feel free to let them know by introducing yourself as a customer or shareholder in the email template.  

By taking action together, we can shift corporate Australia one step closer to a future free of deforestation.

Thank you for helping us keep the major banks accountable!