[1/2] Greenpeace activists cling a banner to protest Deutsche Financial institution and DWS funding insurance policies on Deutsche Financial institution’s headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, June 14, 2023. REUTERS/Tom Sims
FRANKFURT, June 14 (Reuters) – Greenpeace activists scaled Deutsche Financial institution’s (DBKGn.DE) headquarters in Frankfurt on Wednesday and strung up a big yellow banner to protest in opposition to the local weather funding insurance policies of the German lender and its asset administration firm DWS.
The motion got here a day forward of the annual shareholder assembly of DWS (DWSG.DE), which is generally owned by Deutsche Financial institution and has drawn consideration from activists and regulators over allegations that it misled buyers about “inexperienced” investments. DWS has disputed the allegations.
Deutsche Financial institution stated that sustainability and local weather safety had been “strategic priorities”, and that it helps DWS within the growth of its sustainability insurance policies and requirements.
The German-language Greenpeace banner was unfurled shortly after 6 a.m. CEST (0400 GMT) and stretched throughout a part of the glass facade on the decrease part of Deutsche Financial institution’s twin workplace towers. The banner translated as “Pressure DWS, shield the local weather”.
The occasion drew a half dozen police autos, however an officer stated there can be no arrests.
Final 12 months, the chief govt of DWS stepped down after raids by prosecutors over the allegations of so-called “greenwashing”.
The brand new CEO, Stefan Hoops, plans to inform shareholders at Thursday’s assembly that DWS has been cooperating with investigations, in keeping with a transcript of ready remarks on its web site. The corporate additionally continues to face by its monetary disclosures and its fund prospectuses, Hoops will add.
Mauricio Vargas, a Greenpeace finance professional who was standing exterior Deutsche Financial institution’s headquarters, stated: “DWS’s scandal is Deutsche Financial institution’s scandal.” He plans to deal with shareholders on Thursday.
DWS stated in an announcement that it agreed with Greenpeace that local weather change requires decisive motion however disagreed on “the best way to get there”. It stated it had just lately adopted new insurance policies on coping with coal firms.
Reporting by Tom Sims, Enhancing by Rachel Extra and Jamie Freed and Sharon Singleton
: .
