ABOUT BREAKFREE
ABOUT BREAKFREE
WHO'S BREAKFREE
Since 2016, BreakFree has been advocating for social and climate justice by putting pressure on the financial sector, which impacts the climate, the common good, and people’s rights.
In our early years, we focused on civil disobedience. Now, we prioritize amplifying the voices of those most affected in Switzerland and Europe. We organize tours with representatives of communities impacted by fossil projects funded by Swiss financial institutions. Learn more about our international coalition work on this page. Collaboration with other climate movement organizations also remains central to our efforts.
IMPRESSIONS OF OUR WORK
OUR KEY DEMANDS ARE
- Stop all financial support for fossil fuels and ban funding new gas, oil, or coal projects.
- Require financial institutions to take responsibility for the risks of investing in fossil fuel companies.
- Ensure communities affected by fossil fuel projects have the right to say no and are fully informed before consenting.
- Hold financial institutions accountable for the damage they cause to communities, land, and ecosystems, based on their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss.
WHO ARE WE CHALLENGING?
COALITIONS
Global Coalition of Peoples Facing Extractivism
The Global Coalition of Peoples Facing Extractivism (GCPE) unites Indigenous movements, civil society groups, and activists from over 30 countries to fight extractivism and push for systemic financial reform. In June 2023, it launched the Basel Manifesto, calling for finance to align with climate justice. GCPE amplifies frontline communities’ voices in global forums like COP and the G20. Through advocacy and direct action, it challenges destructive industries and promotes a just transition to sustainable economies.
Stop Corporate Impunity
The Stop Corporate Impunity campaign works to hold transnational corporations accountable for human rights abuses and environmental destruction. It advocates for binding legal frameworks to ensure corporations face justice for their actions, particularly in relation to labor rights, land, and ecosystem violations. The campaign seeks international regulatory reforms to dismantle corporate power and ensure that affected communities have access to justice. It emphasizes global solidarity through grassroots mobilization and international actions.
Stop EACOP
The StopEACOP coalition, comprising over 260 civil society organizations, seeks to halt the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). This 1,445 km project by Total and CNOOC threatens communities, ecosystems, and the climate. Through advocacy, legal action, and financial pressure, StopEACOP has pushed banks and insurers to withdraw support. The coalition promotes sustainable alternatives that prioritize East African communities and the environment.
ProtectVIP
The Protect Verde Island Passage coalition works to protect the Verde Island Passage (VIP) in the Philippines, one of the world’s most biodiverse marine areas. It unites communities, fisherfolk, and environmental advocates against fossil fuel expansion and environmental destruction. In response to a major 2023 oil spill, Protect VIP intensified its campaigns, including opposition to Shell’s LNG projects. Through advocacy, direct action, and public education, the coalition fights to preserve marine biodiversity and local livelihoods.
Public Events & Workshops
Knowledge is the basement of our campaigns and we want to share this knowledge. That’s why we organize public events and workshops about the net of Glencore, the Swiss financial market or many other topics. You are organizing an event or know a moment where we can provide one of our workshops? Please contact us.
Public Events & Workshops
Knowledge is the basement of our campaigns and we want to share this knowledge. That’s why we organize public events and workshops about the net of Glencore, the Swiss financial market or many other topics. You are organizing an event or know a moment where we can provide one of our workshops? Please contact us.