Environmental activist Greta Thunberg slammed Roger Federer last week for his involvement with Credit Suisse. The 20-time Grand Slam winner then released a statement calling for “innovative solutions”.
And Credit Suisse have responded this morning by publishing a fact sheet as they look to dispel “false information”.
Federer has been sponsored by the Swiss bank for many years but his role came under fire from Thunberg.
The 19-year-old is unhappy with Credit Suisse’s fossil fuel investments and she called for Federer to take action.
Credit Suisse released a statement this morning which read: “Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges our planet is facing.
“Credit Suisse is committed to playing a critical role in the fight against this issue.
“As we foster a transparent dialogue with all our stakeholders, and in order to address the climate change challenge directly with our communities, the bank published today a fact sheet, summarising the most important facts regarding Credit Suisse and climate change. Read more about it in our fact sheet.”
In the fact sheet, Credit Suisse lay out several points in which they try to prove they are taking environmentally responsible steps.
Federer intensified the scrutiny when he released a statement of his own.
“I take the effects and threats of climate change very seriously, especially since my family and I arrive in Australia amid the destruction caused by the bush fires,” the statement read.
“As the father of four children and a passionate advocate of universal education, I have great respect and admiration for the youth climate movement.
“I am grateful to the young climate activists for forcing us all to review our behaviour and look for innovative solutions.
“We owe it to them and ourselves to listen.”
Thunberg brought Credit Suisse’s business into the spotlight when she retweeted a post claiming the bank had given $57billion to companies looking for new fossil fuel deposits with the question “Roger Federer do you endorse this?”
Meanwhile, Federer arrived in Melbourne over the weekend ahead of the Australian Open, which gets underway next week.
“I’m super happy to be back in Melbourne,” Federer said.
“I wanted to arrive very early, for the children but also for the preparation. I love being here of course.
“We wait for that nice first hit on Rod Laver Arena. I have been feeling good, practising well everything is great and I can’t wait for it to start and to find out what the draw is later in the week.”