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UBS bank occupation in Lausanne, Switzerland - decision

Filing Year For Action

In January 2020, about 30 persons demonstrated before and inside the premises of an UBS branch in Lausanne. Among them, 22 activists stained the floor of the bank lobby with coal to protest against the bank’s fossil investments. After the intervention by the police, 22 activists received a penal order from the public ministry for damage to property (Art. 144 Swiss Criminal Code, CC), trespassing (Art. 186 CC) and various contraventions of the police regulations (41 RGP, unauthorized demonstration; 26 RGP disruption of public order). UBS joined the charges as the affected party. 7 of the activists opposed their penal order. After dismissing the validity of the complaint filed by UBS on procedural grounds, the judge of the regional court of first instance dropped the charge of trespassing and acquitted the activists of damage to property, charging them with a symbolic fine of 100 CHF for taking part in an unauthorized demonstration in January 2022 (in contravention of the police regulations). 

On the prosecutor’s and defendants’ appeal, the cantonal court of second instance confirmed the verdict of the first instance in November 2022, thereby refusing to acquit the activists on the grounds of article 11 CEDH (freedom of expression). Since the prosecutor appealed this decision, the proceeding is currently pending before the Federal Court (as of July 9, 2024).

UBS bank occupation in Lausanne, Switzerland

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

Coal is a combustible sedimentary rock formed from carbonised plant matter, rich in carbon and hydrocarbons, and occurring in several main types including hard coal and brown coal.

woman and genders outside of the gender binary

Either money or something of monetary value is transferred between two or more organisations, people or countries.

This sector includes firms and individuals offering specialised expertise in fields such as law, accounting, consulting, science and engineering.

This sector involves activities to move goods and people, alongside the storage of products.

People who are less able to respond to the effects of climate change due to having limited financial or physical assets

Activities of businesses and institutions that provide financial services and products to individuals and organisations.

UBS bank occupation in Lausanne, Switzerland - decision

Impacted group

Fossil fuel

Economic sector

Finance