Make Your Money Count for the Climate

 

Where we choose to bank can have a much greater climate impact than many of our daily actions. Money isn’t just sitting in our accounts – it’s being invested in projects that could either benefit or harm the environment.

 

To ensure your bank aligns with your values, check its sustainable and ethical credentials at Bank Green and make sure your savings are working for you, the climate and the planet.

 

Our pensions also have the potential to drive change, good or bad, depending what they are invested in. The Finance Innovation Lab, founded in 2009 by the WWF and Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, considers the impact of fair and green banking and pensions in the UK, starting with a single compelling question: “What would a financial system look like that served people and planet?”

 

The Make My Money Matter campaign advocated for green pensions and green banking; you can watch the campaign’s powerful videos starring Olivia Coleman and Benedict Cumberbatch on the website: Make my Money Matter.

 

Investing in a Greener Future

 

If you’re looking to invest, consider community share offers from Community Energy England, where your money could have a bigger impact on decarbonisation than even installing solar panels at home. Local renewable energy projects also  issue share offers to raise funds for their projects, from their own area and beyond – such as, Derbyshire Community Renewables and Nottinghamshire Community Renewables.

 

The Global Impact of Climate Finance

 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states that to avoid the worst impacts of climate change we must stop global temperatures rising higher than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. This requires a rapid shift in global finance – moving funds away from fossil fuels and into emissions-cutting solutions. Unfortunately, this transition isn’t happening fast enough so anything we can do collectively to encourage the switch will be valuable. Learn more here.