Anyone with any sort of bank account, whether it's a regular current account, savings account, or pension, almost certainly has invested in fossil fuels without knowing about it. Most of the worlds major banks are pouring $1.9 trillion into fossil fuels in 2019 alone, and with many of those companies now getting bailouts with taxpayer money, you're funding fossil fuels twice.
I'd rather take the money out of the hands of bankers who keep making terrible choices, and give it to those betting on solutions to the climate crisis. This is no longer a radical position, with major asset managers like BlackRock and Axa SA choosing to divest from fossil fuels.
BlackRock’s strategic shift is also driven by self-interest. That’s encouraging, as such initiatives tend to outlast moral outrage. Heat from activists, like the BlackRock’s Big Problem campaign, helped, but Fink argues he is making sustainability the new standard because it makes financial sense. The surge of inflows into the firm’s environmentally friendly funds last week will encourage that view. -- Bloomberg.com
This is not even for altruistic reasons, they see it as a sound financial choice. It's a sound choice for them and a sound choice for us, as smaller "investors".
It’s a common misconception that investors have to give up financial returns to make a positive impact. A benchmark study published by Cambridge Associates found that impact investing can capitalise on long-term social or environmental trends to compete with, and at times outperform, traditional asset class strategies. -- EQ Investors
Whilst some asset managers are covering their revenue, others like Chris Hohn are using their capital to bully companies into going green! Most of us don't have $30 billion to throw around, but we can still divest from banks, tell them why we're leaving, and choose to bank with ethnical banks instead. Protests and boycott's like this are how personal action becomes collective action. When enough people demand change that it creates profitable trends, they've got to make the change sooner (rather than later).
For better or worse, the climate crisis and money are intrinsically linked, so put your money somewhere beneficial for everyone, instead of funding these moneygrubbing idiots using our savings to sustain their dying industry.
Abundance offer a crowdfunding marketplace for socially and environmentally beneficial projects. Make direct investments in a range of businesses that share your values, through an ISA or a pension.
Personal and business banking from a Certified B Corporation. They're fossil fuel free in our lending, powered by 100% renewable energy and have a long, proud history of providing affordable access to banking and being a champion of immigrants’ and workers’ rights. _NOT_ a FDIC member, but part of GABV (the Global Alliance of Banking on Values).\n
Aspiration offers socially-conscious and sustainable cash management services and investment products, so you can make money while making the world a better place. And, unlike the Big Banks, we don’t use your deposits to fund oil pipelines or turn your fees into campaign contributions to the politicians that work against you.**
From fairly priced checking accounts for individuals and families that help you stay on track, to business and nonprofit financial tools that assist you in growing your organization. This bank is a B Corp, a FDIC member, and part of GABV (the Global Alliance of Banking on Values). Recommended by Stop The Money Pipeline.\n
Super reliable, tax efficient, Traditional and Roth IRA / 401(k), and they now offer checking too. Betterment is not socially responsible by default, you need to select the SRI portfolio for each and every goal (account) you set up with them. They have divested from oil, but you should review [their SRI strategy](https://www.betterment.com/resources/socially-responsible-investing-portfolio-methodology/#sociallyresponsible) to see if you think it's good enough.
Marketplace full of investment opportunities into early-stage startups. The dealflow stems from EIT Climate-KIC’s Accelerator programme, the largest climate-focused acceleration programme in the world.
Discover Switzerland's first climate-friendly credit card: with every card you make an active contribution to the compensation of CO2 emissions - without any additional costs for you. Complete climate compensation Whether a flight ticket, a new shirt or an overnight stay in a hotel - goods and services paid for with the Climate Credit Card are 100% CO2 compensated.\n
Anyone with a Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi Bank account could do the world a favour by cutting that card in half. Customers of any of the fossil fuel funding banks in this list could. Phone up, tell them to cancel your account because they're funding _still funding coal and fracking_, and put another little ding in their bottom line. Find an ethical bank, they've usually got better fees and more friendly support staff anyway.
Need a savings account or a mortgage, but don't want the money being used for the usual awful stuff banks fund? Ecology are dedicated to improving the environment by supporting and promoting ecological building practices and sustainable communities. They'll even give mortgage to folks trying to buy woodlands, or to buy fields and create woodland!
Impact investing is an exciting and rapidly growing industry powered by investors who are determined to generate social and environmental impact as well as financial returns.
The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) is a network of banking leaders from around the world committed to advancing positive change in the banking sector. Their goal is to change the banking system so that it is more transparent, supports economic, social and environmental sustainability, and is composed of a diverse range of banking institutions serving the real economy.\n
Helping you find sustainable and ethical options for banking, pensions, savings and investments.
Hargreaves Lansdown are a big name in finance, offering savings accounts and pensions. They will let you invest in pretty much anything, but they've put together a list of "responsible investment" funds to help you defer some of the thinking to the finance brains. The term 'responsible investment' is often used as a catch-all to describe funds managed with social, environmental, or other responsible criteria in mind, so maybe sift through this list to find ones that sound good to you, whether you use HL or not.
Find out which banks do and don’t have a record of funding fossil fuels. Each institution is sorted into categories clearly defining those that fund fossil fuels and those with no current record of funding the industry. Importantly, you can take action and contact every single bank, credit union and building society listed.
NextEnergy Solar Fund is a specialist investment company that invests in operating solar power plants in the UK and Italy, with the objective of securing attractive shareholder returns through RPI-linked dividends. The Company achieves this by acquiring solar power plants on agricultural, industrial and commercial sites. Invest through an ISA or SIPP on usual UK trading platforms like HL/Fidelity/etc.
Banks, insurance companies, and asset managers are funding, insuring and investing in the climate crisis. Stopping this money pipeline is one of the most important ways we can address the climate emergency.
Thrive Renewables connects people to sustainable energy. We offer accessible opportunities for individuals and businesses to invest in clean energy projects that deliver financial, environmental and social rewards. With over 25 years in the industry, we have a wide network of professional contacts and are constantly on the look out for new projects which enhance our portfolio, match our investment criteria and have the potential to generate financial, environmental and social returns.
German bank which considers the future of our planet to be more important than access to VIP lounges at airports. Skip extra insurance products and fuel discounts, and get a premium account that focuses on climate protection.
TreeCard - The wooden debit card that plants trees.
Invest in solar projects bringing clean energy to emerging markets. Local solar partners will distribute and manage the solar products on the ground. If the loan is successful you will receive your investment and interest in return.
Modern financial and banking services for savers, investors, and organisations who want to change the world for the better. Current accounts, personal savings, ISAs, business lending, and all sorts of other options for individuals, businesses, and charities.
Invest directly in pioneering organisations delivering positive change, such as community solar schemes, renewable energy projects, ethical food supermarkets.