How the banking net zero fantasy ran out of gas Banking Over the past year, the world’s biggest banks‘ net zero enthusiasm has quickly and quietly dried up. Top lenders have backtracked, diluted or outright abandoned their environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies. The return of President Donald Trump has been highlighted as a turning point for green finance with firms across the financial industry turning sour [...]
Fund managers made ‘ridiculously extravagant claims’ on ESG, Aberdeen boss says Business Fund managers have made a “huge mistake” with their “ridiculously extravagant claims” on ESG investing, the boss of asset management giant Aberdeen has said amid a global retreat from ethical funds. Sir Douglas Flint told the City Week conference that investors had adopted a mindset of “we’re not really about investing money, we’re just jolly [...]
National wealth fund boss slams banking industry’s risk appetite Banking The boss of the National Wealth Fund has blasted the banking industry’s risk appetite and cited the lack of risk-taking as the reason for waning growth figures. Speaking at City Week on Monday, John Flint, the chief executive of the newly-established government body, said: “The banking system is very heavily regulated and in the best [...]
City minister doubles down on green finance as firms turn sour June 30, 2025 The City minister has reaffirmed the government’s ambition for a green transition across the financial services sector, despite the industry pivoting on climate priorities. Speaking at City Week on Monday, Emma Reynolds said: “The UK has a world leading financial and related professional services ecosystem and the research that is needed to integrate sustainable finance.” [...]
Financial services firms expected to dump green finance and DEI June 18, 2025 The financial services industry is taking a dramatic step back from green finance and diversity policies. Over half of UK senior financial professionals believe their leadership will place less focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies in the coming years. Meanwhile, a similar proportion, 54 per cent, believe diversity, equality and inclusion commitments will [...]
The City of London is ready to lead the charge in green finance April 14, 2025 Championing green finance is essential to the climate's future, but it's an economic opportunity too, writes Chris Hayward.
Consumers will pay for Starmer’s green targets November 14, 2024 It’s easy to be cynical about a climate conference that sees plutocrats flying their private jets to a petrostate claiming they’re going to save the world. That’s certainly the position of Greta Thunberg, who has dismissed COP29 as an exercise in greenwashing Azerbaijan’s human rights violations, a view shared – in City AM recently – [...]
London widens lead over New York in green finance rankings October 24, 2024 London has kept its title as the world’s top centre for green finance for a third year, according to an influential think tank, as New York fell further down the rankings.
Scotland and the City are leading the way to net zero October 7, 2024 Scotland is a natural home for green finance and working together with the City, we can achieve our net zero ambitions, says Chris Hayward With COP29 just over a month away, attention is turning back to the progress the UK has made towards its net zero targets. The City of London has been at the [...]
Tandem Bank profitable for second year in a row as growth continues June 7, 2024 Tandem Bank has reported a jump in earnings and customer numbers.