Banking on a just transition
For current work on banking and the just transition, visit https://justtransitionfinance.org/financesector/banking/
This project sought to catalyse strategic action through a process of research and outreach. Initial research questions included:
- Policy frameworks: what are the key climate and economic policies needed to ensure that banks can support scaled-up action in the real economy with far greater urgency?
- Strategic purpose: how can banks and the banking system respond to the social risks and opportunities that flow from the transition to a net zero economy in terms of strategic purpose?
- Market demand: how can banks and other finance providers work with households, enterprises and public authorities to design the sustainable financial products that are needed?
- Public and blended finance: what is the best mix between bank finance, public finance and impact investment, particularly to mitigate risk and ensure inclusion in the transition?
- Regional dynamics: how can banking support place-based climate action, responding to local needs, particularly in a regionally imbalanced economy such as the UK?
- Financial regulation: what is the role that financial regulators can play in overseeing climate risks and the broader social implications of the transition?
The project was designed as a process of research and collaborative dialogue facilitated by the project’s partners, the Grantham Research Institute at LSE and the Sustainability Research Institute at the University of Leeds, working in partnership with UK Finance. It built on work with institutional investors on the just transition, which is now backed by 130-plus institutions with more than US$8 trillion in assets under management.
The dialogues brought together banks, other financial institutions and key stakeholders over the second half of 2019 and in early 2020. Discussion was informed by the contributions of an expert and multi-faceted core advisory group (see below).
Publications
Banking the just transition in the UK
Nick Robins, Sophia Tickell, William Irwin
October 2019
How Scotland can mobilise finance for a just transition
William Irwin, Nick Robins, Jamie Brogan
October 2019
When money speaks the language of justice: investors, banks and the just transition
Nick Robins
July 2019
Advisory Committee
| Andrew | Austwick | Finance for Enterprise | Joint Managing Director | Advisory Committee Member |
| Colin | Baines | Friends Provident Foundation | Investment Engagement Manager | Advisory Committee Member |
| Kate | Bell | TUC | Head of Economic and Social Affairs | Advisory Committee Member |
| Kirsty | Britz | RBS | Director of Sustainable Banking | Advisory Committee Member |
| James | Burrows | Big Society Capital | Investment Director | Advisory Committee Member |
| Fiona | Cannon | Lloyds Banking Group | Group Director, Responsible Business and Inclusion | Advisory Committee Member |
| Bruce | Davis | Abundance Investment | Joint Managing Director | Advisory Committee Member |
| Nikki | Fenton | Unity Bank | Chief Financial Officer | Advisory Committee Member |
| Tony | Greenham | SouthWest Mutual | Chief Executive | Advisory Committee Member |
| Andy | Griffiths | Investor Forum | Executive Director | Advisory Committee Member |
| Lydia | Hascott | Finance Innovation Lab | Head of Intrapreneurship | Advisory Committee Member |
| Alice | Hu-Wagner | British Business Bank | Managing Director Strategy, Economics and Markets | Advisory Committee Member |
| Andy | Kerr | Climate KIC | Director, UK and Ireland | Advisory Committee Member |
| Robert | King | HSBC, UK | Head of Sustainable Finance | Advisory Committee Member |
| Paul | Nicoll | Triodos | Social & Cultural Team Manager, Business Banking | Advisory Committee Member |
| Stephen | Pegge | UK Finance | Managing Director, Commercial Finance | Project Partner |
| Helen | Wildsmith | CCLA | Stewardship Director, Climate Change | Advisory Committee Member |
Project delivery and funding
The Banking on a just transition project was delivered in partnership with UK Finance, and funded by HSBC UK.
A two-page overview of this project is available here