Fossil Free Finance
The financial industry plays a critical role in the climate crisis. Banks, investors, and insurers continue to pour money into fossil fuel companies, fueling climate destruction despite global commitments to a just and sustainable future.
By exposing these financial ties and pushing for strong policies, we can cut off the funding that enables fossil fuel expansion and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
Banks financed the coal industry with
$470 billion in 2021-2023.
source: Still Banking on Coal report, 2024
Here’s a big opportunity for sustainable finance: The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has introduced guidelines for ESG funds that could drive real fossil fuel divestment.
For the first time, asset managers must meet strict criteria if they want to market their funds as sustainable—excluding companies heavily involved in coal, oil, and gas. But will these asset managers truly clean up their portfolios, or will they just rename their funds to keep fossil fuel investments alive?
That’s where our campaign comes in. The guidelines will become effective at the end of May. We have a 3-month window of opportunity to push asset managers to truly clean up their ESG funds instead of renaming them. Over the next months, we’ll be tracking how asset managers respond to the guidelines — and that’s where we need your help.
Send a letter/an email to the asset managers in your country and let them know that we’re keeping an eye on their decision-making!
Want to know more about the hidden relationship between banks and fossil fuel companies?
Make My Money Matter highlighted what really is going on:
Tools for finding out if your bank is financing fossil fuels:
Find out which banks are still financing coal and hold them accountable.
Compare coal financing policies of banks worldwide.
Identify the companies driving oil and gas expansion.
A powerful database exposing investors backing fossil fuel expansion.
A tool to evaluate banks' commitments on oil and gas financing.
The most comprehensive openly accessible database tracking the coal industry.
The definitive report tracking fossil fuel financing by the world's largest banks.
A deep dive into financial institutions' sustainability policies.
Check your funds’ portfolio and see which controversial companies are hidden in your fund. (in German)
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