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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

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The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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Featured Pathways

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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

More pathways

Book a demo

Pricing

Ready to get started?

Plans & Membership

Our Platform

Expert led content

+1,000 expert presented, on-demand video modules

Learning analytics

Keep track of learning progress with our comprehensive data

Interactive learning

Engage with our video hotspots and knowledge check-ins

Testing & certification

Gain CPD / CPE credits and professional certification

Managed learning

Build, scale and manage your organisation’s learning

Integrations

Connect Sustainability Unlocked to your current platform

Featured Content

More featured content

The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

More featured content

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Book a demo

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Retail Banking and the Green Economy

Retail Banking and the Green Economy

Simon Thompson

Chartered Banker Institute CEO & ESG specialist

In the first part of this two-part video series on “Banks and the Green Economy”, Simon gives us an overview and some examples of how banks can – and are – supporting the transition to a green economy.

In the first part of this two-part video series on “Banks and the Green Economy”, Simon gives us an overview and some examples of how banks can – and are – supporting the transition to a green economy.

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Retail Banking and the Green Economy

11 mins 57 secs

Overview

Banks are the primary source of credit for households and businesses, and the driving force behind our economic existence. They are extremely well positioned to reallocate credit, and mobilise capital away from environmentally harmful activities towards the green economy, supporting the transition to a sustainable, low carbon world. The term “banking” can be applied to a large range of financial institutions which caters a diverse range of clients, regions and sectors.

Key learning objectives:

  • What is a Retail Bank?

  • Explain the functions of a retail bank

  • Identify some examples of retail banking products and services

  • Explain Green Mortgages

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Summary

What is a Retail Bank?

Retail Banks mainly serves individuals and small businesses. They offer green products which include green mortgages, loans, savings and investments, and green payment services.

What are the main functions of Retail Banks?

  • Deposit taking
  • Managing the payments system
  • Extending credit to individuals and small businesses

What are the examples of Retail banking products and services?

1.Deposits and savings accounts, and payment services - Some banks offer green current accounts that enable customers to influence how their deposits are used.

  • Ekobanken in Sweden, allows clients to direct their savings towards specific areas of the bank’s loan portfolio. Eg - Climate protection
  • Nordea in Sweden have embedded a CO2 tracker in their mobile and digital banking apps. It helps customers see the impact of their consumption decisions
  • YES Bank in India offers a “Green Future Deposit” savings product. This 18 month, fixed-term deposit scheme offers high rates of interest and allocates the funds raised to invest in projects and sectors aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • China’s “Antforest” app combines behavioural ‘nudges’ with gamification to promote more sustainable, climate-smart consumer behaviour, reduce carbon emissions and increase reforestation

2. Green Mortgages - Provide customers with attractive interest rates for purchasing energy-efficient homes or investing in green retrofits, energy-efficient appliances or green power.

  • Barclays launched the UK’s first Green Mortgage in 2018, It was available to the customers, purchasing a new-build home with a high energy-efficiency rating

3. Green Car Loans - Bank Australia links all car loans to the environmental impact of the vehicle being purchased. The bank calculates the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the vehicle type and uses this to determine the interest rate.

4. Green Business Lending - These generally offer more favourable terms such as lower interest rates, or more relaxed collateral requirements for loans with a clearly defined green or sustainable purpose, such as investing in more energy-efficient or otherwise more sustainable production equipment, or premises.

  • HSBC in 2019 launched a green loan scheme for small businesses, offering loans of up to 300,000 pounds linked to sustainable investment and activities
  • In Kenya, the Climate Smart Lending Platform links lending to the adoption of more sustainable farming practices by smallholders
  • Nordea Bank in Sweden has a more developed scheme, where customers commit to reporting positive environmental impacts from investments made

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Expert
Simon Thompson

Simon Thompson

Simon is the Chief Executive of the Chartered Banker Institute and co-author of Green Finance: Principles and Practice. He is also a former Vice President of the European Bank Training Network, and is currently Chair of the Global Banking Education Standards Committee. He specialises in professional ethics, and green and sustainable finance.

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