University of Cambridge

Banking on a better future: Collaborative climate engagement with the banking sector

University of Cambridge, as part of the ‘Responsible Investment Network – Universities’, with leading participation from Trinity College, Cambridge and Jesus College, Cambridge.

Effective engagement with banks by universities and colleges can change the world that students graduate into.

Banks are the largest single source of new financing to fossil fuel expansion, and universities have real negotiating power as clients of major banks. Working through the Responsible Investment Network – Universities and peer networks, our bank engagements focussed on financing for new fossil fuel infrastructure, to prevent further long-term commitments to fossil fuels.

Our engagement helped a major global bank include methane in their methodology, and to report on absolute emissions.

We also filed -- and convinced major asset managers to file -- a shareholder resolution at one of Europe’s largest financers of the fossil fuel industry, HSBC, which led them to commit to phase down their financing of the fossil fuel industry on a timeline consistent with 1.5C and to update oil and gas and coal policies by the end of 2022.

Annual carbon savings achieved with the initiative:

• By looking beyond their immediate operations, universities and colleges can have substantial influence on systemic actors that have their hands on the tap for financing fossil fuel production and expansion – namely, the banking sector.
• To take the case study of HSBC: according to an external study  by the Rainforest Action Network, HSBC is Europe's third largest provider of financing to top fossil fuel companies (2016-2021). The bank provided $461 million to the world's largest 30 coal mining companies and 3.2 billion to the world's largest 30 coal power companies over the period 2016-2021. In response to a resolution filed by ShareAction, Trinity College, Cambridge, 10 other institutional investors and 100+ retail investors, the bank committed to "phase down" its financing of the fossil fuel industry on a timeline aligned with the 1.5C goal and to update its oil and gas policy.
• As HSBC was found to be Europe's largest financier of top oil and gas expanders, HSBC's new oil and gas policy has the potential to create real world climate impact.

What the Judges Thought

The judges were incredibly impressed with the quality of this initiative. The bar was certainly raised when it comes to this application. Innovative, Exceptional and Sector Changing were words used to describe the work being done. We were impressed by the use of 'fame', credibility and weight in the sector to really drive positive social, economic and environmental change that will support not just those in Cambridge, but potentially across the globe. This initiative is leading the way and we cannot wait to see the change they create using money for good. 

What it Means to Win

“Banks have a key role to play in the energy transition. Our historic relationship with major banks, combined with our academic expertise, puts the University of Cambridge in a strong position to influence finance towards net zero goals. This award will help us share this approach with other institutions.”

Anthony Odgers, Chief Financial Officer of the University of Cambridge

(The Vice Chancellor who supported this work has recently stepped down, and we are in transition to an acting VC.)

Top 3 Learnings

1. University and college client relationships can influence corporate and financial-sector decision-making on climate.
2. Banks are critical systemic actors in financing and underwriting fossil fuel expansion and development.
3. Using our academic research and voices as respected institutions can shape banks’ financing approaches.