Our monthly round-up of news, ideas and initiatives related to transforming the UK financial system for people and planet, compiled by the Lab’s CEO, Jesse Griffiths.

The climate is changing

The net-zero economy grew by 10% last year. Meanwhile, stranded assets could cost the UK economy £141bn and Lloyds of London is expecting to lose $2.3bn because of the California Wildfires. 

Yet UK pension funds lag their European neighbours on climate voting and fossil fuel interests are skewing UK green investment plans. And Central Bank action on climate is tied to national politics while the EU’s ‘omnibus’ regulations mean weaker ESG standards.

Does the world’s $200bn financing plan for biodiversity stack up?

Want to understand climate risks and opportunities yourself? Here’s the Planetary Solvency Dashboard. And a podcast episode: Is my pension funding climate change? And a useful guide to all the different sustainability disclosure initiatives.

Sadly, the Climate Safe Lending Network is closing, but all their materials will still be available. So will Make My Money Matter’s who are also sadly closing.

And also…

Michael Sheen’s new documentary calls for a Fair Banking Act – and so can you.

Here’s how to power up the National Wealth Fund.

The legal profession’s professional supervisors are failing in their anti-money laundering duties.

And finally…

Microplastics damage plants and may be causing up to 14% of the world’s staple crops to be lost.

What can changemakers learn from the collapse of the UK international aid budget? And the movement to tax the wealthy as an alternative.

What state is global civil society in?