More people than ever are focussed on their impact on the environment, says Triodos Bank

The sustainable fintech says lockdown helped people to become more mindful of the environment.

Research from sustainable bank Triodos Bank shows that protecting the environment is a top priority for many people in the UK.

According to the research, which was gathered with the help of Opinium, found that 60 per cent of people in the UK think that 2021 will be a “pivotal year for building a greener future,” largely thanks to the election of President-elect Joe Biden and his promise to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord.

In fact, half of those surveyed (49 per cent) said that Biden’s win made them more hopeful for the future of the planet.

Two-thirds (67 per cent) of those surveyed think that that the environment is in the worst shape it’s ever been in and nearly half (45 per cent) say that they are more mindful of the environment as a result of spending more time outdoors because of lockdowns.

Bevis Watts, CEO of Triodos Bank UK, said: “It’s brilliant to witness a swell of environmental optimism in the UK, and that millions of people are looking at how they can do their bit to join the global community in taking climate action and protect the environment.” 

“Anyone looking to live a greener lifestyle should consider that switching banks is one of the most impactful changes you can make. You can choose to prevent your money from financing fossil fuels, plastic packaging or arms, and support sustainable initiatives instead – thereby making a real difference in the world.”

The figures from Triodos highlight the growing momentum behind green finance, with the likes of Moneybox and PensionBee offering fossil-free investment options and digital banks like bunq and Starling pledging to plant trees on behalf of their customers.

Other innovations have also emerged in the green finance space such as recently-launched Sugi, which allows retail investors to check the carbon impact of their investments and compare investments with industry benchmarks to help them build a greener portfolio. 

Despite this, Triodos says that just five per cent of people plan to switch either their current account, investments and pension to more ethical and environmentally friendly providers.