
For environmentalists, global politics can feel like a lonely place. Recent headlines include Bolsonaro’s “huge rise in Amazon destruction”, the re-election of Australia’s “coal-clutching premier” and Trump’s disdain for climate action; “we have the cleanest air we’ve ever had”.
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#333333″>But last week, environmentalists found an unlikely ally: the UK financial sector, which published its first Green Finance Strategy on 2 July.text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px”>
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secretary-general, stands ready to help, with text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-style: initial;
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director of climate change gave evidence at a UK treasury select committee hearing on green finance. font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#333333″>As an international organisation, we’re distinctly aware that substantial challenges remain. But unlike the US, Brazil and Australia, climate change policy in the UK largely transcends party politics. font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#333333″>Earlier this year, atmospheric carbon levels passed 415ppm; the highest figure humankind has even known. With the Green Finance Strategy, the UK financial sector has an opportunity to lead the world on the transition to a low carbon economy. The Green Finance Strategy is just a start – but it’s a start to be proud of. font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#333333″>Will Martindale is Director of Policy and Research at the UN Principles for Responsible Investment. He tweets @WillJMartindale