Financial Times · 30 Sep, 04:01 · Finance briefing

UK banks stick with coal financing, campaign report finds

A recent campaign report reveals that UK banks continue to finance coal projects, despite broader industry commitments to net-zero targets.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

A recent campaign report reveals that UK banks continue to finance coal projects, despite broader industry commitments to net-zero targets. The findings highlight a persistent gap between public sustainability pledges and actual lending practices within the financial sector. This discrepancy suggests that regulatory pressure and public scrutiny remain insufficient to fully deter fossil fuel financing. For professionals, this underscores the complexity of transitioning capital markets away from carbon-intensive industries. It indicates that while policy frameworks evolve, institutional inertia and profit motives still drive significant investment in coal, challenging the narrative of rapid decarbonisation in banking.

Employer demand for Finance and Accounting skills — indexed growth since 2019
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Your move

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This development signals that sustainability roles are no longer just about marketing; they require rigorous technical expertise in carbon accounting and regulatory compliance. Professionals in finance must now demonstrate they can navigate the tension between traditional lending models and ESG mandates. You should focus on acquiring skills in risk assessment for climate-related financial exposures. Compliance and governance experts will find heightened demand as institutions face increased scrutiny. If you are in banking, upskill in sustainable finance frameworks to future-proof your career. For consultants, mastering carbon measurement tools is essential. Smart professionals will pivot towards roles that bridge finance and environmental strategy, ensuring they can advise clients on navigating this complex regulatory landscape effectively.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Finance and Accounting, Compliance And Governance, Sustainability management and Risk Management Strategies — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
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