Home › Banks ›
Bank
NatWest GroupUnited Kingdom

Active

This profile is actively maintained
Last update: 2024-12-17 00:00:00
NatWest Group head office. Photo: Thunderwing via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Active

This profile is actively maintained
Last update: 2024-12-17 00:00:00
Bank info
BankTrack campaigns
All
About
Website https://www.natwestgroup.com/
Headquarters
36 St Andrew Square
EH2 2YB Edinburgh
United Kingdom
CEO/chair Paul Thwaite
CEO
Supervisor
Bank of England
Ownership
listed on London Stock Exchange

Natwest Group's largest shareholder is the UK government, which holds 37.97%  (as of Dec 2023) of the shares.

NatWest Group, founded in 1727, is a British banking and insurance holding company based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Its main subsidiary companies are The Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest, Ulster Bank and Coutts. Prior to a name-change in July 2020, it was known as Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Group. After a massive bailout in 2008, a majority of RBS' shares were purchased by the UK Government. In 2014 the bank embarked on a restructuring process that saw it refocus on its business in the UK and Ireland. As part of this process it divested its ownership of Citizens Financial Group, the 13th largest bank in the United States, in 2015.

Sustainability
Commitments
Policies
Voluntary standards

NatWest Group's most important sustainability commitments can be found at the website sections listed below.

Links

Environment and climate

ESG policies

Oil & Gas Risk Acceptance Criteria

Bank policy
2025-02-20 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Forestry, Fisheries & Agribusiness Risk Acceptance Criteria

Bank policy
2024-02-16 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Defence Risk Acceptance Criteria

Bank policy
2024-02-16 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Power Generation Risk Acceptance Criteria

Bank policy
2024-02-16 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Human Rights Risk Acceptance Criteria

Bank policy
2024-02-16 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Mining & Metals Risk Acceptance Criteria

Bank policy
2024-02-16 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Climate and Sustainable Funding and Financing Inclusion Criteria

Version 1.5
Bank policy
2024-02-14 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Human rights position statement

Bank policy
2022-12-31 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Code of Conduct

Bank policy
2022-02-18 00:00:00 | NatWest

Nature and biodiversity statement

Bank policy
2021-10-28 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Approach to climate change

Date listed represents date as accessed on website
Bank policy
2021-02-23 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Animal testing sector policy

Bank policy
2020-07-31 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Private security companies policy

Bank policy
2020-07-31 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

ESE risks concerns policy

Bank policy
2020-07-31 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Adult entertainment sector policy

Bank policy
2020-07-01 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Statement on Tax Evasion

Bank policy
2019-05-02 00:00:00 | RBS

Statement on Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions Policies and Procedures

Bank policy
2019-02-04 00:00:00 | RBS

Statement on Anti-Bribery and Corruption

Bank policy
2019-02-04 00:00:00 | RBS

Environment statement

Bank policy
2018-05-31 00:00:00 | RBS

Sustainable Procurement Code

Bank policy
2016-06-26 00:00:00 | RBS
NatWest Group has committed itself to the following voluntary standards:
Banking Environment InitiativeTags:
Carbon Disclosure ProjectTags: carbon | climate change | greenhouse gas emissions
Collective Commitment to Climate Action (CCCA)Tags: climate change | corporate social responsibility | United Nations
Dow Jones Sustainability IndicesTags: sustainable development | transparency
Equator PrinciplesTags: Equator Principles | project finance | corporate social responsibility | sustainable development
Global Reporting InitiativeTags: sustainable development | human rights
International Labour Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at WorkTags: worker rights | labour
Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA)Tags: climate change | corporate social responsibility | energy | energy plants
OECD Guidelines for Multinational EnterprisesTags: consumer safety | corporate social responsibility | corruption | cultural preservation | dams | human rights | mining and processing | OECD | supply chain | taxation | worker rights
Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF)Tags: carbon | corporate social responsibility
Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB)Tags: climate change | corporate social responsibility | finance | sustainable development | United Nations | Voluntary Standards
Soft Commodities CompactTags: Deforestation | forest
Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)Tags: corporate social responsibility | finance
Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)Tags: corporate social responsibility | finance
Thun Group on Human RightsTags: Human Rights
UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human RightsTags: United Nations | human rights
UNEP Finance InitiativeTags: United Nations | sustainable development
United Nations Global CompactTags: United Nations | human rights
Universal Declaration of Human RightsTags: human rights | United Nations
Wolfsberg PrinciplesTags: finance | corruption
Dodgy Deals

NatWest Group is linked to a number of companies and projects that BankTrack considers controversial (so called Dodgy Deals), e.g. as a current or past financier or through an expression of interest. The profiles below provide more details on the nature of NatWest Group's link to these deals.

Projects / Companies
Finance type
Year
News
BankTrack
Partners
Blog
External
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Still banking on false solutions

BankTrack’s False Solutions Tracker shows that most of the 30 banks assessed count finance for harmful technologies towards their sustainable finance targets.
2025-05-20 | Nijmegen | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Anger as HSBC ‘bulldozes’ its coal policy with billion-dollar Glencore deal

Investors rage at allegations bank broke its climate pledge to raise funds for mining giant
2025-05-01 | The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New data: UK overseas carbon bombs

Carbon Bombs are fossil fuel projects that could emit more than a gigaton of CO2 over their lifetime.
2025-05-01 | LINGO
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

UK banks’ transition plans “not fit for purpose” – regulation needed

None of the 20 biggest UK and European banks has a credible transition plan to align its business with a 1.5°C aligned trajectory
2025-04-29 | Reclaim Finance
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

NatWest urged to close misleading fossil fuel policy loophole

ShareAction response
2025-04-23 | ShareAction
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Most large banks still failing to implement UN human rights principles, new BankTrack benchmark finds

Despite gradual progress, banks show little action in addressing impacts, protecting vulnerable groups and supporting affected communities.
2024-11-27 | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

UK Banks still lending to oil and gas giant BP – despite climate pledges

A joint investigation from Channel 4 News and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism has found that the UK bank NatWest is continuing to lend to the oil and gas company BP
2024-11-13 | Channel 4
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks ready to finance false solutions to the climate crisis

BankTrack’s new False Solutions Tracker, mapping bank definitions of renewables, finds that most banks include ‘false solutions’ within their sustainable/green finance targets.
2024-11-11 | Nijmegen | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

European banks channel $230bn to fossil fuel expansion

Banks using transition finance ‘to maintain business as usual’ with fossil fuel companies, non-profits claim
BankTrack mentioned
2024-11-08 | The Banker
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

European banks’ on-going support for fossil fuels is blocking energy transition

2024-11-07 | Reclaim Finance
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks’ low-ambition and incoherent climate targets put net zero goals at risk – new ShareAction analysis

2024-11-05 | ShareAction
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Energy supply financing ratios: the next milestone in banks’ climate strategy

The energy supply financing ratio is a key indicator that synthesizes two major challenges in limiting global warming to 1.5°C: the phase-out of fossil fuels and the development of sustainable alternatives.
2024-10-07 | Reclaim Finance
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks must overhaul climate targets to deliver emissions cuts, new analysis finds

Reclaim Finance is urging banks to rethink their targets, and in particular to jettison the widely used “financed emissions” and “facilitated emissions” targets.
2024-09-19 | Reclaim Finance
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

BankTrack set to publish 2024 Global Human Rights Benchmark in November

50 of the world’s largest banks were invited to provide feedback on draft assessments of their human rights disclosures
2024-07-23 | Nijmegen, Netherlands | Giulia Barbos – BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

European financial institutions invest billions in arms companies that sell weapons to Israel

2024-06-20 | BankTrack, 11.11.11-Koepel van Internationale Solidariteit, Association France Palestine Solidarité, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), Centre National de Coopération au Développement, European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine, European Legal Support Center, European Trade Union Network for Justice in Palestine, Fagforbundet - Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees, FairFin, Handel og Kontor i Norge (HK Norway), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Intersindical Alternativa de Catalunya, Landsorganisasjonen i Norge, Norwegian People, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, PAX, The Rights Forum, Trocaire
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks financed fossil fuels by $6.9 trillion dollars since the Paris Agreement; $705 billion provided in 2023 alone; JPMorgan Chase, Mizuho, and Bank of America are worst 3 funders

Annual Banking on Climate Chaos report with an updated methodology offers comprehensive look at who’s bankrolling the climate crisis
2024-05-13 | BankTrack, urgewald, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Rainforest Action Network, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

NGOs call on banks and investors to cut TotalEnergies’ main source of finance

Some 60 NGOs from around the world signed an open letter calling on banks and investors to stop participating in bonds issued by TotalEnergies
2024-04-10 | Reclaim Finance
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks under pressure to reveal data comparing green and fossil fuel spending

Criticism sparks agreement by banks to develop a ratio showing whether a bank’s fossil fuel financing is outstripping the amount it is investing in clean energy
BankTrack mentioned
2024-03-25 | The Banker
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

UK banks urged to end finance to company behind Rosebank oil field development

BankTrack mentioned
2024-03-20 | The Independent
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks financing company behind controversial Rosebank oil field despite climate pledges

HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest and BNP Paribas are financing major North Sea oil expander Ithaca Energy, despite pledges to stop propping up new fossil fuel projects
2024-03-20 | London | BankTrack, #StopRosebank
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

67 organisations call on banks to cease financing metallurgical coal

Banks risk stranded assets & climate catastrophe in steel lending without metallurgical coal exclusions
2023-12-07 | Nijmegen | BankTrack, Reclaim Finance
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

UK banks providing billions in financing to big livestock corporations responsible for higher greenhouse gas emissions than UK and Ireland

2023-12-01 | Feedback
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New NatWest boss worked for oil firm under investigation in ‘world’s biggest financial scandal’

Exclusive: Rick Haythornthwaite was paid £200,000 a year by Saudi company, PetroSaudi, involved in 1MDB scandal
2023-09-12 | The Guardian
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Decarbonization: steel not making the cut

Analysis by Reclaim Finance shows that few financial institutions have steel targets, and that those that have been adopted are riddled with flaws
2023-08-23 | Reclaim Finance
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

NatWest starts to sound out successors for departed CEO Dame Alison Rose

2023-08-05 | Financial Times
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Exclusive: Banks vote to limit accounting of emissions in bond and stock sales

Banks back accounting for 33% of capital market-linked emissions. Environmental advocates push for 100% attribution. PCAF board expected to back the 33% weighting, ending delays.
2023-07-31 | Reuters
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Policy analysis report: Moving away from mass destruction

2023-07-27 | ICAN, PAX
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

UK firm given £430m green transition loan then expanded oil and gas business

Exclusive: Wood Group boosts fossil fuel business and shrinks renewables work after getting government-backed loan
BankTrack mentioned
2023-06-07 | The Guardian
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

European banks have a dirty climate secret – but a new initiative could make them come clean

Banks are keeping most of their fossil fuel financing off the books
2023-06-02 | ShareAction
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Barclays, Morgan Stanley lead banks nearing CO2 disclosure deal

Banks face new reporting era as capital markets are targeted. NatWest among few banks agreeing to 100% disclosure standard.
2023-05-16 | Bloomberg
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Will Transition Plans Bring Transparency to Net-Zero Goals?

Big banks are finally starting to provide details about how they will achieve their sustainability promises. But the risk of greenwashing remains.
2023-04-26 | Bloomberg
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Game of Thrones stars challenge big banks over fossil fuel links

Kit Harington and Rose Leslie attend ‘couples therapy’ in Richard Curtis film for Make My Money Matter
2023-04-18
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New report: Canadian bank RBC the #1 financier of fossil fuels, world’s biggest banks continued to pour billions into fossil fuel expansion

Annual Banking on Climate Chaos report follows the money and details massive bank support for the world’s worst climate-destroying corporations
2023-04-13 | San Francisco | BankTrack, urgewald, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Rainforest Action Network, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Inside the fossil fuel stand-off that’s ensnared global banks

Leaked paper sheds light on debate within Net Zero Banking Alliance
2023-04-05 | Financial Times
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Exclusive: Split delays carbon accounting plan on banks' capital market deals -sources

Deal on capital markets emissions accounting delayed, some reluctant to book 100% emissions linked to deals.
2023-03-24 | Reuters
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Mark Carney accusations call green credentials into question

Ex-Bank of England governor’s climate group is ‘dragging its feet’ on green investment
BankTrack mentioned
2023-01-24 | The Telegraph
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Throwing fuel on the fire: GFANZ members provide billions in finance for fossil fuel expansion

2023-01-17 | Paris, France /Nijmegen, Netherlands | BankTrack, Reclaim Finance
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Europe’s largest banks falling short on climate and biodiversity action

New ShareAction research uncovers urgent need for UK and European banking sector to close loopholes in climate and biodiversity strategies
2022-12-12 | ShareAction
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

European financial institutions heavily invested in companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements

725 European Financial Institutions found to provide billions of dollars in finance to companies operating in Israel's illegal settlement enterprise
2022-12-05 | Brussels | Don't Buy Into Occupation
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New human rights assessment of banks shows slow progress and lack of action to address key gaps on reporting and remedy

BankTrack’s 2022 Global Human Rights Benchmark finds reporting at a standstill, remedy still lacking and no clear leaders
2022-11-17 | BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New report: Largest European banks bankroll high-risk arms traders

2022-07-12 | PAX
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New report: Despite ‘net zero’ rhetoric, world’s biggest banks continued to pour billions into fossil fuel expansion in 2021

Annual Banking on Climate Chaos report follows the money and details massive bank support for the world’s worst climate-destroying corporations
2022-03-30 | San Francisco, Bemidji, Nijmegen, Oakland, Paris, Sassenberg, Washington DC | BankTrack, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Rainforest Action Network, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club, Urgewald
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

ESG round up: NatWest to slash fossil fuel exposure

2022-02-21 | Responsible Investor
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks failing to address severe human rights impacts transparently, finds BankTrack research

Findings reinforce the need for regulators to ensure access to effective remedy for people affected by bank finance
2021-12-14 | Nijmegen | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Barclays, RBS, HSBC, Credit Suisse and UBS fined for taking part in forex trading cartel

2021-12-02 | CNBC
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Britain turns to bankers to blaze a green trail

The financial industry will be relied on to meet climate goals. NatWest, a lender to oil giants, provides a template.
BankTrack mentioned
2021-12-02 | New York Times
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Glasgow wrap-up: updates from banks and civil society at COP26

With COP26 behind us, it’s as clear as ever before that banks must act urgently to help achieve the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 C.
2021-11-17 | Nijmegen | BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Climate groups call out banks lobbying for watered down Net Zero Commitments

Stop the Money Pipeline organizations respond to news that on behalf of a group of 12 banks, HSBC lobbied Mark Carney’s GFANZ to scrap mandatory science-based targets and delay a deadline.
2021-11-09 | New York | BankTrack, Stop the Money Pipeline
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Meet the banks funding the owners of the Cambo oil field

New research shines a spotlight on the banks backing Shell and Siccar Point Energy
2021-10-29 | #StopCambo
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Equator Banks involved in financing at least 200 fossil fuel projects since Paris

BankTrack research sheds new light on finance for fossil fuels by Equator banks
2021-10-26 | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks due at UK’s ‘Green’ Investment Summit ‘financed £700 billion in fossil fuels since Paris Agreement’

Citi, JPMorgan and Barclays among “world’s biggest financiers” of oil, gas and coal at government summit on green future.
2021-10-18 | DeSmog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

‘Wreckers of the Earth’: 300 London-based companies destroying the planet

2021-10-14 | Corporate Watch
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks and biodiversity: are banks moving towards Kunming?

As China hosts the first part of the UN Biodiversity Conference, banks are called upon to support its goals
2021-10-14 | Nijmegen | BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New report exposes billions in European financial support to companies in illegal Israeli settlements

2021-09-29 | Don't Buy Into Occupation
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Fossil Banks No Thanks demands banks commit to end fossil fuel finance before Glasgow Climate Summit

210+ groups support urgent call to action
2021-09-23 | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

European banks storing €20bn a year in tax havens

2021-09-06 | The Guardian
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New research puts big banks’ sustainability claims in doubt

While 20 of Europe’s 25 largest banks have pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, none have matched these long-term ambitions with comprehensive plans to avert climate change and biodiversity loss
2021-09-06 | London | ShareAction
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks called upon to take action to protect biodiversity ahead of UN Biodiversity Conference in Kunming

Civil society organizations urge banks to adopt stringent “No Go” policy for biodiversity rich areas
2021-05-26 | Nijmegen | BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Revealed: Businesses and banks behind global plastic waste crisis

Just 20 companies produce over 50 per cent of all single-use plastic - Top financial institutions enabling plastic waste identified
2021-05-18 | Minderoo Foundation
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

UK banks’ support for coal industry has risen since 2015 Paris climate pact

2021-05-04 | The Guardian
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

The City of London, home of coal finance

Just six months before it hosts the crucial COP26 summit, the UK’s climate leadership has been called into question by a damning new report from Reclaim Finance
2021-05-04 | urgewald, Reclaim Finance
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New bank climate initiative fails to grasp urgent need to end finance for fossil fuels

Civil society statement on the launch of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance
2021-04-22 | Nijmegen | BankTrack, urgewald, Amazon Watch, Bank on our Future, Indigenous Environmental Network, Market Forces, Positive Money, Rainforest Action Network, Reclaim Finance, ShareAction, Sierra Club
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Leading finance firms sign up to Mark Carney forum on low-carbon investment

2021-04-21 | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

NatWest sees big opportunities in race to go green, says climate chief

BankTrack mentioned
2021-04-09 | Yahoo Finance
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banking on Climate Chaos 2021: World’s 60 largest banks have poured USD 3.8 trillion into fossil fuels since Paris Agreement

Even amidst the global economic downturn, fossil fuel financing numbers were higher in 2020 than 2016
2021-03-24 | Nijmegen | BankTrack, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Rainforest Action Network, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

FCA brings money laundering charges against NatWest

2021-03-16 | Financial Times
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banking beyond deforestation

How the banking industry can help halt and reverse deforestation
2021-01-18 | Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Bank lending to plastics industry faces scrutiny as pollution concerns mount

2021-01-07 | Reuters
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Six years of the Soft Commodities Compact failed to slow bank finance for deforestation

New BankTrack research shows need for banks to move beyond certification requirements
2020-12-01 | Nijmegen | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

NatWest Group is the banking sponsor of next year’s COP26

2020-11-17 | NatWest
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Barclays, HSBC and Credit Suisse among worst offenders on oil sands finance

ShareAction says Barclays has participated in 11 loan and bond deals to oil sands companies since its net zero announcement in March
2020-10-29 | London | ShareAction
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

A call to action on the Principles for Responsible Banking: End climate-destructive financing now

2020-10-20
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Western banks provide billions in backing for firms driving tuna species to collapse

2020-09-28 | Unearthed
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Principles for Responsible Banking no obstacle to finance climate destruction

Twenty PRB banks provided over US$1.25 trillion in fossil fuel financing since Paris Agreement
2020-09-22 | Nijmegen | BankTrack, Rainforest Action Network
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New BankTrack Equator Principles reporting tracking tool launched

2020-09-21 | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

NatWest Group becomes first major UK bank to join the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials

2020-07-27 | PCAF
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Lord Stern appointed as independent climate advisor to NatWest Group

2020-07-22 | NatWest Group
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Global finance sector failing to apply conservation criteria to pulp and paper funding

2020-03-21 | New York/Amsterdam | Environmental Paper Network
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banking on Climate Change – Fossil Fuel Finance Report Card 2020

New report reveals global banks funneled USD 2.7 trillion into fossil fuels Since Paris Climate Agreement, with financing on the rise each year 
2020-03-18 | Nijmegen | BankTrack, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Rainforest Action Network, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Civil society groups welcome Royal Bank of Scotland preparing to exit fossil fuels

Bank demands credible, ‘Paris proof’ transition plans from coal, oil and gas clients by end 2021; commits to exit coal by 2030
2020-02-18 | BankTrack, Rainforest Action Network, Reclaim Finance, ShareAction
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS will stop lending to energy firms without climate crisis plan

2020-02-14 | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS to change name to NatWest in strategic overhaul

2020-02-14 | Financial Times
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS plans to cut fossil fuel loans, be climate positive by 2025

2020-02-14 | Bloomberg
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Big four UK banks providing billions for coal power expansion, urged to ‘clean up their acts’ for Glasgow COP

2019-12-05 | London, UK | BankTrack, urgewald, 350.org
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

4 out of 5 banks failing on human rights, new BankTrack Human Rights Benchmark shows

Lloyds, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and Société Générale among the poorest performers in BankTrack ranking, alongside Canadian and Chinese banks
2019-11-26 | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS urged to end financing of the coal, oil and gas sectors

BankTrack mentioned
2019-09-28 | The Herald
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Groups challenge RBS over fossil fuel investments

BankTrack mentioned
2019-09-28 | The National
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Civil society groups call on new CEO to make RBS banking sector ‘climate leader’

2019-09-27 | Edinburgh, Scotland
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Royal Bank of Scotland joins growing number of financial institutions rejecting Arctic Refuge drilling

2019-08-06 | Edinburgh, Scotland | Sierra Club
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Antitrust: Commission fines Barclays, RBS, Citigroup, JPMorgan and MUFG €1.07 billion for participating in foreign exchange spot trading cartel

2019-05-16 | European Commission press release
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive Ross McEwan resigns

2019-04-25 | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Climate activists protest outside Edinburgh's Royal Bank of Scotland HQ

2019-04-25 | Edinburghlive.co.uk
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Climate change activists stage protest outside RBS AGM

2019-04-25 | The Daily Mail
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Global Banks, Led by JPMorgan Chase, Invested $1.9 Trillion in Fossil Fuels Since Paris Climate Pact

2019-03-20 | Desmogblog.com
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banking on Climate Change – Fossil Fuel Finance Report Card 2019

World's top banks have poured $1.9 trillion into fossil fuel financing since the Paris Agreement was adopted, with financing on the rise each year
2019-03-20 | Nijmegen, the Netherlands | BankTrack, Honor the Earth, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Every two weeks a bank, insurer or lender announces new coal restrictions

Major financial institutions restricting coal funding tops 100
2019-02-27 | IEEFA
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks massively financing fossil fuels unclear about future of ... fossil fuels

Few banks acknowledge relation between fossil fuels and climate breakdown
2018-12-20 | Nijmegen
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New briefing paper on RWE – Europe’s worst polluter – for investors, insurers and banks

2018-12-16 | Beyond Fossil Fuels
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS moves on coal and tar sands and takes the lead of UK banks

2018-05-30 | Nijmegen, The Netherlands | Yann Louvel – BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS introduces new energy financing policies to support low carbon transition

2018-05-29 | RBS
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Royal Bank of Scotland Announces New Policy Ahead of Tomorrow’s Shareholder Meeting

2018-05-29 | RAN
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Report finds major banks ramped up fossil fuel financing to $115 billion in 2017

Despite 2017 being the costliest year on record for weather disasters, new report reveals that banks increased extreme fossil fuel financing last year, led by a more than doubling in lending to tar sands companies and pipelines.
2018-03-28 | Nijmegen, the Netherlands | BankTrack, Honor the Earth, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Big banks complicit in massive tar sands destruction and pollution through hundreds of billions in financing

2017-11-02 | Rainforest Action Network
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Financiers of pulp and paper industry projects will cause environmental and social harm, says new report

2017-08-01 | Mandy Haggith – Environmental Paper Network
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New report: HSBC a ‘crucial link in the chain’ of Palestinian oppression says War on Want

2017-07-12 | War on Want
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

More black marks for coal-hungry UK banks in latest Report Card

Barclays and HSBC increased finance for coal power in 2016, despite claims to support Paris Agreement
2017-07-10 | Greig Aitken – BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks provide billions for Dirty Diesel traders while failing to act on human rights, says new briefing

- Oil traders Trafigura and Vitol received over $100 billion in loans since 2012
- Of 26 banks contacted, not one has pressured companies over toxic fuel exports to Africa
2017-05-23 | Nijmegen | BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Europe’s biggest banks register €25 billion profit in tax havens

2017-03-27 | Fair Finance International, Oxfam
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Leading banks under fire for misrepresenting human rights responsibilities

Discussion Paper by Thun Group of banks meets series of objections from UN Working Group, John Ruggie and over 30 civil society organisations
2017-02-28 | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Christian Aid calls for RBS to ditch fossil fuel investments

2017-02-23 | Christian Aid
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Dakota Access: UK banks back pipeline builder Energy Transfer Partners

2016-12-01 | EnergyDesk
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Financing of coal industry expansion by top banks undermining Paris Agreement

2016-11-14 | Marrakech, Morocco | BankTrack, Friends of the Earth France, Market Forces, Rainforest Action Network, urgewald
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New report finds banks betting on climate change

Seventh annual bank finance Report Card reveals major banks poured hundreds of billions into extreme fossil fuels
2016-06-14 | Nijmegen, San Francisco | BankTrack, Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club and Oil Change International
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS bank a wolf in sheep’s clothing on renewables

2016-04-20 | Move Your Money
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS bank a wolf in sheep’s clothing on renewables

2016-04-19 | Move Your Money UK blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS doubles lending to sustainable energy projects

2016-04-18 | RBS website
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS pulls back fossil fuel investments as green deals grow

2016-04-17 | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

As RBS comes clean about its finance for coal mining, the UK’s top banks can now seize the chance to clean up their acts

2015-09-09 | BankTrack blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS sells further North American loan portfolio to Mizuho

2015-04-27 | Reuters
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Mizuho to Buy RBS Loans in North America for $3 Billion

2015-02-26 | Bloomberg
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Fossil fuel divestment campaign grows as protesters target UK banks

2015-02-13 | The Guardian
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Climate breakthrough as string of banks dump coal financing

2015 | BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Call for banks to divest from APRIL

Social conflict and environmental destruction are rife in its operations
2014-12-10 | Nijmegen | BankTrack, Mandy Haggith – Environmental Paper Network
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks not yet living up to UN human rights principles, finds BankTrack

New research finds inadequate reporting on human rights impacts, and failure to establish mechanisms to allow complaints.
2014-12-02 | Geneva | BANKTRACK
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

'Record year' for bank coal financing as latest UN climate warning looms

2014-10-29 | Nijmegen | BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New report calls for smaller, greener banking in post-referendum Scotland

2014-08-19 | Edinburgh | Friends of the Earth Scotland
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks and human rights: Assessing strengths and weaknesses of the Thun Group’s approach

2014-08-11 | Righting Finance
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS AGM: Protestors to target top coal bank

2014-06-24 | Edinburgh | WDM & FOE Scotland
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS joins move to shun Abbot Point financing

2014-06-19 | The Australian
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Royal Bank of Scotland Rules Out Financing Major Coal Port Expansion

Follows Deutsche Bank and HSBC
2014-06-18 | Edinburgh | BankTrack, Greenpeace, 38 Degrees, AMCS
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Blog: From “Oil Bank of Scotland” to “ethical leader”? A shift in rhetoric, now time for action

2014-04-23 | Ryan Brightwell, BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS aims to lead from front on ethical banking

2014-04-15 | The Herald Scotland
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

More US and European Banks step back from Mountaintop Removal

2014 | BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Thun Group of Banks agrees to consider remedy for victims of human rights abuse

2014 | BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Nine of the world's top 20 funders of coal won't touch additional coal terminals at Abbot Point

2014 | BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Dirty Money - an interactive documentary

Watch WDM's online, interactive documentary exploring how UK banks are financing coal mining in Indonesia.
2013-11-21 | London | World Development Movement
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

British banks among world's biggest lenders to coal industry, report finds

2013-11-18 | The Guardian
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

BankTrack welcomes Thun Group paper on banks and human rights

Call for access to remedy for victims bank-financed human rights abuses
2013-10-11 | Nijmegen | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Who's Funding Climate Change...

2013-10-04 | The Huffington Post
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

UK banks financing coal boom destroying Borneo rainforests

2013-10-01 | London | World Development Movement
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS carbon emissions up to 1,200 times higher than reported figure

2013-08-27 | Scotland | Miriam Ross, World Development Movement
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Environmentalists expose RBS toxic mountain investment

2013-05-14 | Edinburgh | Friends of the Earth Scotland
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS slammed for backing 'obscene' mountaintop removal

2013-05-12 | Scotland | Herald Scotland
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS sustainability report shows deliberate manipulation of truth by the state-owned bank

2013-04-16 | Edinburgh | Friends of the Earth Scotland
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Has RBS stopped financing the tar sands? (Spoiler: No).

2013-02-11 | Platform blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Equator Principles goes beyond project finance, improves transparency

2012-08-13 | Environmental Finance
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

NGOs seek Sakhalin compensation from Shell, UK banks (Subscription required)

2012-08-01 | Sakhalin Island, Russia | Environmental-Finance
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Complaint seeks resettlement and compensation from Shell and UK banks for damage caused by Sakhalin II oil and gas project

2012-07-31 | Sakhalin Island, Russia | Pacific Environment
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS under fire for fossil fuel lending

2012-05-30 | Scotland | Blue and Green tomorrow
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS annual general meeting: as it happened

2012-05-30 | Scotland | The Telegraph
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS finance for tar sands revealed on eve of AGM – students protest

2012-05-30 | London | Platform
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS involved in £40bn loans to fossil fuel companies in past six months

2012-05-28 | Scotland | The Guardian
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Don’t bank on the bomb

2012-03-05 | Washington | ICAN
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New report: European banks fuelling food price volatility and hunger

2012-01-12 | Brussels | Friends of the Earth Europe
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Bankrolling Climate Change

NGOs present groundbreaking research on banks’ involvement in coal financing
2011-11-30 | Durban | urgewald, Earthlife, BankTrack and groundWork
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Coal study names top 20 'climate killer' banks

BankTrack mentioned
2011-11-30 | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS ‘bankrolling climate change’, says campaign group

2011-11-30 | Durban | Deadline news
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

While BankTrack criticizes Equator Principles, IFC celebrates Community of Learning

2011-10-25 | Washington | prizmablog.com
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Time to Improve the Equator Principles, BankTrack Says

BankTrack mentioned
2011-10-24 | Washington | Social Funds
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

BankTrack to Equator Principles banks; ‘get the Outside Job done’

Equator Principles update must lead to new Principles focused on people and planet
2011-10-23 | Washington | BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Financiers search for sustainable future

BankTrack mentioned
2011-10-20 | Washington | Environmental Finance
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

'Girl Band' Protest at Royal Bank of Scotland sponsored low carbon investment conference

2011-09-27 | Edinburgh | Friends of the Earth Scotland
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS severs ties with makers of cluster bombs

2011-09-01 | Scotland | The Independent
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Cluster bomb firms face backlash over funding

2011-08-17 | The Independent
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

FSA reveals British banks are failing to turn down corrupt funds

Long overdue recognition shows need for new systems in banks and more effective ongoing monitoring regime by FSA, say campaigners
2011-06-22 | London | Global Witness
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Barclays, HSBC and RBS linked to 'dirty financing' for fossil fuels

2011-06-14 | The Ecologist
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

First Nations protest tar sands investment at Royal Bank of Scotland AGM

• New research shows that, since public bail-out in 2008, RBS has raised more than £5.6 billion for companies involved in controversial Canadian tar sands projects, £2.2 billion of which was in the last twelve months • Canadian First Nations representatives to voice opposition in person at RBS AGM
2011-04-19 | London | Platform
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS faces AGM protests over tar sands cash

2011-04-19 | The Independent
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS oil sands investments 'not sound', say greens

2011-04-19 | London | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Is 'Climate Week' inspirational or hypocritical?

2011-03-21 | London, UK
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Green groups boycott Climate Week over RBS

2011-03-21 | The Independent
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Climate Week in turmoil over revelations of sponsor's climate damage

Celebrities and groups withdraw from event after RBS shown to be UK's biggest financier of coal mining and power
2011-03-20 | London | Platform
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Climate Week is too cosy with EDF, RBS and Tesco - join an activist group instead

2011-03-17 | The Ecologist
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Protests outside treasury over RBS oil investments

2011-02-24 | London | Friends of the earth Scotland
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Don’t make it easier for dictators to steal

2011-02-24 | London | Global Witness
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS was nicely bailed out – now it's time to bail in

2011-02-21 | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

10 things you may not have known about RBS

2011-02-21
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS: oil bank of Scotland to green investment bank?

2011-02-01 | Bright Green Scotland
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Worst EU Lobbyists 2010 revealed- RWE, Goldman Sachs and ISDA

2010-12-02 | Brussels | Friends of the Earth Europe et.al.
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Follow The Money- RBS article in Foto8 Magazine

RBS article in Foto8 Magazine
2010-11-16 | London
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Students Union boycotts RBS

2010-10-26 | Manchester, UK | Manchester Mule
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

British banks complicit in Nigerian corruption, court documents reveal

2010-10-11 | London | Global Witness
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

People's Charter for RBS

2010-09-23 | United Kingdom | Friends of the Earth Scotland
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

European banks provide fuel for the conflict in Sudan

The limited scope of Sustainable Asset Management
2010-09-20 | Amsterdam | Somo
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Decoding RBS Greenwash

2010-08-24 | RAN
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Global Witness applauds RBS penalty over terrorist financing

2010-08-04 | London | Global Witness
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Question over funds for mine investment

2010-07-28 | The Guardian
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New report argues RBS should be turned into Green Investment Bank

2010-07-26 | London | Platform
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS targeted by protesters at international banking conference

Climate activists denounce bankers’ involvement in financing destructive tar sands
2010-07-13 | London | London camp for climate action
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBC tables an offer on tar sands

2010-07-12 | San Franscisco | Rainforest Action Network
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New rules for Equator Principles, but no new commitments from banks

New governance rules represent missed chance for Equator Principles to take bold steps forward on transparency and accountability
2010-07-01 | Nijmegen, the Netherlands | BankTrack
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

BankTrack calls on banks to stop funding nuclear power

New website exposes nuclear secrets of commercial banks
2010-05-26 | Nijmegen, the Netherlands | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Shell faces shareholder questions on tar sands

2010-05-18 | The Hague | The Independent
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

‘Clean the banks’ campaigners hopeful for Vince Cable backing on RBS and finance sector demands

2010-05-12 | United Kingdom | PLATFORM et al.
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

BLOG WDM: Meeting with Philip Hampton, Chairman of RBS about Canadian tar sands and Vedanta Resources

2010-04-30 | Edinburgh | World Development Movement
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

BankTrack calls upon banks to Close the Gap on investment policies

New report evaluates quality of investment policies of 49 banks; more policies in place, overall quality below what is required
2010-04-27 | Nijmegen, the Netherlands | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Another oil sands AGM protest, this time at a bank

2010-04-26 | London | Financial Times
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS under fire for more ‘dirty’ investments

2010-04-25 | United Kingdom | The Sunday Herald
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

J.P. Morgan rolls into Calgary

2010-04-05 | Calgary, Canada | Global Investor
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

UK and North America groups slam British ‘tar sands’ bank opening in Calgary

Treasury grilled in UK Parliament over public money being used by Royal Bank of Scotland to support tar sands development
2010-03-17 | London | Platform
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Equator Principles: Action, not words needed

BankTrack calls upon Citi, new chair of Equator Principles to take bold steps forward
2010-03-15 | Nijmegen, The Netherlands | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

A fund for climate chaos: RBS investment in tar sand exploitation is a highly irresponsible use of public bailout money

2010-03-04 | guardian.co.uk
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS accused over funding for tar sands 'blood oil'

2010-03-02 | London | The Independent
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

UK Taxpayers' money involved in financing controversial tar sands companies

Cashing in on Tar Sands: RBS, UK banks and Canada’s “blood oil”
2010-03-01 | London | Platform
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Tullow Oil (financed by RBS) given licence to flare Ugandan gas

2010-02-16 | London | Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS bailout faces legal attack thanks to bank's lending record

2010-02-04 | London | The Independent
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New legal action over latest RBS bail out

2010-02-03 | London | Platform, WDM, People and Planet
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Treasury faces legal bid over RBS handout

2010-02-03 | London | BBC
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Civil society groups call for bold steps forward with Equator Principles

Major reforms needed on transparency, accountability, implementation and climate change
2010-01-14 | Nijmegen | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

UK taxpayers are funding the destruction of my homeland

2009-11-29 | guardian.co.uk
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Indigenous Canadians deliver message to RBS and the Treasury: “Stop funding bloody oil!”

New research shows that publicly-owned RBS is the UK bank most heavily involved in financing the Tar Sands
2009-11-16 | London | Rainforest Action Network
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Canadian protest over RBS oil sands role

By Ed Crooks, Energy Editor Financial Times
2009-11-16 | London
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Top financial institutions still invest US$20 billion in cluster bombs

Activists call on banks and pension funds to disinvest from banned weapon
2009-10-29 | London | Netwerk Vlaanderen
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

High Court decision: Treasury can ignore climate change and human rights

2009-10-21 | London | Platform
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Treasury taken to court for RBS loans to Vedanta Resources

2009-10-20 | London, UK | The Guardian
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Unprecedented legal battle over RBS' unethical investments

New report on 'Royal Bank of Sustainability' calls for new course for RBS
2009-10-20 | London | Platform
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

UK Government faces environmental legal challenge over RBS

2009-06-30 | London | Platform
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

BankTrack members unveil bank secrets

Six European organizations launch a revealing website: www.banksecrets.eu
2009-06-25 | Brussels | CRBM
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Campaigners demand RBS stop using tax money to destroy climate

As RBS holds its AGM, NGOs challenge the bank and UKFI to review and reduce fossil fuel financing following Parliamentary Committee recommendation.
2009-04-03 | London | Platform
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Groups call for environmental regulation of RBS

2008-10-13 | United Kingdom | Platform
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Cashing in on Coal - New Report

2008-08-26 | London, Edinburgh | Platform
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

UK groups slam RBS for fossil fuel financing on the eve of its CSR report launch

RBS Projects Responsible for more CO2 Emissions than Scotland
2008-07-03 | Edinburgh, London | Platform
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Protests at shareholders meetings of Citi, Bank of America and RBS

US and UK banks find BankTrack campaigners protest against financing climate change
2008-04-23 | New York, Edinburgh, Charlotte | Rainforest Action Network
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Environmental Victory for Sakhalin II

Project sponsor announces it cannot get financing from US and UK Export Credit Agencies
2008-03-04 | London, Washington, Sakhalin | Pacific Environment
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

NGOs Call on Royal Bank of Scotland to recall Loan on Sakhalin II

Loan for controversial oil and gas project passed on to RBS
2008-01-17 | Edinburgh, London | Pacific Environment
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Platform's "Oyal Bank of Scotland" campaign forces concessions

2008 | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Royal Bank of Scotland profits from Burmese oil

Bank warned not to support military junta
2007-10-29 | London, Edinburgh, Burma | Platform
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS profits threatened by fossil fuel financing

Bank fails to account for carbon liabilities
2007-08-02 | London | Platform
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

RBS adopts climate rhetoric while financing global warming

NGOs welcome shift to renewables but challenge continued distortion
2007-07-11 | London, Edinburgh, Utrecht | Platform
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Sakhalin II: new environmental violations brought to light

Banks once more warned for risks of being involved
2007-06-27 | United States of America | Pacific Environment
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

The Oil & Gas Bank

RBS & the financing of climate change
2007-03-12 | London | Platform
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

And while London burns - in Square Mile

"Opera" draws links between banks and climate change
2006-12-01 | London | Platform
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Sakhalin II: Six banks face serious decision

now that the Russian government has revoked the environmental permits
2006-09-15 | London, United Kingdom | Pacific Environment
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks warned of liability if Baku-Ceyhan pipeline leaks

2006-02-17 | London | Platform
Resources
Documents
Links

2024 Sustainability Report

Other bank document
2025-03-21 00:00:00 | NatWest

2024 Annual Report

Annual report
2025-03-10 00:00:00 | NatWest

Oil & Gas Risk Acceptance Criteria

Bank policy
2025-02-20 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

NZBA 2024 Progress Report

Other document
2024-10-01 00:00:00 | NZBA

Banking on climate chaos 2024

Fossil fuel finance report 2024
BankTrack publication
2024-05-13 00:00:00 | BankTrack, urgewald, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Rainforest Action Network, Reclaim Finance & Sierra Club

Open letter signed by 81 CSOs to financiers Ithaca Energy about Rosebank oil and gas field

NGO document
2024-03-19 00:00:00 | BankTrack, Stop Rosebank

2023 Climate-related Disclosures Report

Other bank document
2024-02-21 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Forestry, Fisheries & Agribusiness Risk Acceptance Criteria

Bank policy
2024-02-16 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Defence Risk Acceptance Criteria

Bank policy
2024-02-16 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Power Generation Risk Acceptance Criteria

Bank policy
2024-02-16 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Human Rights Risk Acceptance Criteria

Bank policy
2024-02-16 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Mining & Metals Risk Acceptance Criteria

Bank policy
2024-02-16 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Climate and Sustainable Funding and Financing Inclusion Criteria

Version 1.5
Bank policy
2024-02-14 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

2023 Environmental, Social and Governance Disclosures Report

Annual report
2024-02-01 00:00:00 | NatWest

2023 Annual Report

Annual report
2024-02-01 00:00:00 | NatWest

Salient Human Rights Issues

Other bank document
2023-12-31 00:00:00 | NatWest

Letter from BankTrack to NatWest Group on Ending support for metallurgical coal

Correspondence
2023-12-07 00:00:00 | BankTrack

Bankrolling the butchers

The role of UK banks in financing industrial meat and dairy corporations
Partner publication
2023-11-30 00:00:00 | Feedback

2022 Climate-related Disclosures Report

Update June 2023
Other bank document
2023-06-30 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Why banks should account for their full share of facilitated emissions

Banks are making progress on setting net-zero targets but most focus on lending and only a handful include capital markets facilitation – funding activities where banks do not provide capital themselves but play a critical role in facilitating access to it. Capital markets are a vital source of funding and will be key in delivering the low-carbon transition. In 2021 alone, global bond and equity issuances stood at US$26.8 trillion. This memo outlines why the industry-organised Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials should include a 100% weighting for capital market facilitation.
NGO document
2023-05-23 00:00:00 | ShareAction

Banking on Climate Chaos 2023

Annual Banking on Climate Chaos report follows the money and details massive bank support for the world’s worst climate-destroying corporations
BankTrack publication
2023-04-13 00:00:00 | Rainforest Action Network, BankTrack, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club, Urgewald

2022 Annual Report

Annual report
2023-02-16 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

2022 Environmental, Social and Governance Disclosures Report

Annual report
2023-02-16 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Background briefing: Just 7% of global banks' energy financing goes to renewables, new data shows

BankTrack publication
2023-01-27 00:00:00 | Profundo for Sierra Club, Fair Finance International, BankTrack, Rainforest Action Network

Human rights position statement

Bank policy
2022-12-31 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

In debt to the planet

Europe’s largest banks are not doing enough to address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
NGO document
2022-12-12 00:00:00 | ShareAction

BankTrack Global Human Rights Benchmark 2022

BankTrack publication
2022-11-17 00:00:00 | BankTrack

Responses received to letters sent to signatories of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero

Other document
2022-10-17 00:00:00 | London Stock Exchange

Banking on Climate Chaos 2022

Despite ‘net zero’ rhetoric, world’s biggest banks continued to pour billions into fossil fuel expansion in 2021
BankTrack publication
2022-03-30 00:00:00 | Rainforest Action Network, BankTrack, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club, urgewald

Annual report 2021

Annual report
2022-02-18 00:00:00 | NatWest

CSR report 2021

Annual report
2022-02-18 00:00:00 | NatWest

Code of Conduct

Bank policy
2022-02-18 00:00:00 | NatWest

Actions speak louder: Assessing bank responses to human rights violations

BankTrack publication
2021-12-14 00:00:00 | BankTrack

2021 Climate Related Disclosure Report

Annual report
2021-11-30 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Nature and biodiversity statement

Bank policy
2021-10-28 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

A practitioner's guide for banks

Considerations for banks in setting a net zero strategy
Other bank document
2021-10-04 00:00:00 | Sustainable Markets Initiative - Financial Services Taskforce

Guidance on Biodiversity Target Setting for PRB signatories

Other document
2021-06-24 00:00:00 | UNEPFI

The Big Smoke

The global emissions of the UK financial sector
NGO document
2021-05-25 00:00:00 | Greenpeace and WWF

City of Coal

The Climate Crimes of UK Finance
NGO document
2021-05-04 00:00:00 | Reclaim Finance and Urgewald

Commitment statement Net Zero Banking Alliance

Other document
2021-04-21 00:00:00 | UNEP FI Principles for Responsible Banking

Climate-related disclosures report 2020

Other bank document
2021-02-28 00:00:00

Annual report 2020

Annual report
2021-02-23 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Approach to climate change

Date listed represents date as accessed on website
Bank policy
2021-02-23 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Banking beyond deforestation

How the banking industry can help halt and reverse deforestation
Other document
2021-01-18 00:00:00 | Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Collective Commitment to Climate Action - Year One in Review

Other document
2020-12-08 00:00:00 | UNEP FI Principles for Responsible Banking

Soft Commitments, Hard Lessons: an analysis of the Soft Commodities Compact

BankTrack publication
2020-11-30 00:00:00 | BankTrack

The Banking Environment Initiative (BEI) & the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF)’s ‘Soft Commodities’ Compact

Other document
2020-11-16 00:00:00 | Banking Environment Initiative

The BEI & CGF’s ‘Soft Commodities’ Compact: Technical Guidance

Other document
2020-11-16 00:00:00 | Banking Environment Initiative

A Call to Action on the Principles for Responsible Banking: End Climate-Destructive Financing Now

Joint civil society statement
BankTrack publication
2020-10-20 00:00:00 | BankTrack, Rainforest Action Network, and others

Animal testing sector policy

Bank policy
2020-07-31 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Private security companies policy

Bank policy
2020-07-31 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

ESE risks concerns policy

Bank policy
2020-07-31 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Adult entertainment sector policy

Bank policy
2020-07-01 00:00:00 | NatWest Group

Annual report 2019

Annual report
2020-05-19 00:00:00 | RBS

Banking on Climate Change - Fossil Fuel Finance Report 2020

BankTrack publication
2020-03-18 00:00:00 | Rainforest Action Network, BankTrack, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club

The UK's dirty coal secret

$26 billion support from big four banks for international companies planning coal fleet 16 times the size of current UK capacity
BankTrack publication
2019-12-05 00:00:00 | BankTrack, urgewald, 350.org

Letter from Alison Rose, RBS CEO to Civil society on Transforming RBS into the banking sector’s climate leader

Correspondence
2019-10-17 00:00:00 | Alison Rose, RBS CEO

Civil society letter to new RBS CEO Alison Rose

NGO document
2019-09-27 00:00:00 | BankTrack

Letter from Civil society to Alison Rose on RBS ending its fossil fuel financing

Correspondence
2019-09-27 00:00:00 | Civil society

Collective Commitment to Climate Action

Other document
2019-09-19 00:00:00 | UNEP FI Principles for Responsible Banking

Statement on Tax Evasion

Bank policy
2019-05-02 00:00:00 | RBS

Annual integrated report 2018

Annual report
2019-03-11 00:00:00 | RBS

Statement on Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions Policies and Procedures

Bank policy
2019-02-04 00:00:00 | RBS

Statement on Anti-Bribery and Corruption

Bank policy
2019-02-04 00:00:00 | RBS

Letter from BankTrack and 120 organisations to RBS on Demands FBNT campaign

Correspondence
2018-10-16 00:00:00 | BankTrack and 120 organisations

Environment statement

Bank policy
2018-05-31 00:00:00 | RBS

Annual Report 2017

Annual report
2018-02-23 00:00:00 | RBS

Strategic Report 2017

Annual report
2018-02-23 00:00:00 | RBS

The Big Shift - Banks must invest our money in a cleaner future

NGO document
2017-12-07 00:00:00 | Christian Aid

Deadly Investments

UK bank complicity in Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people
NGO document
2017-07-03 00:00:00 | War on Want

Letter from BankTrack to Thun Group on concerns regarding Thun Group discussion paper on human rights

Correspondence
2017-03-14 00:00:00 | BankTrack

Annual Report 2016

Annual report
2017-02-23 00:00:00 | RBS

Comments on Thun Group of Banks Discussion Paper

on the Implications of UN Guiding Principles 13 & 17 In a Corporate and Investment Banking Context
Other document
2017-02-21 00:00:00 | Prof. John G. Ruggie

Letter from BankTrack and others to Thun Group of Banks on Significant Concerns Regarding Thun Group Discussion Paper

Correspondence
2017-02-14 00:00:00 | BankTrack and others

Protecting the Leuser Ecosystem

A Shared Responsibility
NGO document
2016-11-07 00:00:00 | Rainforest Action Network

Sustainability Report 2015

Annual report
2016-08-02 00:00:00 | RBS

Letter from BankTrack et al. to RBS on EPH financing

Correspondence
2016-07-05 00:00:00 | BankTrack et al.

Sustainable Procurement Code

Bank policy
2016-06-26 00:00:00 | RBS

Shorting the Climate

Fossil Fuel Finance Report Card 2016
BankTrack publication
2016-06-14 00:00:00 | BankTrack, Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club, Oil Change International

Green Paper, Red Lines

Requirements for pulp and paper industry finance
BankTrack publication
2016-06-02 00:00:00 | BankTrack, Environmental Paper Network

RBS Coal Bank Briefing 2016

BankTrack publication
2016-05-03 00:00:00 | BankTrack, Move Your Money UK

Annual Report and Accounts 2015

Annual report
2016-02-25 00:00:00 | Royal Bank of Scotland

Annual Results for the year ended 31 December 2015

Annual report
2016-01-31 00:00:00 | Royal Bank of Scotland

RBS Coal Bank Briefing 2015

BankTrack publication
2015-09-08 00:00:00 | BankTrack

Our energy financing of the energy sector in 2014

RBS Sustainability Briefing
Other bank document
2015-09-03 00:00:00 | RBS

The end of coal?

2015 Coal Finance Report Card
BankTrack publication
2015-05-04 00:00:00 | BankTrack, Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club

Sustainability Report 2014

Annual report
2015-04-29 00:00:00 | Royal Bank of Scotland

Annual Report and Accounts 2014

Contains reporting on sustainability
Annual report
2015-02-25 00:00:00 | Royal Bank of Scotland

Letter from EPN to Banks investing in April on APRIL

Correspondence
2014-12-10 00:00:00 | EPN

Banking on Coal 2014

BankTrack publication
2014-10-29 00:00:00 | BankTrack

Smaller, Greener Banking

Banking for Sustainability in a New Scotland
NGO document
2014-08-19 00:00:00 | Friends of the Earth Scotland

RBS Sustainability Review 2013

Annual report
2014-04-14 00:00:00 | RBS

Our financing of the energy sector in 2013

RBS Sustainability Briefing
Other bank document
2014-04-14 00:00:00 | RBS

Annual Report and Accounts 2013

Annual report
2014-01-01 00:00:00 | Royal Bank of Scotland

Banking while Borneo burns

How the UK financial sector is bankrolling Indonesia's fossil fuel boom
NGO document
2013-09-30 00:00:00 | World Development Movement

RBS’s true carbon emissions 2012

NGO document
2013-08-27 00:00:00 | Global Justice Now

The Cerrejón mine - Coal exploitation in Colombia

NGO document
2013-05-01 00:00:00 | World Development Movement

Coal Risk Update March 2013

Arch Coal, Blair Mountain, and Bank Human Rights Commitments
BankTrack publication
2013-03-07 00:00:00 | Rainforest Action Network, BankTrack

Our financing of the energy sector in 2012

RBS Sustainability Briefing
Other bank document
2012-12-31 00:00:00 | RBS

Agenda Group Sustainability Committee Stakeholder Engagement Session: Corporate Citizenship

Other document
2012-03-28 00:00:00 | RBS

Bankrolling climate change

A look into the portfolios of the world`s largest banks
BankTrack publication
2011-11-30 00:00:00 | urgewald, BankTrack, Groundwork

RBS Cluster Munitions Investments

Other document
2011-05-25 00:00:00 | Netwerk Vlaanderen & IKV Pax Christi

A Risky Business: Tar Sands, Indigenous Rights and RBS

NGO document
2011-04-14 00:00:00 | Canadian Indigenous Tar Sands Campaign and UK Tar Sands Network

Dirty Money - Corporate greenwash and RBS coal finance

NGO document
2011-03-21 00:00:00 | Platform

Letter from BankTrack to EPFIs on issues around Equator Principles Review process

Correspondence
2010-12-18 00:00:00 | Banktrack

International thief thief

NGO document
2010-10-11 00:00:00 | Global Witness

Where did our money go?

Other document
2010-10-04 00:00:00 | New Economics Foundation

A bank for the future: maximizing public investment in a low-carbon economy

NGO document
2010-07-26 00:00:00 | James Leaton

Letter from Platform et al. to RBS on CEO meeting

Correspondence
2010-05-17 00:00:00 | Platform et al.

Close the Gap

Benchmarking investment policies of international banks
BankTrack publication
2010-04-27 00:00:00 | BankTrack

RBS cluster munitions investments

Other document
2010-04-01 00:00:00 | Netwerk Vlaanderen, IKV PAX Christi

Cashing in on tar sands, RBS, UK banks and Canada’s “blood oil”

NGO document
2010-03-01 00:00:00 | Platform et al.

Letter to Alistair Darling about one year public finance for RBS

Correspondence
2009-11-28 00:00:00 | Platform et al.

NGO letter to dutch parliament about RBS

NGO document
2009-10-26 00:00:00 | Platform

Royal Bank of Sustainability

NGO document
2009-10-20 00:00:00 | Platform, World Development Movement, People & Planet, FoE Scotland, BankTrack

Letter from RBS top dutch parliament about sustainability

Correspondence
2009-10-15 00:00:00 | RBS

RBS cluster munitions financing

Other document
2009-10-01 00:00:00 | Netwerk Vlaanderen et. al.

Worldwide investments in CLUSTER MUNITIONS, a shared responsibility

NGO document
2009-10-01 00:00:00 | Netwerk Vlaanderen, et. al.

Cashing in on coal: RBS, UK banks and the global coal industry

NGO document
2008-08-01 00:00:00 | Platform

Profiles of European Banks

NGO document
2008-01-11 00:00:00 | Ceres

The Oil & Gas Bank - RBS & the financing of climate change

NGO document
2007-03-12 00:00:00 | Platform
Accountability
Grievances
Response tracking

NatWest Group does not operate a complaints channel for individuals and communities that may be adversely affected by its finance. However, customers can make a complaint via the online form here, whereas stakeholders may raise complaints via the OECD National Contact Points (see OECD Watch guidance).

NatWest Group is an Equator Principles signatory. While the Equator Principles have no official grievance mechanism, complaints relating to this bank's financing of Equator Principles projects can be filed through our own website www.equator-complaints.org.

This page evaluates NatWest Group's responses to instances of alleged human rights violations linked to its finance, raised by civil society organisations. It is not intended to be exhaustive, but covers selected impacts raised by BankTrack and other civil society partners since 2016. For the full scoring methodology, see here. For more information about BankTrack's evaluation of bank responses to human rights impacts, see the 2021 report "Actions speak louder: assessing bank responses to human rights violations".

Impacts reviewed
Responded?
Total score
Response
Action
Monitoring
Don't Buy into Occupation report (November 2022)
0
0
0
0
Dodgy Deal profile
Response
0
Out of 1
Rationale for score
The bank did not respond.
Action
0
Out of 1
Rationale for score
No information available on whether the bank engaged with its client or took appropriate action.
Monitoring
0
Out of 1
Rationale for score
No information to indicate the bank is monitoring the actions of its clients, or actions it might itself have taken in response to the impacts raised.
More info
"Don't Buy Into Occupation" report, November 2022
Banks and Dirty Diesel: Vitol and Trafigura (May 2017)
0
0
0
0
Dodgy Deal profile
Response
0
Out of 1
Rationale for score
The bank publicly responded stating that the bank "do not comment on individual customers".
Action
0
Out of 1
Rationale for score
No information available on whether the bank engaged with its client or took appropriate action.
Monitoring
0
Out of 1
Rationale for score
No information available on whether the bank monitored progress.
More info
BankTrack Human Rights Briefing, May 2017
Banks profiting from the construction and hotel boom in Qatar (November 2022)
0
0
0
0
Dodgy Deal profile
Response
0
Out of 1
Rationale for score
The bank responded publicly but did not speak to the substance of the issues raised nor did it acknowledge a link to the impacts raised; rather, it referenced its relevant human rights policies and procedures.
Action
0
Out of 1
Rationale for score
The bank does not indicate whether it plans to engage or has already engaged its clients or investee companies on this issue.
Monitoring
0
Out of 1
Rationale for score
No information to indicate the bank is monitoring the actions of its clients, or actions it might itself have taken in response to the impacts raised.
More info
"No Questions Asked: Profiting from the construction and hotel boom in Qatar " report, November 2023
Average
67%
0
0
0
0
Banks and Climate

Banks and Climate

The 2024 Banking on Climate Chaos report showed that NatWest provided US$ 27.407 Billion in financing to the fossil fuel industry between 2016 and 2023. In 2023 only, NatWest provided US$ 376 Million for oil, gas and coal companies expanding fossil fuels. Find further details on NatWest fossil fuel portfolio and how it compares to other large banks globally on Fossil Banks No Thanks and in the Banking on Climate Chaos report.

Fossil fuel finance data NatWest Group

Banking on Climate Chaos fossil fuel finance data

Partner organisation Reclaim Finance tracks the coal, oil and gas policies of financial institutions, including banks, in their Coal Policy Tool (CPT) and the Oil and Gas Policy Tracker (OGPT). BankTrack works closely with Reclaim Finance and endorses their policy assessments. Find further details on their assessment of NatWest Group's fossil fuel policy below.

Assessment of NatWest Group coal policy in the Coal Policy Tool

Assessment of NatWest Group oil and gas policy in the Oil and Gas Policy Tracker

False Solutions Tracker

BankLast update
Country
Wind Energy
Solar Energy
Geothermal Energy
Ocean Energy
Energy grids and storage
Hydropower
Hydrogen
Solid Biomass
Biofuels
CCUS
Nuclear Power
Details
NatWest
2025-03-26
GBR
Explanation

The purpose of the False Solutions Tracker is to give a clear overview of energy technologies that fall under banks' individual sustainable finance commitments. The tracker lists 11 energy technologies that are usually associated with the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the economy. These technologies are defined here and classified in three categories:

  1. Real solutions: Technologies that deliver on a Just Transition towards Energy Democracy. BankTrack considers these technologies as real solutions only if and when they do deliver Energy Democracy.

  2. Solutions under strict conditions: Energy technologies that could be real solutions if they deliver on a Just Transition towards Energy Democracy but that could also be false solutions. This is the case of hydrogen and hydropower. On one hand, fossil-free and green hydrogen could be a real solution under certain conditions. However, fossil-based hydrogen and nuclear hydrogen are always false solutions. On the other hand, hydropower lifespan extension could also be a real solution under strict conditions while hydropower expansion is a false solution.

  3. False solutions: Energy technologies that are not aligned with a just transition towards Energy Democracy.

For each one of the 11 energy technologies, the tracker indicates if it is included in bank's individual sustainable finance commitments:

 

For Real solutions:

  • ​​: Yes, the bank includes its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting.
  • ​: Yes, the bank includes its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting, but under certain conditions. In this case, those conditions are mentioned in the "relevant policy document" section for each bank.
  • ​: No, the bank does not include its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting.
  • ​ : It is unclear whether the bank includes or not its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting.

 

For solutions under strict conditions and for false solutions:

  • ​: Yes, the bank includes its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting.
  • ​: Yes, the bank includes its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting, but under certain conditions. In this case, those conditions are mentioned in the "relevant policy document" section for each bank.
  • ​: No, the bank does not include its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting.
  • ​: It is unclear whether the bank includes or not its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting.

False Solutions Tracker expansion

BankLast update
Country
Wind Energy
Solar Energy
Geothermal Energy
Ocean Energy
Energy grids and storage
Hydropower
Hydrogen
Solid Biomass
Biofuels
CCUS
Nuclear Power
Details
NatWest
2025-03-26
GBR
Explanation

The purpose of the False Solutions Tracker is to give a clear overview of energy technologies that fall under banks' individual sustainable finance commitments. The tracker lists 11 energy technologies that are usually associated with the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the economy. These technologies are defined here and classified in three categories:

  1. Real solutions: Technologies that deliver on a Just Transition towards Energy Democracy. BankTrack considers these technologies as real solutions only if and when they do deliver Energy Democracy.

  2. Solutions under strict conditions: Energy technologies that could be real solutions if they deliver on a Just Transition towards Energy Democracy but that could also be false solutions. This is the case of hydrogen and hydropower. On one hand, fossil-free and green hydrogen could be a real solution under certain conditions. However, fossil-based hydrogen and nuclear hydrogen are always false solutions. On the other hand, hydropower lifespan extension could also be a real solution under strict conditions while hydropower expansion is a false solution.

  3. False solutions: Energy technologies that are not aligned with a just transition towards Energy Democracy.

For each one of the 11 energy technologies, the tracker indicates if it is included in bank's individual sustainable finance commitments:

 

For Real solutions:

  • ​​: Yes, the bank includes its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting.
  • ​: Yes, the bank includes its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting, but under certain conditions. In this case, those conditions are mentioned in the "relevant policy document" section for each bank.
  • ​: No, the bank does not include its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting.
  • ​ : It is unclear whether the bank includes or not its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting.

 

For solutions under strict conditions and for false solutions:

  • ​: Yes, the bank includes its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting.
  • ​: Yes, the bank includes its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting, but under certain conditions. In this case, those conditions are mentioned in the "relevant policy document" section for each bank.
  • ​: No, the bank does not include its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting.
  • ​: It is unclear whether the bank includes or not its finance towards this energy technology in its sustainable finance reporting.
For more details see this page.
Banks and Human Rights

Banks and Human Rights

BankTrack assessed NatWest in its 2024 Global Human Rights Benchmark, where it achieved 6.5 points out of 15 and was ranked as a “follower”. 

The bank scored 0 out of 3 points on the new “specific rights indicators”, which assess how banks address human rights defenders, Indigenous Peoples’ right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent and environmental rights in their policies and practices. 

In addition, NatWest scored 0 out of 3 on how it responds to alleged human rights violations linked to its finance, which were raised by civil society organisations. More information is detailed in the “Accountability” section of this profile.

The BankTrack Human Rights Benchmark

The table below shows BankTrack's assessment of how NatWest has implemented the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Please click on 'expand all details' and 'explanation' for further information on the methodology.

Our policy assessments are always a work in progress. We very much welcome any feedback, especially from banks included in the assessments. Please get in touch at humanrights@banktrack.org.

Global Human Rights Benchmark 2022

BankLast update
Country
Score
Ranking
Details
NatWest Group
GBR
4.5
Follower 4.5
Explanation
Laggard
Follower
Front runner
Leader
0 - 3 points
3.5 - 6.5 points
7 - 10 points
10.5 - 14 points
For more details see this page.

Global Human Rights Benchmark 2024

BankLast update
Country
Score
Ranking
Details
NatWest Group
GBR
6.5
Follower 6.5
Explanation
Laggard
Follower
Moderate achiever
Leader
0 - 3 points
3.5 - 7 points
7.5 - 10.5 points
11 - 15 points
For more details see this page.
Tracking the NZBA

Tracking the Net Zero Banking Alliance

NatWest Group is a member of the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) and has therefore committed to reduce its financed emissions to net zero by 2050; within 18 months of joining the alliance set interim targets for 2030 (or sooner) for high emission priority sectors, and within 36 months set further sector targets; set new intermediary targets every 5 years from 2030 onwards; annually publish data on emissions and progress against a transition strategy including climate-related sectoral policies; and take a robust approach to the role of offsets in transition plans. BankTrack track's implementation of these commitments in the NZBA compliance tracker.

Tracking NZBA banks commitments
Banks and Steel

Banks and Steel

Partner organisation Reclaim Finance’s 2023 report on metallurgical coal financing showed that NatWest provided US$ 2.8 billion in loans and underwriting to developers of new metallurgical coal between 2016 and 2022. Find further details on NatWest’s metallurgical coal financing and and how it compares to other large banks globally in the report.

Reclaim Finance tracks the metallurgical coal policies of financial institutions, including banks, in their Coal Policy Tool. BankTrack works closely with Reclaim Finance and endorses their policy assessments. Find further details on their assessment of NatWest’s metallurgical coal policy below.

Metallurgical Coal Financing: Time to call it off 2023

Coal policy tool
Good Moves

Good moves

Year:

2020

Civil society groups welcome Royal Bank of Scotland preparing to exit fossil fuels

BankTrack, Rainforest Action Network, Reclaim Finance and ShareAction welcome the announcement by Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) of ambitious new climate targets and a set of policy measures that, if fully implemented, will see the bank move well ahead of its peers towards taking up its responsibility in tackling the climate…

2019

Royal Bank of Scotland joins growing number of financial institutions rejecting Arctic Refuge drilling

Today, the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) released an updated Environmental, Social and Ethical (ESE) risk management framework that rules out financing for oil and gas drilling or exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  The new framework prohibits project-specific lending for “projects…

2015

Climate breakthrough as string of banks dump coal financing

In May, Bank of America and Crédit Agricole became the first major banks to announce plans to stop financing coal mining. These announcements marked a hugely significant win and a breakthrough moment in the fight to end financing for the coal industry. The second half of 2015, in the run-up to the…

2014

More US and European Banks step back from Mountaintop Removal

In 2013, BNP Paribas pledged to cut financing for top producers of mountaintop removal coal. In spring 2014, JPMorgan Chase updated its environmental policy committing to aggressively reduce its financing relationships with mountaintop removal coal mining companies. And in April 2014, Royal Bank of Scotland followed suit,…

Thun Group of Banks agrees to consider remedy for victims of human rights abuse

In 2013 the seven-strong Thun Group of Banks' produced a discussion paper on banks' responsibilities under new UN human rights guidelines. BankTrack's response to the paper highlighted that the banks had failed to address their responsibility to provide access to remedy to victims of human rights abuses. After…

Nine of the world's top 20 funders of coal won't touch additional coal terminals at Abbot Point

In 2014, JP Morgan, Cit, Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland all responded to a worldwide pressure campaign of NGOs, including Banktrack, urgewald, Greenpeace and Market Forces, by announcing that they would not help finance the expansion of the Abbot Point coal terminal in Australia. While ANZ and others remain tied to…

2008

Platform's "Oyal Bank of Scotland" campaign forces concessions

Together with the UK student network People & Planet and the National Union of Students, Platform's "Oyal Bank of Scotland" campaign led to thousands of postcards being signed, stickers put up, and student demonstrations focused on the climate impacts of RBS financing fossil fuels. Following the campaign, RBS stopped…