On February 10, the non-profit organization promoting responsible investment ShareAction said that European banks risked the path to the level. carbon emissions zero and grow recycled energyunless they stop funding new oil and gas fields directly this year.
ShareAction — which brings together investors in more than $1.5 trillion in wealth management — said it made the request in letters sent to the heads of major financial groups such as Barclays, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, Deutsche Bank and Societe Generale this week.
The organization said investor signatories include Aegon Asset Management, La Française Asset Management and the UK Local Government Pension Scheme.
[EU cạnh tranh với Mỹ, Trung Quốc trong lĩnh vực năng lượng sạch]
According to ShareAction, the aforementioned five banks and the UK’s HSBC are ranked as Europe’s biggest financiers driving leading oil and gas companies to expand production from 2016 to 2021.
However, HSBC said in December 2022 that it would stop direct financing of new oil and gas fields, following the trend with other banks.
Jeanne Martin, ShareAction Banking Program Manager, said: “Investors are informing these banks that they will face increasing pressure if they do not act soon to end the source. finance the exploitation of new oil and gas fields.”
A Barclays spokesperson said the bank believes it can make the biggest difference by partnering with customers as they transition to a low-carbon economy.
BNP Paribas said it unveiled new goals last month to “accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy,” including ending funding for new oil and gas exploration and production and cutting reduce exposure to the gas sector.
Credit Agricole said it has ended funding for new oil projects and it plans to reach its goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.
Although banks have tightened lending criteria for fossil fuel projects as part of their pledge to cut carbon emissions to zero by 2050, environmental groups say know they are doing too little and too late.
In 2021, the International Energy Agency (IEA) emphasized that in order to achieve net zero emissions by mid-century, financial corporations must not invest in oil and gas supply projects. and new coal.
Minh Trang (VNA/Vietnam+)