‘I am in awe of the approach taken today’: Over 150 bankers & campaigners attend Catalysing Bank Climate Action report launch
Jacqueline Lim is Fellowship Programme Manager - responsible for designing and launching the Climate Safe Lending Fellowship in conjunction with the Climate Safe Lending Network and the Finance Innovation Lab. Here, Jacqueline shares her write-up from the launch event for Catalysing Bank Climate Action: Lessons from the inside.
On 29 June 2022, the Climate Safe Lending Network (CSLN) and the Finance Innovation Lab (FIL) were joined by over 150 attendees from across the globe for the launch of our pioneering new report, Catalysing Bank Climate Action: Lessons from the inside. The report features key insights from our inaugural Climate Safe Lending Fellowship 2021/2022.
Attendees had a unique opportunity to hear directly from report co-authors, Lydia Hascott (Head of Intrapreneurship, FIL), Natalie Tucker (Fellowship Manager, FIL), and James Vaccaro (Executive Director, CSLN).
The event gave attendees the opportunity to be inspired by one of our 2021/2022 Fellows, who reflected on their personal experience on the Fellowship programme. They also shared the strategies they successfully deployed to facilitate a network of engaged colleagues to drive climate action across their bank.
The webinar provided a safe space for bankers and campaigners alike to learn about key barriers and enablers faced by climate intrapreneurs working internally to advance the transition to climate safe lending in their banks. Attendees were also given the opportunity to experience ‘Theory U’ first-hand - one of the key tools that Fellows worked with during the Fellowship.
Theory U - The Presencing Institute
In pausing to reflect on what was surfacing for them about the role they play in bank climate action - regardless of whether they worked inside or outside a bank - attendees shared the following responses:
“From the outside, the most effective thing I can do is support lobbying for regulation.”
“How do I build this into our strategic plan, build allies and educate the bank?”
“Individuals need to go on a ‘purpose journey’ first to build the right mindsets”
“[This is an] opportunity for me to improve at listening empathetically and figuring out personalized ways to communicate why climate work is important”
“How, as a campaigning organization, to scale the number of intrapreneurs at a bank and expand their impact, particularly when a big bank has 50,000+ employees?”
“How do we reconcile the bigger, long-term task of totally transforming banks’ culture with the urgent need for them to make the right decisions on lending to high-carbon industries?”
If you missed the webinar, you can access the webinar recording and slides, along with the report and other resources here. Or find out more about the Climate Safe Lending Fellowship - applications are now open for the next cohort, deadline 26 September.
Apply Now: Applications open for 22/23 Climate Safe Lending Fellowship programme
The ground-breaking six-month leadership development programme for banking professionals advancing the climate agenda within their institutions is back – don’t miss your chance to access unique sector insights, develop new tools, and learn new skills alongside committed, like-minded peers.
In 2021 alone, the world’s 60 largest banks provided more finance to fossil fuels than in 2016 – the year the Paris Climate Agreement was signed. Yet there are passionate and committed individuals working inside banks who envision a banking sector that finances a just and regenerative economy – one that addresses the intersecting ecological and social breakdowns interconnected with the climate crisis. These banking professionals recognise that their institutions and sector require transformation to realise this vision and are working tirelessly to enable this from the inside out. We call them ‘climate intrapreneurs’.
The first ever cohort of the Climate Safe Lending Fellowship was truly pioneering. 23 Fellows from 20 banks based across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East developed the capability to lead change from within their institutions. Holding roles from Vice President to Executive Officer, Fellows also uncovered new insights on what enables banks to transition more rapidly toward financing a just and regenerative future (read more about those insights here).
“The CSL Fellowship was transformative and unlike any professional development experience that I have participated in. When asked to describe the experience, I jokingly called it “group therapy for sustainability professionals”. But in reality, the workshops are designed for introspection, evaluation and the development of new connections, tools and insights about the critical work that we are all doing. I am taking with me a feeling of empowerment, clarity and a true feeling of fellowship with my cohort.”
CSL Fellow 21/22
Today, the Climate Safe Lending Network and the Finance Innovation Lab are delighted to announce that applications are now being accepted for the second cohort of the Fellowship.
The CSL Fellowship is designed to develop the internal talent in banking to embed and advance climate action within their institutions. Fellows will access sector insights and emerging new practice in climate finance. They will leave the programme with new tools, skills and multi-stakeholder networks gained in a pre-competitive, collaborative environment.
The programme is for committed climate advocates who are currently employed by a bank, and are working to accelerate climate action in their institutions. It takes place between December 2022 – May 2023 (6 months), with an average time commitment of up to one day per month. The programme is fully virtual.
To find out more about the programme and apply, click here.
If you would like to hear directly from the Fellowship programme team, join our first Taster Session on Monday 11 July – sign up here.