Moving from Theory to Climate Action

❓ Does making progress on sustainability feel like trying to go up a down escalator? That's how it can be for people working hard in companies, addressing carbon emissions in their supply chains, only to see that their organisation's 💰💰 money - invested through the financial system - might produce more emissions than everything they do. When the Carbon Bankroll was released two years ago, it opened people's eyes to the connections between the cash held by companies and the climate impacts through the financial system. Paul Polman described it as "One of the biggest levers companies have". Jessica Hyman of global software company Atlassian reflected on it being "a wake-up call” and, along with other business leaders, has made progress since becoming aware. 🔈🔈 It's now time for STEP 2. The Carbon Bankroll 2.0 released this week by Topo Finance is all about moving awareness to action. https://lnkd.in/ewZknZpz The report covers: ⏩ Leading companies, like Atlassian Patagonia and Seventh Generation taking action, engaging with their banks and financial partners. Just 25 companies hold $1trillion of cash and investments, with non-financial institutions in the US alone holding $7trillion ⏩ The reasons why banks are so influential in shaping the future of the real economy, and how influential companies and clients can be in driving change in a positive direction. ❗We now need clear demand signals from organisations who are major customers of the financial system. We've already seen: 💥 Major universities led by University of Cambridge and major charities like Christian Aid changing their banks to align with climate goals. 💥 Globally systemically important banks like Danske Bank change their policies to end finance for companies expanding fossil fuels. And we're starting to see: 🌐 Corporate Treasurers, Strategy and Finance Directors start to link up more with their Sustainability & Climate counterparts 🌐 New conversations on how green financial products can be designed to make a real difference. If you're in an organisation, you might find these resources good places to start: 📗 The original report: https://lnkd.in/eRvZ2C2Q (produced together with Climate Safe Lending Network and BankFWD) 📗 The Greening Cash Action Guide (produced together with Exponential Roadmap Initiative) https://lnkd.in/eWzwdVsC And consider these steps next: 1: Create internal alignment (Finance, meet Sustainability) 2: Evaluate the financial supply chain (the methods are there) 3. Calculate the carbon footprint (Topo Finance can help) 4: Engage with your financial partners (time for some frank conversations) 5: Prioritise green products (which make a real difference) 6: Shift money (if your bank doesn't change, then you can change banks) 7. Create and share status, targets, and progress (system change is a shared adventure)

If your business isn’t prepared to disrupt itself for our planet, the planet will disrupt your business. At a UNGA Goals House panel, industry leaders didn’t mince words. They laid out bold, transformative strategies for businesses that want to survive and thrive in the era of climate action. Sharing key takeaways herein: 1. A unified approach to financial and non-financial data: This aims to normalize carbon accounting, making it as central to decision-making as revenue or costs. Imagine if every business prioritized emissions and nature/biodiversity data the way they prioritize profit. 2. Big Tech as Energy Producers: Major tech companies are some of the world’s largest energy consumers, especially with the growth of AI and quantum computing. But what if they became leaders in the renewable energy transition? With their purchasing power, these tech giants have the potential to not just consume clean energy but to drive investment in it. This could be a tipping point for clean energy on a global scale. 3. Embedding Sustainability in Culture + Incentives: Some organizations are making it clear—sustainability must be woven into the fabric of an entire company; it’s about aligning incentives, from leadership to frontline employees, with emissions reduction and climate goals. When sustainability is tied to performance and compensation, it moves from a “nice to have” to a business-critical priority. 4. Transforming (Not Just Improving) Supply Chains: One company highlighted the need to stop thinking about incremental improvements and start reimagining supply chains entirely. True climate action might mean disrupting long-standing relationships or processes, but it’s this willingness to drive systemic transformation that’s necessary for real progress. 5. Regulation vs. Transformation: Regulations are powerful, but transformation plays an essential role in creating long term value. The insight shared was balancing the power of markets and transformation with the need for regulatory frameworks to drive widespread adoption. This was notably one of the most provocative debates in the room. 6. Tackling the “Too Big to Solve” Mindset: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of climate challenges, but the panelists were optimistic. Their message? Even the biggest sustainability problems can be solved with ambition, innovation, and collaboration. From decarbonizing heavy industry to reshaping supply chains, the key is to break these challenges into actionable steps and leverage the power of digital technologies to make progress. Businesses need to think bigger, act faster, and integrate sustainability at every level. How is your organization addressing these challenges? Let’s connect and share strategies on how we can drive meaningful, systemic change together. #Sustainability #SupplyChain #Innovation

Putting in the Real Work: Execution Over Optics It’s time to have a serious and necessary conversation about what truly drives impact—and it starts with execution. Too often, discussions around funding, climate finance, or sustainability initiatives lean heavily toward the spending side of the equation. But without a clear, committed focus on project-specific execution and actionable events, all the capital in the world will fall short. Participation alone is not enough. What’s needed is dedication to the work—the kind of work that requires time, discipline, technical rigor, and above all, follow-through. Creating a viable and transparent trading mechanism—whether it’s carbon, energy, or environmental assets—demands more than financial interest. It requires: • Project-specific planning • Real-time execution metrics • Accountability in the field • Alignment across stakeholders • And most importantly—commitment beyond convenience To focus solely on funding without infrastructure, without participation, without boots on the ground—is not just shortsighted, it’s a model of self-interest over shared progress. We need more builders. More executors. More leaders who are ready to stay the course, navigate complexity, and deliver results that speak louder than intentions. Stay focused. Avoid distractions. Drive outcomes. The future will be shaped by those who show up—not just in boardrooms, but in the field. #ExecutionMatters #ClimateAction #FundingWithPurpose #RealImpact #TradingMechanism #SustainabilityWithIntegrity #AccountabilityAndAction