Explore EHN
Your gateway to environmental health knowledge
Join the Environmental Health News community
Stay on top of the latest science and journalism about environmental health and climate change: Sign up for our daily and weekly newsletters.
The world’s largest climate-focused banking coalition has voted to weaken its emissions targets, loosening rules to accommodate the sluggish pace of economic and policy change since 2021.
Virginia Furness reports for Reuters.
In short:
Key quote:
“The knowledge we had in 2021 on what was achievable … has been very different than where we are today.”
— Shargiil Bashir, chief sustainability officer and executive vice president at First Abu Dhabi Bank
Why this matters:
Financial institutions control trillions of dollars that shape the direction of global development, energy, and infrastructure. Their climate targets influence whether money flows into fossil fuels or clean energy, whether new buildings are net-zero or outdated, and whether innovation in sectors like aviation and housing can scale. When leading banks relax their climate rules, it signals a retreat from the urgency laid out by scientists who say 1.5°C is a critical threshold for avoiding the worst climate damages. Critics argue the decision could slow the momentum needed to transition global economies away from fossil fuels.
Read more: Major U.S. banks drop out of climate pledge, raising calls for regulation
Get top news, hand-picked by our editors and researchers, delivered straight to your inbox. We offer a host of daily and weekly options.
As a nonprofit, independent publication, we're dedicated to objective journalism and driving science-based discussions on crucial topics like climate change and public health.
Learn more about our commitment to integrity and diversity while staying informed about pressing environmental issues.
Nonprofit organizations MADE SAFE and Plastic Pollution Coalition released the new Healthy Pregnancy Guideto help parents-to-be navigate the challenges of making healthier living choices for babies and the planet.
Environmental Health News
Your support of EHN, a newsroom powered by Environmental Health Sciences, drives science into public discussions. When you support our work, you support impactful journalism. It all improves the health of our communities. Thank you!