Move your money

CASE FOR CHANGE

Rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) is wholly dependent on the movement of money away from harmful industries and into the zero-carbon economy. Governments, regulators & businesses have shown themselves unwilling or unable to act but are likely to move into a permissive environment once created.

the background

Our work aims to achieve this by leveraging the global health economy. Whilst only accounting for 5.2% of global emissions [i], the direct health economy employs 157m healthcare workers and represents 10.34% of World Domestic Product (WDP) [ii] and more if healthcare capital investment, the consumer supply chain and social care, are included. These systems are also ‘power hungry’ and interdigitate across finance, manufacturing and food, including respective supply chains. Moving the money in this ecosystem, both that of individuals and organisations has the potential to leverage change at the pace and scale we need, throughout the global economy.

This is possible. Those in the health economy, by definition, wish to benefit humanity through their activity. They cannot accept death as ‘collateral damage’. They need an organisation to bring ‘all players’ to the table, providing structure for, and coordination of, action. Real Zero is that organisation.

As much as 80% of global primary energy consumption is fossil fuel by source (coal, oil and natural gas). Consequently, the most significant barrier to addressing climate and economic destruction is the fossil fuel industry.

The existing capacity of fossil fuel reserves already exceed the Paris 1.5℃. Despite this, investment plans for production of fossil fuel resources by the largest national oil companies (NOC) and international oil companies (IOC) create emissions far exceeding levels compliant with the Paris agreement; on average +39% IOCs and 37% NOCs.[iii]

Increasing investment in renewable energy is starting to create greater capacity for the provision of renewables. The IEA reports that “Comparing our estimates for 2023 with the data for 2021, annual clean energy investment has risen much faster than investment in fossil fuels over this period (24% vs 15%).[iv] The financing of fossil fuels continues to increase the reserves and therefore consumption that has led to the breakdown in our planet’s climate. The leading fossil fuel company for investment in renewables only invests 2.3% of total capital expenditure.[v]

More significant is the distribution of cash by the fossil fuel industry over 14 years up to 2022, which shows that capital investment in fossil fuels is reducing, however this is largely spent on dividends to shareholders and debt repayment. This suggests that renewable energy remains a peripheral investment for the industry whilst profits in fossil fuels remain buoyant.

Our Objectives

To move funding away from those investing in current and further fossil fuel capacity that threatens the existence of our planet. To instead fund a low carbon economy to both tackle the challenge of drawing down the emissions already damaging our environment and also to create economic security and prosperity.

WHY WE ARE DOING THIS?

To limit the existing emissions to as close to Real Zero as possible and eliminate the emissions in our atmosphere to prevent the catastrophic weather and economic events that threaten the future of our planet.

HOW WE DO THIS?

We are providing structure, coordination and agency for individuals and organisations to move their money to green banking at pace. With a deep expertise in scientific research and partnering with industry experts, we are engaging the workforce of the organisations that operate across the healthcare economy. Our work will support independent healthcare providers, the NHS, Royal Colleges, medical societies and Pharma to make this transition in a safe and low-risk fashion.

THE IMPACT

Reduce the funding available to fossil fuel investment by reducing the facilities that banks can offer as a result of switching banking and investments to ethical institutions. It is estimated that the average life-duration of a bank account is worth up to £1.5m to a bank.

By moving your bank account and influencing your friends, family and peers to do the same can have a dramatic impact on the continued investment in fossil fuels.