Banks and building societies

Banks have tremendous power at their disposal when it comes to tackling climate change and protecting the environment. By saving your money in a more eco-friendly bank you are giving them more power to invest in good causes and the best part is you don't have to change your habits. Your money will help people and planet just by sitting there in your account.

Triodos tops our list of eco-friendly banks because they finance only companies, organisations and projects with a positive effect on people, the environment and culture. The bank was founded with the expressed purpose of being "green", and to date they have fulfilled that role diligently.

Currently, Triodos do not have physical branches and their accounts cost £3 per month. If either of these are deal-breakers for you, try one of the two banks below.

Nationwide doesn't invest in, or lend money to, the fossil fuel industry. They are transparent about the carbon emissions associated with their activities and have been clear about their ambitions to reduce them. They're also a member of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance. They're a great choice for anyone who wants an ethical bank account with a trusted high-street name.

The Co-operative Bank proudly wears the label of an "ethical bank" and they do not invest in fossil fuels. They have pledged to become carbon neutral in future and to step-up recycling so that they send zero waste to landfill.

They come third on this list because some of their shareholders are not as ethically-minded as the bank itself (but joining them will still help the planet more than most other banks!)