Connecting to nature

As someone with a deep connection to nature, I find it encouraging that the solution to many of our problems - be it climate change, air pollution or poor mental health – can be found in the restoration of natural ecosystems. In the UK, we leave precious little space to nature and wildlife.

This year, we backed the South West’s largest new woodland in decades, being established by charity Avon Needs Trees. The plans include establishing a new forest of 100,000 trees and shrubs and the creation of complementary habitats, including wetlands, miles of hedgerow and species-rich grassland. 

We’ve also completed our first private sector loan linked to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for Nature Impact continuing our leadership on nature-based investment.

We hope to do much more in this area and have announced a commitment across Europe to provide at least €500 million to the nature-based solutions sector by the end of 2030.

Advocating for change

We remain at the forefront of advocating for change in the financial system. 

The impact of tipping points - those thresholds where small changes trigger cascading, often irreversible shifts - call for awareness and adaptability in every lending and investment decision. It is no longer enough to simply avoid funding harmful practices. What makes us unique is that we are actively supporting those building a better tomorrow – in renewable energy, healthcare, nature restoration, social housing and more.

In 2025, we reach the midpoint in this critical ‘climate decade’. The world is far removed from a regenerative economy. Changing our economic systems is both necessary and  an inescapable need. Triodos Bank has become the first bank to publicly support the call for a post-growth transition.

And this year, we have been a vocal supporter of the proposed Climate & Nature (CAN) Bill, galvanising more than 70 businesses in Bristol to support new legislation to tackle the dual climate and nature crises.

We are working hard to demonstrate how banks can enable transformation through our ‘Stories of Transformative Impact’ - showcasing how we've had to think and act outside of norms and enable impact by adjusting our approach or applying our expertise to new business models or sectors. So far, we have featured Jamie’s Farm, Cafédirect and Oxygen Conservation – and more will follow.

Improving our products and services

Evolving our products and improving the experience our customers have when they bank with us remains a priority. Following the introduction of a new Visa debit card this year, I’m delighted that we will start to link with popular mobile contactless payment providers for our personal current account early in 2025.

We have made over 30 changes to our mobile banking app to improve what it can do for customers, with more improvements (including the rollout of chat capability) planned.

New accounts for children will also be available early next year and we will begin accepting applications for new business savings accounts.

Celebrating our heritage

In October, I announced I would step down as Chief Executive next year, during my 10th year leading Triodos Bank UK. I'm hugely grateful for the support of our customers and co-workers over this time, and immensely proud of all we have achieved.

In 2025, we will celebrate 30 years of Triodos Bank delivering impact in the UK. This provides a unique moment to both celebrate our heritage and look ahead to the future, with the arrival of a new chief executive.

In my time at Triodos, we have undergone an enormous transformation. From being a telephone and internet-based savings bank, we have grown to become a personal current account and mobile banking provider.  We’ve extended our investments product range and become the first UK bank to launch an investment crowdfunding platform.

I’m especially proud that Triodos Bank UK is now recognised as the UK's No.1 or Best Buy ethical and sustainable bank by Which?, Ethical Consumer and Good with Money, as well as the UK's most trusted bank by Fairer Finance. 

Thank you for challenging the ordinary

We will continue to stand up for what we believe in. In a year where our colleagues in Spain were faced with disastrous floods, these very real climate events spur us into more action. When hate and violence flared in the streets this summer, we stood firm in our belief in the power of unity and the strength of a diverse society.

And in a terrible year for global conflict, while some called for investments in weapons and defence to be classified as having an environmental, social and governance (ESG) mandate, we re-iterated our zero-tolerance policy on investing in arms, weapons or anything at odds with contributing to a society with human dignity at its core.

Thank you for joining us in challenging the established norms and helping us make the ordinary extraordinary.

From all of us at Triodos Bank UK, we wish you a happy, peaceful and healthy new year.