• New research reveals that the majority of UK adults are fearful of the future – and think we need to fund positive social and environmental change now more than ever
  • Younger generations seek to take positive action into their own hands – as four in 10 say they will switch from their current bank if it backtracks on its sustainability or DEI commitments
  • Changes in ISA rules could unlock a shift to green savings and investments, as 63% of ISA holders are willing to switch providers to have a positive impact on the world

In the wake of devastating global conflicts, ongoing climate disaster and global politics reaching new extremes, new research from Triodos Bank UK reveals how the UK public is fearful of the future and anxious to support a better world – yet are overlooking the potential of using their personal finances to bring about positive change.

Polling of 2,000 UK adults reveals that 81% of people are concerned about the future of the world, while seven in 10 (68%) think we need positive social and environmental change now more than ever.

Specifically, two-thirds of people (65%) are concerned about what President Trump’s second term will mean for action on climate change, and for progress on social inclusion and equality (63%).

This concern is universal across all age groups, but older generations are especially concerned about the direction of global politics, with 83% of people over the age of 55 being troubled by global politics shifting to greater and greater extremes.

When it comes to finding solutions to these global challenges, 57% think that financing positive social and environmental change is more important now than it has ever been; which rises to 64% of the younger Gen Z and Millennial generations.

However, confusion and feeling overwhelmed about how to do this are preventing many from taking action: half of UK adults (49%) – rising to two-thirds (67%) of 18-34 year olds – say they want to help have a positive impact, but don’t know where to start.

Young people respond to corporations slashing climate and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) targets

The younger generations are especially motivated to act on these concerns and try and contribute to social and environmental progress. The majority of 18-34 year olds (55%) want to take action into their own hands to bring this about, and to use their money to help fund positive change (51%).

This age group is especially dismayed by the global backlash against commitments on sustainability and diversity, equality and inclusion, with the majority (53%) wanting to help fill this gap in funding initiatives that build a greener, fairer world.

When it comes to the actions of big corporations and banks, over half (55%) of 18-34 year olds are likely to support businesses that demonstrate progress on sustainability, and the fair and equal treatment of people, over businesses that don’t.

Meanwhile, four in 10 say they are prepared to move their money out of their current bank if it scraps its current sustainability commitments (42%) or DEI initiatives (40%) – as many US-based big banks have done since Trump’s second term began.

ISA changes could unlock shift to sustainable savings and investments

Ahead of the April tax year refresh, many consumers will be choosing new Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), with new rule changes meaning that savers and investors can now hold money in more than one ISA of the same type, across multiple providers.

These changes unlock greater flexibility in how consumers can use their money in line with their values. Savers and investors can now earmark a proportion of their money to work especially towards positive environmental and social change, by transferring this into a sustainable savings or investment ISA.

Consumers are keen to take advantage of this flexibility: 63% of ISA holders would be willing to move some of their holdings from their current ISA provider to an ethical or sustainable bank in order to have a positive social or environmental impact.

On average, these ISA holders indicated they would be prepared to move 30% of their holdings to a sustainable provider; which, when extrapolated across all UK ISA holdings, means this flexibility could unlock up to £21bn of sustainable savings and investments.*

Roger Hattam, Director of Retail Banking at Triodos Bank UK: “In the face of distressing news headlines, it’s no wonder that so many of us feel overwhelmed about how to have a positive influence on the world. But every individual person matters. Each one of us can take a surprisingly impactful step to contribute to a fairer, sustainable world, simply by switching bank or savings accounts. Every penny and pound in sustainable savings or investments is helping to collectively finance advances in renewable energy, community-led initiatives and businesses that promote fair and equitable treatment of everyone.

“Since the Paris Agreement was signed, the world’s 60 largest banks have poured over $6.9 trillion of money into the fossil fuel industry in the form of loans and underwriting. It’s time to arrest this trend, and customers have the power in their wallets. As a sustainable bank, Triodos offers an alternative – with a proven track record of funding sustainable projects and endorsing bold global initiatives, such as the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

Triodos Bank UK is a certified B Corporation and has been operating with a focus on sustainable finance for over 40 years and has been recognised as ‘stand-out Best Buy’ for banking by Ethical Consumer magazine for its personal current accounts, savings accounts and investment funds.

-Ends-

Notes to editors:
For further information, please contact:
Ellie James
T: 0117 311 0241
[email protected]

Important information

Capital in any investment product is at risk. The value of an investment may go down as well as up and investors could lose some or all of their money. Currency fluctuations may also affect the value of a Triodos Stocks & Shares ISA. As with all ISAs, the tax benefits depend on individual circumstances, and tax rules may change. The total annual ISA allowance is £20,000, which can be split across different types of ISAs.

None of the information in this press release constitutes financial advice. If potential investors are unsure if these investments are right for them, they should contact an Independent Financial Adviser.

About the research

Research was conducted by Opinium on behalf of Triodos Bank UK. 2,000 UK adults were surveyed, weighted to be nationally representative. Polling took place 25th - 28th February 2025.

* Provisional figures for 2022-2023 (the most recent figures available as of 7 March 2025) from HMRC show approximately £69,754,000,000 is held in UK cash, stocks and shares, and innovative finance ISAs. Triodos’s consumer polling indicates ISA holders would be willing to move, on average, 30% of their ISA savings or investments to an ethical or sustainable provider. If this was to be extrapolated across the UK’s ISA holdings as a whole, this could be worth £20,995,954,000.

About Triodos Cash ISAs

Triodos Bank UK has been awarded ‘Best Buy’ status by Ethical Consumer magazine (2022) for its savings accounts - recognised for its transparency and positive investment strategy, which Ethical Consumer noted were ‘stand-out’ and ‘market leading’.

Online Cash ISA

  • Instant access account
  • 2.85% tax-free / 2.87% AER
  • Open with as little as £10

Fixed Rate Cash ISA

  • Fixed interest rate for two years
  • 3.75% tax-free / 3.75% AER
  • Open with as little as £1

About Triodos Stocks and Shares ISA

Triodos Bank’s Stocks and Shares ISA is recognised as a ‘Best Buy’ by Ethical Consumer magazine. Four impact investment funds are available through the Stocks and Shares ISA – the Triodos Pioneer Impact Fund, the Triodos Global Equities Impact Fund, the Triodos Sterling Bond Impact Fund and the Triodos Future Generations Fund. The funds are managed by Triodos Investment Management, part of Triodos Bank.

Triodos Investment Management publishes a list of all companies in each fund's investment portfolio, for total transparency. All the investments in the funds have been hand-picked by impact investing experts using a themed approach, which ensures they have a positive impact on society and the environment.

Stocks and Shares ISAs - A choice of four impact investment funds:

Remember, capital in any investment product is at risk. The value of an investment may go down as well as up and investors could lose some or all of their money.

About Triodos Bank  
Founded in 1980, Triodos Bank has become a frontrunner in sustainable banking globally. As an independent bank that promotes responsible and transparent banking, it does not see any conflict between a focus on people and the planet and a good financial return. Instead it believes that they reinforce each other in the long-term.   

Triodos Bank has banking activities in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Spain and Germany as well as Investment Management activities based in the Netherlands but active globally. Triodos Bank co-founded the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), a network of sustainable banks. Together these banks want to grow sustainable banking and its impact on the real economy substantially.  

Triodos Bank UK Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triodos Bank NV. Registered Office: Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS. Registered in England and Wales Company No. 11379025. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 817008. VAT reg no 793493383.

This financial promotion has been issued by Triodos Bank UK Ltd. Registered Office: Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS. Registered in England and Wales with registered number 11379025. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 817008.