My Ultimate UK Boycott List: And Where To Shop Instead

Image by Alfo Medeiros

Finance

Barclays

Why boycott Barclays?

This British bank is one of the top banks in the world to invest in fossil fuels (along with JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America). Other UK banks that are known to invest in fossil fuels are: HSBC (and therefore First Direct), NatWest (and therefore RBS), Lloyds (and therefore Halifax, the Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows) and Santander. In 2022 alone, these big players invested $37 billion in fossil fuel companies. 

Further reading: Banking on Climate Chaos: Fossil Fuel Finance Report 2025

Barclays alternatives

While the following banks aren’t perfect, they are much, much better than the above-listed institutions and don’t fund fossil fuel companies.

• The Co-Operative Bank: The Co-operative Bank states it will not provide loans to any companies involved in the extraction or production of fossil fuels or linked to workers’ rights abuses, and has an ethical screening policy. They provide a large range of banking services, including regular bank accounts, savings, mortgages, credit cards, and insurance.

• Charity Bank: Offering savings accounts and loans, this bank is owned by charity and social purpose organisations.

• Triodos: Lends mostly to renewable energy and offers savings, current accounts, loans and more to individuals, businesses and charities.

• Tandem Bank: This bank offers savings and loans and has an easy-to-use mobile banking app that allows you to separate your savings into pots. They provide “green lending initiatives” with a focus on making UK homes more sustainable.

• Nationwide: This well-known bank mostly funds mortgages and not fossil fuels. They offer a huge range of banking options to choose from and are currently offering £175 to make the switch (16th Oct 2025).

• Starling Bank: This bank commits to not providing “banking services to or invest in organisations that use excessive power to systemically promote public behaviour that is harmful to individuals, groups or to the whole of society in order to maximise their own profits. This may include, for example, fossil fuel companies.” 
  They provide personal and business accounts, including current and savings accounts. However, it’s worth noting that Starling Bank doesn’t have a comprehensive public policy.

When switching banks, it’s an extra plus if you contact your old bank to let them know the reason for the switch.