Knowledge and Insight

Greenbank’s 27th annual Investor Day ‘Water under pressure’ focused on risks and opportunities in a water scarce future.

The start of the year saw optimism around the US economy contrast with pessimism in the UK, and weak growth forecasts for Europe. Transformations through artificial intelligence have raised opportunities and concerns, and renewable energy capacity has set new records.

Assessing animal welfare in our food systems and the role of alternative proteins as a potential solution.

Greenbank’s 2024 action plan highlights our programme of thematic engagement, which is closely linked to our eight sustainable development themes. We also operate an ongoing programme of tactical engagement with the companies in which we invest.

Deputy head of Greenbank Nicola Day summarises the key points and actions from COP28, held in December 2023 in Dubai, UAE.

The end of the year brought welcome gains for global equity markets as inflation concerns receded. In Dubai the final COP28 text resulted in the first explicit demand to "transition away" from fossil fuels, and a UK carbon pricing levy is set to support the drive towards decarbonisation.

Inflation fell in the US and the UK, but against a backdrop of pessimistic growth forecasts, declining living standards and rising energy costs, the Bank of England is holding firm on monetary policy. In the face of rising gas and electricity prices, the energy price cap will go up in January.

Another win for Greenbank founder member

Two Greenbank colleagues shortlisted in finals

With the annual Durrell Lecture returning to London’s Royal Institution for the first time since the pandemic, it seemed fitting that the evening’s theme – “Tortoise Tales” – should highlight the trials facing such an extraordinary and vital animal but also celebrate the return of some of the most endangered species to their native habitats.

Greenbank’s stewardship and engagement lead Sophie Lawrence features in this interesting CNBC video with Tim Spector of King’s College London and co-founder of the Zoe personalised nutrition program, Dr Kiara Chang of Imperial College and Rebecca Tobi of The Food Foundation.

UK inflation held at 6.7% in October, remaining the highest rate in the G7. However, while petrol and diesel costs continued to keep the rate high, food and non-alcoholic drinks prices fell for the first time in over two years. The Bank of England held the base rate at 5.25% but remained cautious on the wider economy, downgrading their 2024 growth forecasts.