Andrew Gray, NatWest Local Enterprise Manager discusses in the this event the Low carbon economy and the Net Zero banking alliance.

“As we begin our path to recovery from the immense disruption caused by COVID-19 and move towards COP26 and a sustainable future, we have an unprecedented opportunity to Build Back Responsibly with business taking action that creates positive outcomes for people and nature.

Businesses are traditionally judged on economic success – their turnover, strategy and profits – but increasingly the public are looking to companies to take a lead on creating a better society, be it on climate change or racial equality.

Join Andy Gray and a host of guests for an honest and thought-provoking round table on the journey towards a better world for organisations and communities in the UK.

Peter Ellington, Charlie Flanagan, Alasdair Wilcock and Fran Ellington will be taking on the big questions

• The current academic research on businesses adapting to climate change
• What do we mean by "sustainable business'' - Is the theory finally meeting practice?
• What does this mean for business? Pressures from consumers and regulators - focus on Environment and carbon emissions.
• ESG and purpose driven business - what is ESG, how to start with busy SMEs in mind - and does anyone care? Focus on the social impact and governance

Climate change has been a key priority for NatWest Group since the bank unveiled its purpose-led strategy last February.

NatWest Group has become one of 43 banks globally to join the Net Zero Banking Alliance, a coalition of financial services companies that have pledged to work together to help deliver the Paris Agreement. As the banking sponsor of the COP26 climate summit, NatWest Group’s membership of this global alliance demonstrates its commitment to work collaboratively with its peers, policy makers and other stakeholders to play its part in bringing about significant change at speed and to help build a more climate-resilient economy.

The NatWest Group has signed up to the Net Zero Banking Alliance commitments, which includes transitioning all operational and financed emissions to net zero by 2050 at the latest. The bank had previously said it would halve the climate impact of its financing activity by 2030, having reached net zero carbon on its own emissions last year. Earlier this year, the NatWest Group became the first UK major bank to publish analysis of its financed emissions of oil and gas extraction, automotive manufacturing and agriculture sectors as well as to residential mortgage properties, which represent 45% of its loan book. It will continue to analyse the rest of its financing this year.”