The Carbon Bankroll 1.0
The Climate Impact and Untapped Power of Corporate Cash
Why is it important?
As companies increasingly focus on combating climate change, this report reveals that for many of the world’s largest companies, the carbon footprint generated by their investments and cash held in big banks are a significant source, and sometimes their largest source, of emissions.
The report also provides a groundbreaking analysis of the hidden climate impact of corporate finances, making it possible to understand the scale of emissions generated by a company’s cash, investments, and financial practices.
Using publicly available data of 10 major corporations, the report illuminates how the financial system–particularly the banking sector undermines the sustainability efforts of climate-conscious companies.
Key findings include:
For some of the world’s largest companies, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Salesforce, their cash holdings are their largest source of emissions; increasing total emissions by 91% - 112%, when compared to most recently reported emissions.
For companies with more carbon-intensive operations such as Amazon and Johnson & Johnson, their cash holdings still constitute one of their largest emissions sources, increasing total emissions by 11% - 15%, compared to most recently reported emissions.
