Accentuate the positive – banking opportunities

It is easy to focus only on the negative so it is helpful to seek out the opportunities for banks to contribute positively to addressing climate issues. Two New Yorker articles over the last few months provide examples of business ideas that should be sources of good bank lending opportunities. Both are in the area of food production – thereby also meeting a core human need of sustenance. In September 2019 the New Yorker had extensive coverage of the emerging meat substitute industry. In its most recent edition, the New Yorker covered an alternative approach to farming that seeks to work with nature whilst delivering sustainable and substantial returns. These are both areas where bank financing will be need to encourage the transition to food production that meets the needs of a large population whilst maintaining the environment. Food related bankers should be focusing on these opportunities.