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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Damien Gayle

HSBC and NatWest accused of financing North Sea oil extraction despite pledge

HSBC and NatWest signs
HSBC and NatWest pledged to stop directly financing new oil and gas projects but a Banking on Climate Chaos report says they provided tens of millions to Ithaca between 2016 and 2022. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Two major UK high street banks have been accused of continuing to finance fossil fuel expansion in the North Sea despite signing a pledge to align their activities with the net zero climate goal.

HSBC and NatWest have provided tens of millions in finance to Ithaca Energy, a British oil and gas company that is playing a key role in plans to exploit the controversial Rosebank oilfield north-west of the Shetland Islands. Another high street bank, Lloyds, also provided finance but has since sold down the debt.

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