In 2021, the megabank launched a free carbon footprint tracker app in collaboration with carbon tracking firm CoGo, linking CO2 emissions to customers’ purchases, along with “providing hints and tips on how to go greener and resources for doing so,” NatWest said in a press release. “Users will be able to log their commitments and behavior changes.”
David Lindberg, CEO, Retail Banking at NatWest, said: “It’s aligned to our core purpose as a bank and it’s going to give people the information they need to make informed choices about how they spend, as well as realistic and achievable ways of cutting down on carbon.”
The bank openly said this would hopefully help nudge customers into reducing their consumption of meat, claiming data from its pilot program made a significant impact on customers changing their habits:
Insights from the pilot showed the average user saved approximately 11 kg of CO2 emissions per month by committing to behavioural changes that used less carbon – such as composting, reducing meat consumption, or switching utilities providers.
If this behavior was replicated across NatWest’s 8 million customers who use the mobile app, it would save more than 1 billion kg of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to planting 17 million trees.
Composting food waste and choosing renewable electricity suppliers were the most popular and impactful climate actions selected by users in the pilot. Adopting a vegetarian diet and buying second-hand clothing was more popular with younger demographics.
More than half (60%) of the behaviours committed to were reported as being new by those on the pilot, indicating that the trial was helping to provide a range of new and meaningful choices.
Emma Kisby, CoGo’s UK CEO, also said: “Our vision is a world where knowing your carbon footprint is as typical as knowing the calories in your food or steps you’ve walked daily.”
The integration has been used by NatWest for years but has drawn controversy since its inception.
In November, 2023, The Telegraph reported that the app suggests users cut out beef and trying “meat-free Mondays,” and perhaps replace the meat with tofu or lentils instead.
At the time when The Telegraph published their report, the app had over 300,000 active users who can “opt in” to receive a monthly carbon score including tips on how to reduce the score.
Deputy President of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), Tom Bradshaw, has criticized the NatWest app. “British meat and dairy are among the most sustainable in the world, with UK beef emissions less than half the global average,” he said. “Red meat and dairy are also recognised as an essential part of a healthy diet, being naturally rich sources of protein and calcium and providing essential nutrients like iron, zinc and vitamin B12.”
Farmer’s Weekly added: ‘He added that livestock farmers are custodians of large swathes of iconic landscapes, with grass fields providing important habitats for biodiversity and soils holding vital carbon reserves. “This must not be overlooked,” said Mr. Bradshaw.’
After the NFU provided its list of concerns to NatWest, the bank launched a commitment to perform a full review of the tracker to make sure it provided a balanced message. The NFU agreed to work with them on this process.
However, it appears NatWest has not really made any changes to the app, The Telegraph reported in July in a follow-up post.
David Barton, chair of the NFU Livestock Board, said farmers were “disappointed” by the lack of significant change.
He stated: “I remain disappointed on behalf of our many livestock members, and as a NatWest customer myself, that the bank is still encouraging the reduction of meat consumption on its app, suggesting it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“People should be free to choose whatever diet they wish to follow, but it must be an informed choice.
“We understand that the NatWest app is primarily focusing on [greenhouse gas] emissions, but the reality is that when making diet related recommendations, other factors such as nutrition, environment, and biodiversity must be presented.”
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
The WinePress has been documenting for roughly four years banks and other financial institutions are creating or quietly rolling out carbon calculators and ESG investment monitoring tools.
Right now groups such as NatWest are priming the masses for an eventual social credit score tied to digital IDs, CBDCs and tokenization; and will be used to further drive the masses worldwide to drastically reduce meat and dairy consumption.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: [5] For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. [6] If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
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[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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That comment – “Our vision is a world where knowing your carbon footprint is as typical as knowing the calories in your food or steps you’ve walked daily.”
The smart watches and apps society has lauded as time-efficient and innovative were the first step towards governmental surveillance.
Job 31:4 Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?
Psalms 56:6They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
Man trying to be God. Romans 1:28-32
Good point!
The best way to fight it is to EAT mor meat, besides the verses say that God has told us to eat meat!
End of story!!! 1Tim 4:1-6
This is exactly why people in the know repeatedly shout to use cash. Use cash! Cash hides who is buying what and also gives a blow to the banker’s digital total control system that this is just a warning shot of.