What specific financial actions has Cambridge University taken against HSBC and Barclays due to their fossil fuel financing?

Cambridge University has already moved £135 million ($181 million) of cash and money market investments away from major high street banks—including HSBC and Barclays—to domestic building societies and smaller institutions; further transfers are expected, including into a fossil fuel-free money-market fund run by Amundi SA and to Svenska Handelsbanken AB.

How do Barclays’ and HSBC’s recent fossil fuel financing volumes compare to other UK banks, according to Bloomberg data cited in the article?

According to Bloomberg data cited in the article, Barclays participated in about $7.4 billion of loans and bonds for fossil fuel companies so far this year, HSBC in about $5.3 billion, while NatWest and Lloyds Banking Group each were involved in substantially lower volumes—around $300 million total—with fossil fuel financing making up about 0.2% of Lloyds’ loan book in 2025.

Cambridge University Withdraws Funds From HSBC, Barclays Over Fossil Fuel Financing

May 27, 2026

Cambridge University is withdrawing £135 million from banks like HSBC and Barclays due to their fossil fuel financing. The move targets institutions supporting the oil and gas industry amid growing climate activism.

bloomberg

2026-05-27

Cambridge University Withdraws Funds From HSBC, Barclays Over Fossil Fuel Financing

Cambridge University Withdraws Funds From HSBC, Barclays Over Fossil Fuel Financing

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