<p>Banks play a crucial role in the climate story, but not in the way most people think. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Max Falkenberg, climate finance researcher and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, to talk about how big banks around the world are still pouring trillions into fossil fuels—and why that needs to change fast. </p> <p>Tune in to learn: </p> <ul> <li>What makes fossil fuel financing so hard to stop</li> <li>Why just a few powerful banks could make a massive difference</li> <li>How new rules (and global teamwork) could shift the system</li> <li>Whether voluntary climate pledges by banks are actually working</li> <li>What happens to oil and gas companies if the money dries up</li> <li>And what changes he’d like to see next in the finance world</li> </ul> <p>If you've ever wondered how your money, or your bank, might be connected to the climate crisis, this episode is for you. We recommend you to have a quick look at Dr. Max Falkenberg's paper entitled <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51662-6">“The challenge of phasing-out fossil fuel finance in the banking sector”</a> before listening to the podcast.</p>