HSBC quits net zero. Why? Ultimately because we are winning the culture war. This departure by HSBC should lead the way to more banks doing the same and then more corporations and the entire stack of net zero cards should crumble into itself. HSBC quitting net zero isn’t the end but it shows a significant shift in the way businesses are operating. It shows that are valiant efforts in educating the people are paying off. 

Prior to starting our carbon clarity campaign I gave a heads up to look for narrative shifts that will happen. Before we went full steam ahead against this insanity in March this year, everywhere you looked net zero seemed like a done deal and it was only a matter of time. Then the Telegraph started to crack and reported how things seem uncertain for net zero. Then Tony Blair cracked. The politico throws their hands up and says they are losing the culture war. Now we have banks who are giving up on net zero and we are just getting started. 

HSBC was there at the launch of the net zero banking alliance in 2021, with the bank’s then chief executive, Noel Quinn, saying it was vital to “establish a robust and transparent framework for monitoring progress” oh how nice it is to see the change of tune.

However lip service is still being made to net zero which can be seen in their recent statement which shows you we still have a long way to go.

“We remain resolutely focused on supporting our customers to finance their transition objectives and on making progress towards our net zero by 2050 ambition.”

What we must be wary of now is what sometimes happens to some people when they start to get a taste of success. They get comfortable and let the foot of the gas. Then usually what follows is a brief grace period and then things start falling into reverse. No, we must use this building momentum and keep pushing and pushing hard. We haven’t finished the job yet. Still in major positions of power in the UK and across the west the climate cult still has to much power. This has recently been shown once again with the environmental agency attacking farmers in East Anglia by not communicating with them about an an abstraction ban in what seems like a coordinated move to damage their harvests. Hopefully the farmers do what is right and continue to water their vital crops anyway as some are claiming its the best harvest for a long time.

Then there is still the mad Miliband who is on a solar panel rampage trying to destroy as much prime farmland and now forcing people out of their homes as much as possible. The Climate and Nature Bill is still looming its head which would make more climate communist moves like whats happening in Norfolk more commonplace. 

So whilst the light at the end of the net zero tunnel is starting to shine we must continue full steam ahead to get to the other side.