On that day, 36 members spoke with one another and with two members of our Executive Board. In addition, 167 members shared their thoughts online. The comments covered topics including climate change, long-term risks and the choices that are in keeping with Triodos Bank. “Everyone was given the space to express their own opinion, even when we didn’t agree with one another,” said one participant.
The members advised the Board of Directors on two questions: can we finance parties that contribute to the development and production of nuclear energy? And is financing the development and production of cultured meat consistent with Triodos Bank’s principles?
On 19 June, the Board of Directors explained its decisions. We will continue to exclude direct financing of and direct investment in nuclear energy. Nor do we finance the development and production of cultured meat. Only research or very limited exploratory work into cultured meat may be assessed on a case-by-case basis, subject to a rigorous assessment of impacts and risks.
This first round gave more than two hundred stakeholders the opportunity to contribute their views on decisions that affect us all. The next TBIC meeting will take place at the end of October.