Two-thirds (65 per cent) think individual investors have a responsibility to use their money for good, and 73 per cent of the UK public believe we need to invest in long-term solutions to the issues facing the world.

Research from Triodos Bank UK also shows that over half of people (54 per cent) want banks to do more directly and to help them personally to invest in long-term sustainable change, while 53 per cent say being more careful with their money makes them think more critically about how it is being used by their bank.

Roger Hattam, director of retail banking at Triodos Bank UK said: “There is a striking disconnect for UK consumers between the rising cost of living and decisions being made by banks on what they choose to finance. Our biggest high street banks continue to funnel billions into the fossil fuel sector, when it is precisely our dependence on fossil fuels that is driving up our bills, and not to mention causing immeasurable harm to the planet.”

Additionally, 75 per cent the public say they are frustrated that banks continue to make large profits despite cost-of-living increases. For those over the age of 55, this rises to 81 per cent, implying that the older generations may be more concerned with fairness.

For the younger generation, aged 18-34 Seven in 10 (69 per cent) say they want their money to help fund projects and companies that only work in sustainable sectors, perhaps implying a greater focus in climate, while more than half (56 per cent) say they have become more interested in ESG over the past year.

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