Barclays’ 2024 Financed Emissions Methodology outlines how the bank measures and manages the climate impact of its lending and investment portfolios, aligned with a 1.5°C pathway. The methodology strengthens sector-specific targets, improves data quality and scenario alignment, and enhances transparency for high-emitting sectors such as power, energy, steel and aviation. It supports Barclays’ commitment to reducing financed emissions, accelerating transition finance, and integrating climate and nature considerations into risk assessment, client engagement and portfolio decision-making across the bank.

The 2024 Barclays Climate Ventures Impact Report showcases £203m invested in over 20 climate-tech companies, leveraging £2.18 of additional capital per £1 invested. The portfolio has created 1,309 jobs globally, including 664 in the UK, and supports solutions across energy, agriculture, carbon management, real estate and transport. Early-stage ventures forecast significant avoided emissions through hydrogen, battery innovation, retrofits and regenerative agriculture. Barclays’ Climate Tech Escalator and Unreasonable Impact programme strengthen founder support, helping scale commercially viable technologies that accelerate decarbonisation and climate resilience.

Barclays’ Workforce Ready report highlights the urgent need to strengthen young people’s employability skills to meet UK business demand, with 83% of employers struggling to hire skilled labour and fewer than 50% finding young candidates with communication, adaptability or problem-solving skills. Disadvantaged young people face greater barriers, yet intensive LifeSkills support shows 90% improve key competencies. The report calls for embedding employability in the curriculum, stronger employer engagement, leadership development and targeted support to close skills gaps and boost inclusive economic growth.

The 2025 Unreasonable Impact Report highlights a global network of 376 ventures backed by Barclays and Unreasonable Group, collectively reducing 140 million tonnes of GHG emissions, diverting 2 billion kg of waste, and employing 33,000 people. These high-growth companies have raised $16.7bn and generated $14.3bn in revenue, accelerating climate, circularity and social-impact innovations across energy, agriculture, biotech and mobility. The programme strengthens inclusive job creation, founder wellbeing and long-term climate solutions through mentorship, investment and lifelong entrepreneurial support.

This report explores how high-net-worth individuals in the UK are transforming modern philanthropy, with giving rising to £11.3 billion in 2024. Wealth holders increasingly prioritise impact, transparency and climate, social justice and health causes, with 79% giving to social welfare and 73% to climate and environment. Median annual donations have more than doubled since 2019, rising to £12,000. Barriers persist around accessing impact data and navigating charity complexity, while demand grows for structured giving, specialist advice and integrated, values-led wealth planning.

This Barclays report shows that UK SMEs face major barriers to decarbonising buildings, with 82 percent citing cost as the biggest obstacle and nearly half lacking access to trusted guidance. Although SMEs contribute significantly to national emissions, only 28 percent have a clear net-zero plan. The report highlights opportunities in energy efficiency, heat pumps and retrofitting, and stresses the need for finance, simplified regulations and stronger skills pipelines. Collaborative action across government, industry and finance is essential to accelerate a fair, low-carbon transition.

Barclays’ FY24 Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Report highlights strong progress on climate, people and community impact. The bank facilitated $94.4bn in sustainable and transition finance in 2024, contributing to a $162.2bn total toward its $1trn 2030 target. Scope 1 and 2 emissions fell 95 percent from the 2018 baseline, with 100 percent renewable electricity for global real estate. Barclays supported 1.95 million people with skills programmes, upskilled 800,000 through digital inclusion, and advanced gender and ethnic diversity in leadership.

Barclays’ 2024 UK Pay Gap Disclosure shows a 29.7 percent median gender pay gap and a 30.2 percent mean gap, reflecting underrepresentation of women in senior roles. Women now hold 33 percent of senior UK positions. Ethnicity gaps vary, with Black colleagues facing a 21.7 percent median hourly gap due to lower seniority representation. Barclays reports rising representation of underrepresented ethnicities and outlines actions including targeted recruitment, leadership development, mentoring and data-led accountability to build a more inclusive, equitable workforce.

Barclays' "Sustainability Insights" section offers expert views and analyses on sustainability and transitioning to net zero. It features articles discussing strategies for the UK's decarbonization, climate tech as an economic catalyst, the pivotal role of transition finance, and the potential of nature-based solutions for achieving sustainability targets​.

Barclays' press release highlights recommendations to position the UK as a top destination for climate tech companies. It suggests establishing dedicated funds, enhancing public finance structures, and promoting inter-institutional collaboration. These steps aim to address financing gaps and leverage the National Wealth Fund to spur innovation and attract climate tech investment

The Just Transition Finance Lab focuses on transforming the global financial system to advance climate and environmental goals with a people-centered approach. It operates as a center for experimentation and excellence in financial instruments and strategies, policy and regulation, metrics, and case studies to support sustainable transitions​.

The Just Transition Finance Lab focuses on transforming the global financial system to advance climate and environmental goals with a people-centered approach. It operates as a center for experimentation and excellence in financial instruments and strategies, policy and regulation, metrics, and case studies to support sustainable transitions​.

The 10th Impact Series report from Barclays delves into the escalating issue of global food insecurity, which has been worsened by the war in Ukraine, extreme weather events, and rising input costs. The report highlights several critical findings, including severe disruptions in global food supplies and rising food prices, which could have long-term effects on hunger and poverty worldwide. It notes that 50% of global agricultural trade passes through maritime chokepoints, while 85% of Africa's food is imported, making these regions particularly vulnerable. In 2021, 29% of the global population was moderately or severely food insecure. Fertilizer costs, which account for 35% of operating costs for some crops, further strain the food supply chain. The report also identifies 19 countries at risk of worsening food insecurity and points out that 36 out of 55 countries facing food crises heavily relied on Ukraine and Russia for wheat.

Barclays PLC's 2023 Annual Report showcases key achievements, including a 10.6% Return on Tangible Equity (RoTE) and a total income of £25.4 billion, reflecting the company's strong financial resilience. The report highlights significant progress in digital innovation and underscores Barclays' commitment to sustainability, with a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Notable accomplishments include sourcing 50% of their energy from renewable sources, achieving 33% female representation on the board, and upskilling 3.27 million people. Additionally, Barclays has provided £67.8 billion in sustainable financing, further demonstrating its dedication to responsible business practices.

Barclays' Communities Supplement highlights the bank's commitment to supporting food banks, financial inclusion, and skills development. The report showcases the distribution of 1.3 million food parcels through the Trussell Trust and the unlocking of £2.3 million in financial support for those in need. Since 2013, Barclays has supported 17 million people through its LifeSkills program, empowering individuals with essential skills. The bank also emphasizes sustainable business growth, with 33% of startups at Barclays Eagle Labs focused on sustainability. Additionally, over 9,600 startups have been reached through the Eagle Labs initiative. Barclays has written off £500,000 in debt for individuals in financial crisis and supported 250+ companies through the Unreasonable Impact program. The report also highlights diversity efforts, with 85% of management roles filled by historically disadvantaged individuals.

Barclays' "10 ESG Themes for 2023" report emphasizes the need for actionable plans in areas like decarbonization, climate adaptation, and governance. Key themes include preparing for new ESG regulations, addressing human rights, and managing the impact of economic turmoil on sustainability goals. The report highlights regional differences in ESG approaches and the importance of transparency in meeting ESG targets.

The Unreasonable Impact programme, a collaboration between Barclays and Unreasonable Group, has introduced 12 new ventures in its UK & Europe cohort, focusing on innovative solutions to climate and social challenges. These ventures, including companies like Shellworks and Winnow, have collectively raised over $400 million in capital and generated $47 million in revenue for 2023. The programme highlights significant achievements, such as preventing 89 million metric tonnes of GHG emissions and avoiding 670 million kg of waste. Additionally, it has supported over 25,000 jobs and 60% of alumni report job growth. The programme benefits from the support of 1,700 investors and 1,000 mentors, and has assisted more than 250 ventures since its inception in 2016.