Royal Bank of Canada faces scrutiny for funding fossil fuel projects

RBC is under fire for its continued financing of fossil fuel projects, despite its public stance on climate change and support for Indigenous rights.

Carl Meyer reports for The Narwhal.

In short:

RBC president David McKay claimed the bank is a leader in addressing climate change, but it remains the top fossil fuel financier among Canada's big five banks.
Jocey Alec, a Wet’suwet’en land defender, confronted RBC about its role in the Coastal GasLink pipeline but was cut off after 11 seconds at a shareholder meeting.
After pressure from New York City, RBC agreed to disclose its financial ties to fossil fuel projects compared to clean energy sources.

Key quote:

"I feel like they do get the message, but they just don’t want to acknowledge their complicity on what they’re funding."

— Jocey Alec, Wet’suwet’en land defender

Why this matters:

RBC's financing decisions have significant environmental and social implications, particularly for Indigenous communities opposing fossil fuel projects. Public scrutiny and shareholder pressure could push the bank to more transparent and sustainable practices.

thenarwhal.ca

Aerial panoramic landscape view of Sahel and oasis at Dogondoutchi, Niger

Credit: HomoCosmicos/BigStock Photo ID: 259021687

After decades of drought, water is rising in the African Sahel

Warming has brought extreme rainfall to the parched Sahel, which is seeing aquifers refill as monsoons grow stronger. But heavier downpours alone cannot explain the groundwater revival, say hydrologists, who believe efforts to harvest rain, along with tree-planting projects, may be paying dividends.

Read the Full Article on

e360.yale.edu

Royal Bank of Canada faces scrutiny for funding fossil fuel projects

Lake Powell shrinks and marinas must adapt

Balcony solar is sweeping the US, but who’s actually selling it?

The climate crisis onscreen: 14 films that made waves

After decades of drought, water is rising in the African Sahel

Texas transmission policy sharpens US competition fight

Texas’ grid operator prepares for more demand than ever this week

How industry is fragmenting Canada’s vast boreal forest

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.