In episode three, host Simon Moore is in conversation with Leeds alumni Jennifer Bell (Economics 2015), Senior Climate Risk Policy Advisor at the Bank of England, and Professor Iain Clacher (PhD Accounting and Finance 2008), Professor of Pensions & Finance at Leeds, and Pro Dean for International at Leeds University Business School.  

We hear about the importance of finance in combatting the climate crisis, as well as our guests’ reflections on COP26 – including the commitment of nearly 500 global financial services to align $130 trillion towards limiting warming to 1.5 degrees, a process Jenn played a large part in. We hear why divestment strategies might not always be the answer, and how to best ensure financial decisions account for climate and environmental impact. 

We also discover the role Leeds played in our guests’ careers, and hear some advice on how you too could forge a career combatting the climate crisis.  

My Climate Story is a chance to meet inspiring Leeds alumni around the globe who are helping to combat the climate crisis.  

* Presented by Simon Moore (Biology 2014), alum and communications officer at University of Leeds and Admin and Logistics Lead with the Climate Action Leeds programme. Follow @Simon_C_Moore on Twitter.  

Featuring Jennifer Bell, Senior Climate Risk Policy Advisor at the Bank of England, who supports Mark Carney as COP26 Private Finance Advisor to the UK Government. Jenn is working to create the financial system for net zero which involves creating a framework to allow every financial decision to take climate change into account. 

And Professor Iain Clacher, Professor of Pensions & Finance, Pro Dean for International at Leeds University Business School and head of the University’s new Centre for Financial Technology and Innovation. Iain leads on climate and environmental risk analytics for pensions and asset management within the newly established £10m UK Centre for Greening Finance and Investment. As part of this project he is also leading on the development of one of the two climate and environmental risk analytics hubs in Leeds and London.  

Produced by Ed Newbould, communications officer, University of Leeds.  

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You can meet more inspiring Leeds alumni around the globe who are helping to combat the climate crisis through our podcasts, features and guest blog posts.

And discover how Leeds researchers are helping to shift the world rapidly to net-zero emissions and avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis.