Biodiversity

An early warning system - launched 1998

Bird numbers in the UK are declining rapidly. This is double cause for concern, as, like the canary in the coalmine, bird life acts as an 'early warning system' for the health of our environment. In short, if our bird life is under threat, then so is our entire future.

That's why, in 1998 we joined forces with The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to campaign on this important issue.

Raising awareness - and support

As part of our campaign, the bank jointly produced a hard-hitting commercial with RSPB. Based on the 'canary in the coalmine' analogy, the advert was intended both to win support for the RSPB's vital work in conserving British bird species, and also to highlight the terrible threat to the environment indicated by declining bird numbers.

The Bank continues to support the work of the RSPB through its RSPB affinity credit card. Between 1999 and 2003, the bank raised over £2.5 million for Britain's threatened wetlands through the card.

Our work on biodiversity continues which you can read about in our 2003 Sustainability Report.

You voted, we donated

As part of our campaign, we supported the following four charities. Our donations were divided according to the percentage of customer votes each received;

The Wildlife Trust

Cares for over 2,000 of the UK's finest nature reserves and lobby for better protection of everything from the dormouse to the Golden Eagle. Received £11,000

The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society

Fighting for the protection of whales and dolphins and working to address the dangers to their health and survival. Received £7,250

Tusk Force

Works to protect the tiger, along with many other species, both in the UK and abroad, through funding of field projects, education programmes and public awareness campaigns. Received £4,500

Farmers' World Network

Works on promoting farmer-led initiatives to preserve biodiversity using the example of successful projects in countries including Britain, the Philippines, India and Zimbabwe. Received £3,500

Find out about the Bank's current campaign