Big Brother Banking: Major International Bank Monitors Customers’ Purchases
In an eyebrow-raising move, a major international bank has started to keep tabs on what customers are buying, particularly focusing on meat and dairy products. The bank’s aim? A rather intrusive crackdown on the general public’s consumption habits.
London-Based NatWest Bank Launches “Carbon Footprint Tracker”
The culprit in question is London-based NatWest Bank which recently launched its “carbon footprint tracker”. This tool is touted as a measure to combat the so-called “climate crisis.”
The Tracker: All Bark and No Bite?
This British multinational bank’s system keeps an eye on customers’ spending habits and provides unsolicited advice when they purchase meat and dairy products. Let that sink in for a moment – your bank telling you what you should or shouldn’t eat!
Farmer Beware: Users Urged to Swap Traditional Farm Produce
The tracker doesn’t just monitor but also issues alerts warning customers about the alleged climate change implications of their food choices. As part of NatWest’s smartphone banking app, users receive messages when they buy traditionally farmed produce like beef and milk.
“Swap Out” Your Food Choices, Says the Bank
Users are urged to replace items such as beef and milk with non-dairy or plant-based products. Why? To take part in “veggie Mondays” and help fight global warming by reducing their so-called greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Going Green or Overstepping Boundaries?
The bank doesn’t stop at food. It also suggests buying more second-hand clothes and taking fewer flights to align with the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s “Net Zero” targets.
Farmers Fight Back
Unsurprisingly, this move has sparked outrage among British farmers who feel targeted by the push against red meat and dairy products. The UK’s National Farmer’s Union (NFU) has criticized NatWest for promoting oversimplified messages that miss the complexities of a sustainable food system.
Banking on Change: NatWest Agrees to Alter Wording After Criticism
After months of debate, the bank agreed to change its app’s wording following resistance from the farming industry. However, according to NFU, this change is far from sufficient.
British Meat and Dairy Industry: A Model of Sustainability?
The NFU contends that the British meat and dairy industry is one of the most sustainable globally. They further add that UK beef emissions are less than half the global average.
NatWest Responds
Responding to criticism, a NatWest spokesman stated that they have championed farming for nearly 300 years and are committed to supporting customers in their sustainability journeys. The carbon tracker, according to the bank, is an optional feature that customers find valuable.
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