When you save with NS&I, the money you invest contributes towards public spending. Green Savings Bonds – available to buy later this year – will also contribute towards public spending with a difference: they will help finance green spending projects. You’ll be saving while helping to make the world greener, cleaner and more sustainable.
Net zero by 2050
Green projects will play an important role in the UK ending its contribution to climate change. The target set by the Government, and now written into law, requires the UK to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
NS&I’s new fixed-rate, fixed-term Bonds
The 3-year fixed-term Green Savings Bonds will be available to buy online. You’ll have the opportunity to invest between £100 and £100,000. Once you invest, you won’t be able to access your money until it reaches the end of its term, but in return you’ll be guaranteed a fixed rate of interest for three years.
Where your money will go
All money invested in NS&I is passed onto HM Treasury and contributes towards government spending. Money invested in Green Savings Bonds will also go to HM Treasury and be held in a general account. HM Treasury then plans to allocate an amount equivalent to the proceeds raised from Green Savings Bonds, to its chosen green projects, within two years.
The Government will publish details about how the money is being spent and what the environmental benefits are, so you can see the difference you’re making.
Here are the six key areas that the Government are planning to spend your money on:
Making transport cleaner
To reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, it’s vital that the UK reduces harmful emissions caused by petrol and diesel vehicles and other transport. This is a significant area of green spending.
Example project: Funding for zero-emissions buses
Renewable energy over fossil fuels 
Green spending in this area will focus on projects that help us move away from our reliance on fossil fuels in favour of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power.
Example projects: Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, including funding for wind power and hydrogen research
Preventing pollution 
Green spending in this area will focus on recycling projects and technology that captures and stores carbon from the atmosphere. Helping cut down and control the amount of pollution that we produce as a society.
Example projects: Carbon capture and storage
Using energy in a more efficient way
One way to achieve net zero by 2050 is by being smarter with the way our energy needs are met. Green spending in this area will include making older buildings more efficient to make sure less energy goes to waste.
Example projects: Decarbonising hospitals, schools and other public buildings, renewable heating
Protecting natural resources
Green spending in this area will, quite literally, look after the green stuff. Projects that help protect the environment, the countryside and areas of natural beauty.
Example projects: Forest planting and conservation
Adapting to a changing climate
Green spending also means looking out for the threats associated with the warming of the planet. Helping us, as a society, adjust and prepare for the future ahead.
Example projects: Flood defences and early-warning systems
There will be plenty of news which NS&I will share about their new Green Savings Bonds in the coming weeks and months. You can find out more about the Government’s green spending plans here:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-government-green-financing
The content of this email is for information only. It does not represent advice or a recommendation and should not be interpreted as such. Please do not act upon any part of it without first having consulted an Independent Financial Adviser.
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