When you think about the impact your money has, you might picture the things you buy such as groceries, clothes or homeware. But what many people don’t realise is that our money can have a much bigger reach, influencing industries we might not agree with, including factory farming giants like JBS.
JBS is one of the biggest meat producers in the world — and one of the worst offenders when it comes to animal cruelty and environmental destruction. From factory farms to deforestation in the Amazon, its business model is built on exploitation. And shockingly, Barclays is helping to fund it.
Take action now – demand Barclays cuts ties with JBS
How is Barclays involved?
Banks like Barclays invest billions in companies like JBS through loans, bonds and shareholdings — and that includes money from personal accounts, pensions and investments. So even if you’ve never bought a JBS product in your life, your money could still be supporting factory farming and environmental harm.
JBS has been repeatedly linked to:
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Deforestation and illegal land use in Brazil
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Rampant greenhouse gas emissions
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Extreme animal suffering on industrial farms
And yet Barclays continues to provide them with financial support.
Why this matters
Factory farming is one of the biggest causes of animal suffering on the planet. Animals are crammed into filthy, windowless sheds with no chance to express natural behaviours. It’s also a major driver of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss.
The more banks like Barclays fund JBS, the more this cruelty and destruction will grow.
What can you do to prevent it?
The good news is you don’t have to feel powerless. There are practical steps you can take to ensure your money isn’t supporting companies like JBS.
- Review your bank’s investments: Many high street banks invest in factory farming, but ethical alternatives exist. Check your bank’s policies and see if they disclose how they invest funds. If they are linked to factory farming, consider switching to a more ethical bank that prioritises animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
- Look into your pension fund: Your pension could be another area where money is being funnelled into harmful industries. Ask your pension provider where your money is invested and request a breakdown of their investments. If they are funding factory farming, you can ask them to switch to ethical investment options. Increasingly, pension providers are offering more sustainable choices as demand grows for ethical investments.
- Consider ethical investments: If you have investments or savingsbonds, explore funds that specifically avoid industries like factory farming, fossil fuels, or deforestation. These ethical funds focus on supporting companies that are more aligned with your values.
- Raise awareness: Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to investigate where their money is being invested. Many people have no idea that their finances are being used in this way, and the more we raise awareness, the greater the demand will be for ethical financial products.
We all want to do good in the world, and most of us strive to make ethical choices in our daily lives. But it’s easy to overlook the power our money holds, especially when it’s tied up in investments or pensions. By taking a few simple steps to check where your money is going, you can ensure you aren’t unknowingly financing companies like JBS that harm animals and the planet.
Together, we can reduce the flow of money into destructive industries and build a more compassionate, sustainable world for animals and humans alike.