A Christian campaign is aiming to combat climate change by divesting finances from banks that support fossil fuels.

The Bank Well campaign, spearheaded by Christian charity Just Money Movement and supported by former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, urges churches to entrust pension funds with ethical banks and calls on Christians to do the same with their everyday finances.

Dr Rowan Williams emphasised the role of churches in signalling change to wider society: “The public profile and reputation of cathedrals remains high, even in a society that is less openly religious than it was, so the standards of vision and hope that they set matter to everyone. It would be wonderful to see more joining in this witness.”

The campaign comes amid ongoing calls for churches to end pension investments in fossil fuels. Campaign group Christian Climate Action has long criticised the Church of England for its links to fossil fuel investments.

The Bank Well campaign has a long-term vision: “Through Bank Well and the other campaigns it sits alongside, eventually the smaller, greener banks will grow in size enough to make green banking a more viable option, and the larger established banks will be forced by consumer pressure to clean up their portfolios.”

Matt Ceaser, from the Just Money Movement, told Premier: “We’re expressing our holy discontent. The current situation is not good enough - we want our money to be aligning with our ethical beliefs. It sends a message to bigger banks: ‘Clean up your act.’”