Gathering reliable and standardized carbon footprint data from financial institutions can be a challenging task as there is no centralized database or reporting framework specifically for this purpose. However, there are several approaches you can take to conduct extensive research and gather this data:

1. Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP): The CDP is a widely recognized platform that encourages companies, including financial institutions, to disclose their environmental impact, including carbon emissions. They collect data from thousands of companies globally, including financial institutions, and make it available for public use. You can access their database and search for specific financial institutions to gather their carbon footprint data.

2. Sustainability Reports: Many financial institutions publish annual sustainability reports that include information on their environmental impact, including carbon emissions. These reports often provide detailed data on emissions from various sources, such as energy consumption, business travel, and supply chain. Visit the websites of financial institutions and look for their sustainability reports or ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reports to gather carbon footprint data.

3. Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): The GRI is an international organization that sets standards for sustainability reporting. Many financial institutions follow GRI guidelines and report their environmental impact, including carbon emissions, using GRI indicators. You can search the GRI database for financial institutions’ reports and access their carbon footprint data.

4. Carbon Accounting Tools: Some financial institutions use carbon accounting tools to measure and manage their carbon emissions. These tools provide standardized methodologies for calculating emissions and often generate reports that can be used to gather carbon footprint data. Look for financial institutions that have publicly disclosed their use of carbon accounting tools and try to access their reports.

5. Industry Associations and Initiatives: Many financial institutions are members of industry associations or initiatives that focus on sustainability and climate change. These organizations often collect and publish data on carbon emissions from their members. Examples include the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). Visit their websites and look for reports or databases that provide carbon footprint data from financial institutions.

6. Academic Research: Academic researchers often study the environmental impact of financial institutions and may have collected carbon footprint data as part of their studies. Search academic databases and journals for research papers that focus on the carbon footprint of financial institutions to gather relevant data.

7. Engage with Financial Institutions: Reach out to financial institutions directly and inquire about their carbon footprint data. Some institutions may be willing to share their data or provide additional information on their sustainability efforts. Contact their sustainability or corporate social responsibility departments to initiate a conversation.

Remember that gathering reliable and standardized carbon footprint data may require cross-referencing multiple sources and verifying the accuracy of the data. It is also important to consider the context and methodology used to calculate carbon emissions to ensure comparability between different financial institutions.