Sustainability is no longer a “nice-to-have” for fintechs — it’s a game changer. At Fintech Live London, three industry leaders shared how embedding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals into fintech platforms can unlock a 16% revenue growth advantage while driving meaningful climate action.

In a fireside chat moderated by Neil Perry, Group Broadcast Director at BizClik, Raquel Orejas (ESG Director, Payhawk), Karolina Derwisz (Senior Director of Sustainable Solutions, Visa), and Roberto Bruggemann (Co-founder and CTO, Lune) unpacked why sustainability has surged to the top of business agendas, the barriers companies face, and how fintechs are perfectly positioned to accelerate change.

Watch: Fireside: Fintech, Sustainability, and Revenue Growth at FinTech LIVE London 2024

https://youtu.be/aUGfTp5xVPA?feature=shared

Why is sustainability now at the top of business agendas?

Sustainability is no longer an isolated initiative—it’s a central driver of business strategy. Karolina explained that the momentum is powered by an ecosystem-wide shift:

• Consumer demand: Over 90% of consumers now prioritise sustainable options, creating an irreversible trend.
• SME action: Three in four SMEs have already implemented sustainability measures, showing its impact across business sizes.
• Investor focus: With 77% of investors favouring sustainable companies, ESG alignment is becoming a must-have for competitiveness.

Roberto added that businesses face a stark choice: “Ignore the climate challenge at their peril, or proactively embrace sustainability to stay ahead. Those who hesitate risk losing customers and being forced to act later, under greater regulatory pressure.”

Learn: Why EU climate regulation means thousands of businesses of all shapes and sizes will have to report on their emissions in 2025

This alignment of consumer, investor, and regulatory priorities means businesses can no longer ignore sustainability—but adopting it is far from straightforward. This is why many businesses are turning to their partners for support.

What are the biggest obstacles your customers face in achieving their sustainability goals?

The panel agreed that many businesses struggle to turn good intentions into meaningful action due to systemic barriers.

Raquel pointed to visibility as a major challenge for Payhawk’s customers:
“Most companies don’t have clear insight into their spending’s environmental impact. Traditional systems aren’t equipped to track ESG metrics, leaving businesses in the dark.”

Roberto echoed this, noting the lack of education on sustainability:
“Many companies don’t know where to start. The complexity of regulations and reporting requirements creates friction, and too often, climate action feels disconnected from everyday business processes.”

Karolina addressed the intention-action gap that stymies progress:
“Our research shows that price isn’t the only barrier. Businesses also struggle with access to information and sustainable options. These are solvable problems—and fintechs are ideally placed to provide the solutions.”

These obstacles present an opportunity for fintechs to step up, not just as service providers but as enablers of meaningful change.

How are fintechs helping customers overcome these barriers?

The conversation then turned to solutions, with each panellist sharing how fintechs are bridging the gap between ambition and action.

Karolina highlighted Visa’s partnerships with innovators like Lune, Ecolytiq, and Plan A:
“These collaborations empower our issuers to offer actionable tools that help customers not only measure but act on their sustainability goals.”

Raquel shared how Payhawk Green, powered by Lune, enables customers to track and calculate emissions from their transactions, with a particular focus on Scope 3 emissions:
“Our platform simplifies ESG data collection and reporting, making it easier for businesses to integrate sustainability into their financial operations.”

Roberto noted that Lune’s solutions eliminate two major barriers: friction and trust.
“By automating emissions reporting and ensuring audit-ready calculations, fintechs can give their customers confidence and make climate action seamless. This is what makes sustainability scalable.”

Through partnerships and innovative technology, fintechs are showing that sustainability can be embedded into everyday business workflows — unlocking both impact and growth.

For fintechs wanting to make ESG part of their value proposition, where should they start?

The panel concluded with practical advice for fintech product managers looking to make sustainability a core offering.

Karolina emphasized the importance of understanding customer pain points: “Start by addressing the challenges your customers face. This creates trust, builds a strong business case, and makes implementation easier.”

Raquel suggested partnering with environmental technology providers to integrate ESG data seamlessly into products: “Fintechs already know finance—collaborating with climate tech companies can enhance transparency and decision-making.”

Roberto’s advice was succinct: “Lead by example. Be decisive. Don’t wait to act.”

Support your customers through the green transition

The fireside chat reinforced a powerful takeaway: fintechs have the tools, partnerships, and insights to drive the sustainability transformation their customers are demanding.

As Karolina pointed out, “Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s a business imperative.” By embedding ESG into their platforms, fintechs are not only accelerating their customers’ sustainability goals but also unlocking new revenue opportunities.

The question is no longer whether fintechs should act—it’s how fast they can.

To learn more about how fintechs are supporting their customers through the green transition, download Lune’s free guide.