We don’t need a crystal ball to predict that economies globally will likely get worse before they get better; or that energy prices and interest rates will continue to rise. But what does it all mean for the climate; consumers and banks? 

Late last year, I sat down with Emma Kisby, Cogo’s CEO UK/EU; to discuss the themes we believe will play out over the months ahead and what it will take for us all to achieve lasting change.

At the end of the FY in New Zealand and with almost 1/3 of the year behind us, the advice is still timely and sage...

TLDR

If you’re short on time, here’s a handy summary:

- Harnessing consumer data to put individuals in charge of making positive changes is a no brainer

- Measurement is never a perfect science and we shouldn’t allow our misgiving to halt progress

- It’s time to change the narrative around how we frame the biggest opportunities for change

- Let’s not allow cancel culture or short-termism to get in the way of sustainability efforts

Using data to achieve targeted support

“Understandably, given current economic trends, banks are under pressure to invest in the things that will make the biggest difference to their competitive advantage. This is really positive from a customer experience perspective. In particular, we’re seeing banks ponder how to give customers and SMEs targeted support around the cost of living crisis,” said Emma.  

“In 2023, we believe banks will be looking to leverage data to provide that targeted support. Those who can help customers put their data to work to realise cost savings will be placing themselves ahead of the pack. Helping them do that in a way that benefits the planet is a further evolution of the positive use of customer data with the added benefit of positioning banks as a lifestyle partner of choice,” added Emma.

Progress not perfection

But as we know, the devil is in the details. What holds a lot of larger institutions back from making progress is an assumption that the data has to be perfect before they can launch their campaign. In reality, by using technology like Cogo, the data we have is robust enough to quantify a consumer’s carbon footprint in relation to their monetary spend; and suggest quantifiable climate actions that benefit both a consumer’s pocket and the planet. Measurement is never a perfect science - but it’s perfect enough to support progress.

Changing the narrative

On the subject of perfection, Emma believes the tide needs to shift around how we frame the impact that large industry has on the climate. “It can be easy to sound accusatory…but looked at another way, those who have the greatest impact also have the greatest opportunity to make and effect change. If we expected change, and supported it, this might make it a little easier for those at the beginning of their journey to be bold enough to take a stand.

Has ‘cancel culture’ made it to sustainability?

We believe that a form of 'cancel culture' may be shutting down many companies' sustainability efforts before they even start.

As a business we work with 12 banks globally, and so we're well positioned to comment on companies making a real effort to move the dial on climate change and how these efforts are met by the media and market; or even scuppered before they can take off.   

Although most countries don’t yet require companies to disclose their carbon footprint or environmental impact, this is likely to change. The good news is that the world's biggest companies are increasingly disclosing their greenhouse gas emissions and other energy metrics voluntarily. They're also moving to enable their customers to measure, understand and reduce their impact on the climate (by embedding Cogo's technology into their banking or accounting apps, for instance) – and being judged on these efforts by consumers/the media. That judgement is often that 1. These efforts are 'not enough' or don't measure up 2. Are akin in 'greenwashing' 3. Aren't 100% 'verified'.

Don’t believe us? Google 'sustainability efforts a farce' and you'll get over 2 million results. It's a thing.

“While all three of these represent very legitimate concerns, we are noticing a real hesitancy to announce effort in this space. Banks wanting to take their customers on the journey by empowering them, using tech like Cogo, often do so in 'stealth mode' for fear of criticism. They don't want to  the example' for fear of 'being made an example'. What we need is for businesses to take a leadership stance. They need to feel confident and have a level of logic around doing the right thing,” said Emma.  

The dangers of short-termism

In addition, post-Covid and facing the headwinds of change, Julie believes there is a real danger in focusing only on 'short-termism' i.e. the immediate and pressing logistical and financial needs of a business only. Sometimes, this comes at the expense of long-term strategy around issues such as climate change that require more strategic, longer range thinking.

When external pressures are very real - it's easy to push pause on things that seem 'intangible' such as climate change; to cancel meetings that aren't core to business 'right now'. In reality, climate is the important work right now and for banks, will affect their ability to attract and retain climate-conscious consumers in future as public discourse around this shifts.