The Green Finance Podcast Ep. 16: What’s the environmental impact of payments?

In our journey of reducing our carbon footprint, it turns out that it’s not only what we buy that can make the difference — how we pay for things can play a part, too. According to a GoCardless study, using alternative payment methods like ACH can help consumers lower their carbon footprint by generating zero carbon emissions. This comes in comparison to credit cards, which in 2021 generated an amount of CO2 so high it was the equivalent of driving a diesel car around the Earth approximately 43,000 times. Considering that consumers are actively looking for more ways to reduce their environmental impact, how should we think about payments? How can this sector decarbonize, and what impact can that have? To help us answer these questions, I’ve invited Ben Knight, Head of Environmental Sustainability at GoCardless, a direct bank payment solutions company. Ben’s diverse experience paired with his passion for sustainability and the fact that he’s just a great person to talk to, resulted in a really fun conversation.