Going green

Assessing the carbon footprint of fintech and looking to the future.

Paul Penrose Head of Research at Finextra

HP boxes clever...not

HP has dedicated a fair amount of corporate Web space to promoting it's environmentally-friendly 'Green Giant' credentials. So I'm assuming this report from the Register is some kind of elaborate joke: "HP shatters excessive packaging world record". The accompanying picture story details how one amazed Reg reader took receipt of a very ...

21 July 2008 /retail /wholesale

Paul Penrose Head of Research at Finextra

Soaring oil costs force Visa on the back-foot

Visa has announced plans to cut the fees charged to petrol stations in the US, amid growing unrest at the effect that high interchange charges are having on merchant profits. Announcing the move, Visa corporate PR came over all philanthropic, issuing a gushing press release bearing the headline: 'Visa to help ease the pain at the pump'. “While Vis...

27 June 2008 /payments

Matt White North America editor at Finextra

Virgin ditches green card for no card

According to Marketing Week, Virgin Money is shelving plans for a biodegradable card. The firm seems to have decided that if there's one thing greener than a green card it's no card at all, so they're going to concentrate on mobile payments instead. I’m sure at least one regular Finextra blogger will applaud the decision.

16 June 2008 /retail

Retired Member 

Want to go green? On yer bike!

Given the soaring cost of oil and the increasing awareness that global warming really is happening - the email I got from TFL this morning seemed very timely. As part of their drive to increase cycling in London they are now offering free or subsidised training for would-be cyclists. Cycling around London isn't as bad as it may sound - for starter...

11 June 2008

Matt White North America editor at Finextra

HSBC and the not so green credit card

HSBC put out a press release yesterday hailing the US launch of a “green” credit card. Having looked at the details I think it’s safe to say the ecosmart MasterCard is not going to save the planet. The card gives you a ‘reward point’ for every dollar spent – you can then use the points to make donations to various environmental causes. HSBC negle...

29 May 2008 /retail

Nick Hastings 

World Environment Day, 5 June 2008

I was sent an interesting email recently from the Carbon Neutral Company, who are one of our partners for our Finexpo - Green City event. They were letting me know that on 5 June, it's World Environment Day, which also happens to be on the same day as our new Outsouricng event, so a grand day indeed! The Carbon Neutral Company want everyone to...

07 May 2008 /wholesale

Retired Member 

Can you last a whole day without your computer?

A weird idea from Canada but thought provoking - a campaign to get people to shut down their computers and so on for a day. The idea is to spread awareness of the dangers of excessive use of modern technology - from the telly through gaming consoles to the iPhone. Indeed. All things in moderation. It's on May 3rd. I'll be in Weston Park Museum....

28 April 2008

Retired Member 

Walk to work day

I wish I'd known it was walk to work day - I would've done just that today, even tho' it would've been a bit of a hike from North Greenwich. Mind you it may have been quicker than the Jublilee line was today. As the web site helpfully mentions - walking is free, a great way to stay healthy and it makes you feel good too. And in the case of London...

24 April 2008

Retired Member 

Tracking Your 'Smart' Trash

Councils in Sydney, Australia (and other cities) are tracking trash, with RFID chips (like 'smart' cards) being placed on rubbish bins and bins being weighed during the collection process. This provides the council with a record of exactly how much waste is coming out of your household. Councils say that it isn't to help with the 'war on terror', ...

14 April 2008 /security

Paul Penrose Head of Research at Finextra

Money makes the world go around

How do you get senior management buy-in for a commitment to environmental sustainability and carbon neutrality? By hitting executives where it hurts – in the back pocket. That’s the approach that’s been taken by HSBC, where environmental sustainability objectives have been linked to bonus payments in the board room. The global banking giant has co...

11 April 2008 /retail /wholesale