By Richard Theo, Co-founder and CEO of Zero
In the face of accelerating climate change and rising economic uncertainty, there is a growing
realisation that how we earn, spend, save and invest must become a more powerful tool for
positive environmental and social impact.
Consumers are no longer content with financial institutions that prioritise profit at the planet’s expense. They’re seeking transparency, accountability, and above all, alignment with their values.
At Zero, we believe the future of finance lies in empowering individuals to embed
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into their everyday financial choices.
It’s not just a trend, it’s a transformation.
The climate cost of conventional banking
Most people don’t realise that their money sitting in a traditional bank account may be funding
activities that contradict their values, such as fossil fuel extraction or deforestation.
That disconnect between values and financial services is why Zero was founded. We’re a B-
Corp certified, sustainable FinTech reimagining personal finance for a generation that puts the
planet first. Our mission is simple: to make money a force for good.
Tools for conscious consumers
Zero offers a digital-first money app, personal account, and debit Mastercard, but with
sustainability embedded at every level. Our GreenScore® feature is a proprietary environmental
impact index, giving users a clear, intuitive score out of 1000 reflecting the environmental impact
of their spending.
This index not only raises awareness but also encourages behaviour change,
nudging users towards greener choices and helping them reduce their carbon footprints.
As we expand our offerings, we’re doubling down on our commitment to giving consumers tools
to take control of their financial impact.
“We will be launching the Zero Planet Safe savings account, an instant access savings product which will offer a leading interest rate with the money deposited in a planet safe place,” says Richard Theo, Zero’s Co-founder & CEO. “It’s not going to be used by a bank to lend for drilling oil wells, for example.”
Offsetting harm, amplifying good
Understanding that even conscious consumers sometimes contribute to carbon emissions,
we’re also preparing to launch the Zero Carbon Projects.
This feature will allow customers to voluntarily offset the emissions linked to their purchases by contributing to high-impact carbon removal initiatives, ranging from mangrove restoration to cutting-edge technologies like direct air capture.
The carbon offsetting feature integrates directly with our GreenScore® system, offering a
seamless way for users to take climate action, and transparently track the impact of their
contributions within the app.
“Our GreenScore feature allows people to spend a little bit extra to compensate for any transactions or any spending that’s harming the planet.” says Richard Theo Zero’s Co-founder and CEO.
The future of Zero
We’re planning on building an ESG investment proposition designed for a new generation of
savers who want their money to grow without compromising their values.
This will enable users to channel funds into portfolios focused on ESG-rated businesses and funds with strong sustainability credentials.
Whether it’s long-term wealth-building or short-term savings, every financial decision will be
aligned with a broader commitment to people and the planet. Richard Theo at Zero, said “We also aim to launch an ESG investment proposition to allow young people who want to put some of their money into longer term growth to potentially outperform their savings by investing in ESG funds and aspire to have their money grow faster.”
Embedding ESG principles: why it matters
ESG shouldn’t be an add-on, it should be the foundation of how we build financial products and
services. Embedding ESG principles at the consumer level does three vital things:
1. Builds trust: Today’s consumers expect transparency. B-Corp certification and public
impact reporting, like Zero’s own 2024 Sustainability Report, give users confidence that
their financial provider walks the talk.
2. Encourages behavioural change: Data driven tools like GreenScore® turn abstract
environmental impacts into actionable insights. When users see the effect of their
spending in real time, we believe they are more likely to change habits, leading to
broader collective impact.
3. Mobilises capital for good: Perhaps most importantly, directing everyday financial
flows, spending, saving, and investing away from harmful industries and toward
sustainable alternatives can reshape entire sectors. As capital shifts, so will corporate
behaviour.
A world where money is a force for the good of the planet
Our vision at Zero is a world where money is a force for the good of the planet. We’re not just
building a product but a movement with a community of 11,000 and growing, who are actively
reshaping finance to serve both their future and that of the planet.
We believe climate action will happen when people feel they’re on the same journey as others, not only taking action at an individual level – by growing and mobilising our community there is
big potential for change.
ESG is not the domain of specialists anymore. It’s a personal finance issue. And as we bring
these products to market, we invite consumers, partners, and policymakers to rethink what it
means to bank sustainably.
Because the future of money isn’t only digital. It’s ethical, equitable… and green.
