IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v12y2020i24p10691-d465981.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

How Green FinTech Can Alleviate the Impact of Climate Change—The Case of Switzerland

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Puschmann

    (Swiss FinTech Innovation Lab, Department of Banking and Finance, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Christian Hugo Hoffmann

    (Swiss FinTech Innovation Lab, Department of Banking and Finance, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Valentyn Khmarskyi

    (Swiss FinTech Innovation Lab, Department of Banking and Finance, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland)

Abstract

The financial services industry is currently undergoing a major transformation, with digitization and sustainability being the core drivers. While both concepts have been researched in recent years, their intersection, often conceived as “green FinTech,” remains under-determined. Therefore, this paper contributes to this important discussion about green FinTech by, first, synthesizing the relevant literature systematically. Second, it shows the results of an empirical, in-depth analysis of the Swiss FinTech landscape both in terms of green FinTech startups as well as the services offered by the incumbents. The research results show that literature in this new domain has only emerged recently, is mostly characterized by a specific focus on isolated aspects of green FinTech and does not provide a comprehensive perspective on the topic yet. In addition, the results from the literature and the market analysis indicate that green FinTech has an impact along the whole value chain of financial services covering customer-to-customer (c2c), business-to-customer (b2c), and business-to-business (b2b) services. Today the field is predominantly captured by startup companies in contrast to the incumbents whose solutions are still rare.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Puschmann & Christian Hugo Hoffmann & Valentyn Khmarskyi, 2020. "How Green FinTech Can Alleviate the Impact of Climate Change—The Case of Switzerland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-30, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:24:p:10691-:d:465981
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/24/10691/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/24/10691/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Emilia Krajnakova & Mantas Svazas & Valentinas Navickas, 2019. "Biomass blockchain as a factor of energetical sustainability development," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 6(3), pages 1456-1467, March.
    2. Christian Haddad & Lars Hornuf, 2016. "The Emergence of the Global Fintech Market: Economic and Technological Determinants," Research Papers in Economics 2016-10, University of Trier, Department of Economics.
    3. W. Scott Frame & Lawrence J. White, 2009. "Technological Change, Financial Innovation, and Diffusion in Banking," Working Papers 09-03, New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Department of Economics.
    4. World Commission on Environment and Development,, 1987. "Our Common Future," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192820808.
    5. Bailu Fu & Zhan Shu & Xiaogang Liu, 2018. "Blockchain Enhanced Emission Trading Framework in Fashion Apparel Manufacturing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-19, April.
    6. Roberto Leonardo Rana & Pasquale Giungato & Angela Tarabella & Caterina Tricase, 2019. "Blockchain Applications and Sustainability Issues," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 21(S13), pages 861-861, November.
    7. Mahtab Kouhizadeh & Joseph Sarkis, 2018. "Blockchain Practices, Potentials, and Perspectives in Greening Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-16, October.
    8. Diestelmeier, Lea, 2019. "Changing power: Shifting the role of electricity consumers with blockchain technology – Policy implications for EU electricity law," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 189-196.
    9. Rabe, Wiebke & Kostka, Genia & Smith Stegen, Karen, 2017. "China's supply of critical raw materials: Risks for Europe's solar and wind industries?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 692-699.
    10. William Nikolakis & Lijo John & Harish Krishnan, 2018. "How Blockchain Can Shape Sustainable Global Value Chains: An Evidence, Verifiability, and Enforceability (EVE) Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-16, October.
    11. Lars Hornuf, 2016. "The Emergence of the Global Fintech Market: Economic and Technological Determinants," IAAEU Discussion Papers 201606, Institute of Labour Law and Industrial Relations in the European Union (IAAEU).
    12. Perrons, Robert K. & Cosby, Tonya, 2020. "Applying blockchain in the geoenergy domain: The road to interoperability and standards," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    13. Arena, Marika & Bengo, Irene & Calderini, Mario & Chiodo, Veronica, 2018. "Unlocking finance for social tech start-ups: Is there a new opportunity space?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 154-165.
    14. Christian Haddad & Lars Hornuf, 2016. "The Emergence of the Global Fintech Market: Economic and Technological Determinants," CESifo Working Paper Series 6131, CESifo.
    15. Xiang Deng & Zhi Huang & Xiang Cheng, 2019. "FinTech and Sustainable Development: Evidence from China Based on P2P Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-19, November.
    16. Lee Won Park & Sanghoon Lee & Hangbae Chang, 2018. "A Sustainable Home Energy Prosumer-Chain Methodology with Energy Tags over the Blockchain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-18, March.
    17. Florentina Magda Enescu & Nicu Bizon & Adrian Onu & Maria Simona Răboacă & Phatiphat Thounthong & Alin Gheorghita Mazare & Gheorghe Șerban, 2020. "Implementing Blockchain Technology in Irrigation Systems That Integrate Photovoltaic Energy Generation Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-30, February.
    18. Brose,Margarita S. & Flood,Mark D. & Krishna,Dilip & Nichols,Bill (ed.), 2014. "Handbook of Financial Data and Risk Information I," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107012011, November.
    19. Yong Jae Shin & Yongrok Choi, 2019. "Feasibility of the Fintech Industry as an Innovation Platform for Sustainable Economic Growth in Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-21, September.
    20. Lars Hornuf, 2016. "The Emergence of the Global Fintech Market: Economic and Technological Determinants," IAAEG Discussion Papers until 2011 201606, Institute of Labour Law and Industrial Relations in the European Union (IAAEU).
    21. Kenneth R. French & Martin N. Baily & John Y. Campbell & John H. Cochrane & Douglas W. Diamond & Darrell Duffie & Anil K Kashyap & Frederic S. Mishkin & Raghuram G. Rajan & David S. Scharfstein & Robe, 2010. "The Squam Lake Report: Fixing the Financial System," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 9261.
    22. Braun, Alexander & Schreiber, Florian, 2017. "The Current InsurTech Landscape: Business Models and Disruptive Potential," I.VW HSG Schriftenreihe, University of St.Gallen, Institute of Insurance Economics (I.VW-HSG), volume 62, number 62.
    23. Ahl, Amanda & Yarime, Masaru & Tanaka, Kenji & Sagawa, Daishi, 2019. "Review of blockchain-based distributed energy: Implications for institutional development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 200-211.
    24. Jiani Wu & Nguyen Khoi Tran, 2018. "Application of Blockchain Technology in Sustainable Energy Systems: An Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-22, August.
    25. Ahl, A. & Yarime, M. & Goto, M. & Chopra, Shauhrat S. & Kumar, Nallapaneni Manoj. & Tanaka, K. & Sagawa, D., 2020. "Exploring blockchain for the energy transition: Opportunities and challenges based on a case study in Japan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    26. Zhu, Shuai & Song, Malin & Lim, Ming Kim & Wang, Jianlin & Zhao, Jiajia, 2020. "The development of energy blockchain and its implications for China's energy sector," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Thomas Puschmann & Valentyn Khmarskyi, 2024. "Green fintech: Developing a research agenda," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 2823-2837, July.
    2. Kouhizadeh, Mahtab & Saberi, Sara & Sarkis, Joseph, 2021. "Blockchain technology and the sustainable supply chain: Theoretically exploring adoption barriers," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    3. Yildizbasi, Abdullah, 2021. "Blockchain and renewable energy: Integration challenges in circular economy era," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 183-197.
    4. Thomas Puschmann, 2017. "Fintech," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 59(1), pages 69-76, February.
    5. Yahia Baashar & Gamal Alkawsi & Ammar Ahmed Alkahtani & Wahidah Hashim & Rina Azlin Razali & Sieh Kiong Tiong, 2021. "Toward Blockchain Technology in the Energy Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-20, August.
    6. Hoang, Ha, 2020. "Fintech And Industrial Revolution 4.0, The Impact On The Financial World," OSF Preprints n7vqg, Center for Open Science.
    7. Chalmers, Dominic & Matthews, Russell & Hyslop, Amy, 2021. "Blockchain as an external enabler of new venture ideas: Digital entrepreneurs and the disintermediation of the global music industry," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 577-591.
    8. Adele Parmentola & Antonella Petrillo & Ilaria Tutore & Fabio De Felice, 2022. "Is blockchain able to enhance environmental sustainability? A systematic review and research agenda from the perspective of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 194-217, January.
    9. Anil Savio Kavuri & Alistair Milne, 2019. "FinTech and the future of financial services: What are the research gaps?," CAMA Working Papers 2019-18, Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis, Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.
    10. Roth, Tamara & Utz, Manuel & Baumgarte, Felix & Rieger, Alexander & Sedlmeir, Johannes & Strüker, Jens, 2022. "Electricity powered by blockchain: A review with a European perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 325(C).
    11. Md. Morshadul Hasan & Lu Yajuan & Appel Mahmud, 2020. "Regional Development of China’s Inclusive Finance Through Financial Technology," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(1), pages 21582440199, February.
    12. Cécile Fonrouge & Daniela Bolzani, 2019. "Motivations and barriers to crowdlending as a tool for diasporic entrepreneurial finance," Post-Print halshs-02077559, HAL.
    13. Florian Röder & Andreas Walter, 2019. "What Drives Investment Flows Into Social Trading Portfolios?," Journal of Financial Research, Southern Finance Association;Southwestern Finance Association, vol. 42(2), pages 383-411, July.
    14. Daniela DAMIAN, 2018. "Freelancing, the solution of employees in the context of the technological revolution," Risk in Contemporary Economy, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, pages 276-280.
    15. Yi Wang & Yafei Yang & Zhaoxiang Qin & Yefei Yang & Jun Li, 2023. "A Literature Review on the Application of Digital Technology in Achieving Green Supply Chain Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, May.
    16. Stern, Caroline & Mäkinen, Mikko & Qian, Zongxin, 2017. "Fin Techs in China: With a special focus on peer to peer lending," BOFIT Policy Briefs 8/2017, Bank of Finland Institute for Emerging Economies (BOFIT).
    17. Ernest Barceló & Katarina Dimić-Mišić & Monir Imani & Vesna Spasojević Brkić & Michael Hummel & Patrick Gane, 2023. "Regulatory Paradigm and Challenge for Blockchain Integration of Decentralized Systems: Example—Renewable Energy Grids," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-27, January.
    18. Ahl, A. & Yarime, M. & Goto, M. & Chopra, Shauhrat S. & Kumar, Nallapaneni Manoj. & Tanaka, K. & Sagawa, D., 2020. "Exploring blockchain for the energy transition: Opportunities and challenges based on a case study in Japan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    19. Bömer, Max & Maxin, Hannes, 2018. "Why Fintechs Cooperate with Banks - Evidence from Germany," Hannover Economic Papers (HEP) dp-637, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät.
    20. Arim Park & Huan Li, 2021. "The Effect of Blockchain Technology on Supply Chain Sustainability Performances," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-18, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:24:p:10691-:d:465981. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.