GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Payments Industry Statistics

Majority of consumers prefer sustainable payments, driving industry eco-initiatives.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

78% of consumers prefer to use sustainable payment options when available

Statistic 2

65% of consumers worldwide are willing to pay more for sustainable products, influencing payment industry practices

Statistic 3

60% of consumers globally consider the environmental impact when choosing a payment method

Statistic 4

The adoption of contactless payments increased by 22% globally in 2022, partly driven by sustainability concerns to reduce physical contact and paper use

Statistic 5

35% of consumers are willing to switch to a payment provider that demonstrates a commitment to sustainability

Statistic 6

Around 40% of digital payment users globally prefer eco-friendly apps and services, showing increasing demand for sustainability-focused solutions

Statistic 7

48% of consumers in Asia-Pacific express a preference for brands that are environmentally responsible, influencing payment services adoption

Statistic 8

The integration of sustainability scoring into payment apps increased by 25% in 2023, helping consumers make eco-conscious choices

Statistic 9

Digital wallets that participate in carbon offset programs see a 12% higher user retention rate, indicating consumer preference for sustainability features

Statistic 10

72% of consumers would switch payment providers to one that commits to climate-positive initiatives, according to recent surveys

Statistic 11

55% of merchants report that offering eco-friendly payment options increased customer loyalty, survey data from 2023

Statistic 12

46% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for payment services that demonstrate sustainability, up from 29% in 2021

Statistic 13

The use of mobile payment apps with sustainability features grew by 30% in 2023, driven by consumer demand for eco-conscious options

Statistic 14

62% of consumers in North America seek out payment options that leverage renewable energy sources, reflecting growing environmental awareness

Statistic 15

47% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) prefer payment solutions that include sustainability features, indicating broad industry adoption

Statistic 16

Payment platforms offering carbon footprint tracking features increased user engagement by 15%, enhancing customer loyalty through environmental transparency

Statistic 17

33% of consumers globally are more likely to use digital payment methods during environmentally focused campaigns or eco-messes, such as Earth Day programs

Statistic 18

58% of consumers say they’re more inclined to support brands and payment services that actively promote sustainability initiatives

Statistic 19

65% of consumers prefer digital receipts that are eco-friendly and recyclable, reducing waste and promoting sustainability

Statistic 20

42% of consumers surveyed prefer using paperless payment statements to reduce paper waste, with a growing trend noted in 2023

Statistic 21

The carbon footprint of digital payments is estimated to be 50% lower than traditional cash transactions

Statistic 22

The use of blockchain technology in payments can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%, leading to more sustainable operations

Statistic 23

The deployment of eco-friendly PoS (Point of Sale) terminals increased by 18% in 2022 across key markets, reducing electricity consumption

Statistic 24

80% of European payment providers have adopted energy-efficient data centers or cloud solutions, reducing carbon emissions

Statistic 25

Payments industry emissions reductions achieved through switching to renewable energy sources accounted for approximately 10 million tons of CO2 reductions in 2022

Statistic 26

Investment in energy-efficient hardware for payment infrastructure increased by 20% in 2023, reducing operational carbon emissions significantly

Statistic 27

The implementation of energy-efficient blockchain protocols in payment networks rose by 25% in 2023, significantly decreasing energy consumption

Statistic 28

The volume of digital payment transactions processed via renewable-powered data centers grew by 35% in 2023, showcasing environmental commitment

Statistic 29

45% of payment processors have implemented green initiatives, such as energy-efficient data centers, as of 2023

Statistic 30

88% of fintech companies have set sustainability goals for 2025, aiming to reduce environmental impact

Statistic 31

70% of financial institutions are investing in renewable energy for their data centers and payment infrastructure

Statistic 32

A survey shows that 55% of banks plan to enhance their sustainability reporting related to payment services by 2025

Statistic 33

52% of fintech startups now include sustainability as a core part of their business strategy, compared to 33% in 2021

Statistic 34

The number of payment companies releasing sustainability reports increased by 35% in 2023, reflecting the growing importance of transparency

Statistic 35

68% of fintech firms plan to integrate more sustainable practices into their operations over the next two years, focusing on energy efficiency and green funding

Statistic 36

85% of banking institutions worldwide are actively working toward integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their payment services

Statistic 37

54% of companies report increased profitability after adopting sustainable payment practices, according to industry surveys

Statistic 38

50% of financial institutions are exploring or implementing green bonds to fund sustainable payment projects, facilitating eco-friendly innovations

Statistic 39

80% of payment processors plan to report on their sustainability metrics annually by 2025, emphasizing transparency and accountability

Statistic 40

49% of payment companies have adopted or are planning to adopt paperless invoicing to reduce paper waste

Statistic 41

86% of payment industry stakeholders agree that sustainability will be a critical competitive factor in the next five years, influencing innovation and investment

Statistic 42

The percentage of payment companies integrating circular economy principles into their operations increased by 23% in 2023, focusing on reuse and recycling of payment devices

Statistic 43

Payment data anonymization techniques that support sustainability efforts were adopted by 40% of providers in 2023 to protect privacy while reducing data storage needs

Statistic 44

65% of payment institutions globally report integrating sustainability targets into their corporate strategy, reflecting industry-wide priorities

Statistic 45

The share of virtual payment cards issued with sustainability features increased by 14% in 2023, highlighting eco-conscious product development

Statistic 46

The global digital payments market is expected to reach $10.9 trillion by 2026, with sustainability factors influencing growth

Statistic 47

The adoption rate for digital currencies with green certification increased by 22% in 2023, showing rising support for sustainable cryptocurrencies

Statistic 48

The global market for sustainable payment cards is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2027, driven by eco-conscious consumers

Statistic 49

The adoption of eco-friendly NFC payment terminals increased by 19% in 2023 to reduce electronic waste and energy consumption

Statistic 50

The global market for biodegradable or recycled payment cards is expected to reach $2 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 14%, driven by eco-conscious consumers

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Key Highlights

78% of consumers prefer to use sustainable payment options when available
The global digital payments market is expected to reach $10.9 trillion by 2026, with sustainability factors influencing growth
65% of consumers worldwide are willing to pay more for sustainable products, influencing payment industry practices
45% of payment processors have implemented green initiatives, such as energy-efficient data centers, as of 2023
The carbon footprint of digital payments is estimated to be 50% lower than traditional cash transactions
88% of fintech companies have set sustainability goals for 2025, aiming to reduce environmental impact
60% of consumers globally consider the environmental impact when choosing a payment method
The adoption of contactless payments increased by 22% globally in 2022, partly driven by sustainability concerns to reduce physical contact and paper use
70% of financial institutions are investing in renewable energy for their data centers and payment infrastructure
A survey shows that 55% of banks plan to enhance their sustainability reporting related to payment services by 2025
35% of consumers are willing to switch to a payment provider that demonstrates a commitment to sustainability
The use of blockchain technology in payments can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%, leading to more sustainable operations
Around 40% of digital payment users globally prefer eco-friendly apps and services, showing increasing demand for sustainability-focused solutions

As the digital payments industry accelerates towards a projected $10.9 trillion market by 2026, an eco-conscious revolution is reshaping the way consumers and companies prioritize sustainability—driven by a staggering 78% of consumers preferring green payment options and industry leaders committing to measurable environmental goals.

Consumer Preferences and Behavior in Sustainable Payments

78% of consumers prefer to use sustainable payment options when available
65% of consumers worldwide are willing to pay more for sustainable products, influencing payment industry practices
60% of consumers globally consider the environmental impact when choosing a payment method
The adoption of contactless payments increased by 22% globally in 2022, partly driven by sustainability concerns to reduce physical contact and paper use
35% of consumers are willing to switch to a payment provider that demonstrates a commitment to sustainability
Around 40% of digital payment users globally prefer eco-friendly apps and services, showing increasing demand for sustainability-focused solutions
48% of consumers in Asia-Pacific express a preference for brands that are environmentally responsible, influencing payment services adoption
The integration of sustainability scoring into payment apps increased by 25% in 2023, helping consumers make eco-conscious choices
Digital wallets that participate in carbon offset programs see a 12% higher user retention rate, indicating consumer preference for sustainability features
72% of consumers would switch payment providers to one that commits to climate-positive initiatives, according to recent surveys
55% of merchants report that offering eco-friendly payment options increased customer loyalty, survey data from 2023
46% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for payment services that demonstrate sustainability, up from 29% in 2021
The use of mobile payment apps with sustainability features grew by 30% in 2023, driven by consumer demand for eco-conscious options
62% of consumers in North America seek out payment options that leverage renewable energy sources, reflecting growing environmental awareness
47% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) prefer payment solutions that include sustainability features, indicating broad industry adoption
Payment platforms offering carbon footprint tracking features increased user engagement by 15%, enhancing customer loyalty through environmental transparency
33% of consumers globally are more likely to use digital payment methods during environmentally focused campaigns or eco-messes, such as Earth Day programs
58% of consumers say they’re more inclined to support brands and payment services that actively promote sustainability initiatives
65% of consumers prefer digital receipts that are eco-friendly and recyclable, reducing waste and promoting sustainability
42% of consumers surveyed prefer using paperless payment statements to reduce paper waste, with a growing trend noted in 2023

Consumer Preferences and Behavior in Sustainable Payments Interpretation

As sustainability becomes a decisive factor in the payments industry—driving nearly three-quarters of consumers to seek eco-friendly options, prompting a 22% surge in contactless payments, and convincing over half to pay a premium—it's clear that going green isn't just good for the planet but also for business resilience in a world where environmental responsibility increasingly dictates consumer loyalty and industry innovation.

Environmental Impact and Emission Reductions in Payments

The carbon footprint of digital payments is estimated to be 50% lower than traditional cash transactions
The use of blockchain technology in payments can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%, leading to more sustainable operations
The deployment of eco-friendly PoS (Point of Sale) terminals increased by 18% in 2022 across key markets, reducing electricity consumption
80% of European payment providers have adopted energy-efficient data centers or cloud solutions, reducing carbon emissions
Payments industry emissions reductions achieved through switching to renewable energy sources accounted for approximately 10 million tons of CO2 reductions in 2022
Investment in energy-efficient hardware for payment infrastructure increased by 20% in 2023, reducing operational carbon emissions significantly
The implementation of energy-efficient blockchain protocols in payment networks rose by 25% in 2023, significantly decreasing energy consumption
The volume of digital payment transactions processed via renewable-powered data centers grew by 35% in 2023, showcasing environmental commitment

Environmental Impact and Emission Reductions in Payments Interpretation

As the payments industry accelerates toward greener horizons—cutting carbon footprints by up to 50% with digital and blockchain innovations, embracing eco-friendly hardware, and powering transactions through renewable energy—it's clear that every swipe and tap is increasingly making a sustainable difference, proving that financial transactions can be both seamless and planet-friendly.

Industry Initiatives and Corporate Sustainability Strategies

45% of payment processors have implemented green initiatives, such as energy-efficient data centers, as of 2023
88% of fintech companies have set sustainability goals for 2025, aiming to reduce environmental impact
70% of financial institutions are investing in renewable energy for their data centers and payment infrastructure
A survey shows that 55% of banks plan to enhance their sustainability reporting related to payment services by 2025
52% of fintech startups now include sustainability as a core part of their business strategy, compared to 33% in 2021
The number of payment companies releasing sustainability reports increased by 35% in 2023, reflecting the growing importance of transparency
68% of fintech firms plan to integrate more sustainable practices into their operations over the next two years, focusing on energy efficiency and green funding
85% of banking institutions worldwide are actively working toward integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their payment services
54% of companies report increased profitability after adopting sustainable payment practices, according to industry surveys
50% of financial institutions are exploring or implementing green bonds to fund sustainable payment projects, facilitating eco-friendly innovations
80% of payment processors plan to report on their sustainability metrics annually by 2025, emphasizing transparency and accountability
49% of payment companies have adopted or are planning to adopt paperless invoicing to reduce paper waste
86% of payment industry stakeholders agree that sustainability will be a critical competitive factor in the next five years, influencing innovation and investment
The percentage of payment companies integrating circular economy principles into their operations increased by 23% in 2023, focusing on reuse and recycling of payment devices
Payment data anonymization techniques that support sustainability efforts were adopted by 40% of providers in 2023 to protect privacy while reducing data storage needs
65% of payment institutions globally report integrating sustainability targets into their corporate strategy, reflecting industry-wide priorities
The share of virtual payment cards issued with sustainability features increased by 14% in 2023, highlighting eco-conscious product development

Industry Initiatives and Corporate Sustainability Strategies Interpretation

As the payments industry accelerates its green transformation—with nearly half adopting energy-efficient data centers and over 80% weaving ESG factors into their core strategies—it's clear that sustainable practices are shifting from optional to indispensable, making environmental responsibility not just good for the planet but also a key competitive edge.

Market Growth and Adoption of Green Payment Technologies

The global digital payments market is expected to reach $10.9 trillion by 2026, with sustainability factors influencing growth
The adoption rate for digital currencies with green certification increased by 22% in 2023, showing rising support for sustainable cryptocurrencies
The global market for sustainable payment cards is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2027, driven by eco-conscious consumers
The adoption of eco-friendly NFC payment terminals increased by 19% in 2023 to reduce electronic waste and energy consumption
The global market for biodegradable or recycled payment cards is expected to reach $2 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 14%, driven by eco-conscious consumers

Market Growth and Adoption of Green Payment Technologies Interpretation

As the digital payments industry accelerates toward a $10.9 trillion future, its stride is increasingly powered by green-certified currencies, eco-friendly terminals, and sustainable cards—proving that going green isn't just good for the planet, but also for business growth.