Green tech boosted as UK finance institutions pilot sustainability innovations
Financial sector unites to help drive the sector’s journey to net zero.
- Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Coventry Building Society, Skipton Building Society and Leeds Building Society (all members of the Sustainable Business Consortium) collaborate to scale innovation in sustainability at pace
- We act as the catalyst to help the sector achieve its net-zero ambitions faster
Yesterday, a group of five UK banks and building societies named nine sustainability innovations they will be piloting across their estates:
Winners:
- Coltraco Ultrasonics – Portascanner AIRTIGHT (handheld airtightness testing device)
- Smartcool – Panoramic Power (energy management)
- Smartcool – Energy Saving System (ESS)
- The Energy Savers – Quattro Seal (draught proofing system)
- Tepeo – Zero-emission boiler
- Future Six – Thermacote (high-performance insulation coating)
- Tyle – Solartyle (IBC solar cell technology)
- Voltalis – Smart thermostat
- Voltsmart – Energy-efficient fuse boards
In addition, nine technologies were awarded Highly Commended status for their innovation and potential impact:
Highly Commended:
- Adaptavate – Breathaboard (bio-composite wallboard)
- AIM Housing – Energy performance dashboard and building digitisation
- Hydro-X – Bifipro copper silver ionisation system
- Circular 11 – Carbon-negative plastic lumber
- Kelda Showers – Air-powered water-saving showers
- Traco Ltd – Reuse portal for surplus materials
- Symphony Energy – HVAC smart optimisation
- Entrnce – The Matcher (24/7 carbon-free energy tracking)
- Ventrix Labs – Decentralised carbon capture system
These up-to-the-minute technologies were selected through our annual Financial Services Sustainable Technology Competition, run in partnership with the Sustainable Business Consortium, to help decarbonise the institutions’ estates and advance environmental and operational goals across the sector.
The competition has been running since 2021. Previously held in partnership with Lloyds Banking Group alone, the 2025 edition saw it expand to NatWest Group (which hosted the final), Coventry Building Society, Skipton Building Society and Leeds Building Society – reflecting a growing industry-wide commitment to sustainable innovation on the journey to net zero.
The finalists were selected following a rigorous evaluation of over 100 entries and a competitive green ‘Dragon’s Den’-style pitch process. Their winning technologies stood out for their exceptional innovation, potential impact and ability to drive meaningful change.
This year’s entries tackle key environmental challenges, including reducing operational carbon, minimising waste, enhancing biodiversity and more sustainable commuting.
This year’s awards are a testament to the power of collaboration. By uniting sustainability expertise with the ambition of multiple financial institutions, we’re creating a platform that not only accelerates innovation but also ensures that the benefits are shared across the sector. The quality of submissions has been exceptional, and we’re excited to see how these solutions will shape a more sustainable future in the finance sector.”
Dr Zainab Dangana
Head of Sustainable Technology Services at Wates Group
In addition to being piloted by the participating financial institutions, the winning innovations have the opportunity to join the Wates Innovation Network (WIN) portal – a curated platform that offers access to a marketplace of cutting-edge technologies, materials and solutions.
We’ve already seen strong results from collaborating with partners who pitched in previous years. But when it comes to sustainability, there’s always room to go further. That’s why we were especially excited to join forces with industry peers for this year’s competition to help encourage wider take-up of these innovations. The solutions presented have been truly impressive, and we’re looking forward to working together on the pilots and seeing them deliver cost and carbon savings for our organisations.”
Daniel Coakley
Sustainability Manager at Lloyds Banking Group
It’s been inspiring to watch the progress of this year’s competition participants. I’m confident that each of them will play a key role in helping the banks and building societies achieve – and in some cases, surpass – their sustainability targets. Their contributions will accelerate impact across the sector, driving meaningful change faster, which is something we can all be proud of.”
Haydn Young
Founder and CEO at the Sustainable Business Consortium
