Global payments infrastructure platform Optty has partnered with ekko, a sustainability platform for banks and payments companies, to make it easier for businesses to offer sustainable payment tools at scale.
Through the partnership, Optty and ekko will look to enable financial institutions and their clients to include carbon tracking in their payment experience. Leveraging these capabilities, consumers will be able to see the impact of their purchases on climate and nature, and take action by supporting certified environmental projects.
The collaboration comes as consumer demand for transparency and informed spending choices rises. In 2023, 63 per cent of consumers viewed climate change as a serious issue (up from 49 per cent in 2003), according to a GlobeScan survey. The same survey also revealed that 72 per cent of consumers would like more information on how companies are making their products better for the environment.
Recognising the increasing urgency for large-scale sustainable solutions, ekko and Optty are partnering to bring sustainability knowledge and action to users worldwide, seamlessly embedded in everyday payments.
“Consumers want to make more sustainable choices, and businesses are looking for ways to support them, they want to meet that demand,” explained Oli Cook, CEO and co-founder of ekko. “By working with Optty, we’re making it easier than ever for companies to offer carbon footprint tracking and the option to compensate for it, without extra complexity or disruption. Together, we’re turning everyday actions into positive impact.”
Through Optty’s global payment infrastructure platform, which provides access to local payment methods in over 140 countries worldwide, merchants can now add ekko’s real-time sustainability tools alongside their existing payment methods.
Making sustainability more accessible
Through the partnership, consumers will also have the option to support leading environmental organisations through micro-donations, making sustainability a simple, seamless part of everyday shopping. The product is now being rolled out with merchants globally, and already integrated into a growing number of payment journeys, giving consumers a seamless way to shop in line with their values.
Steven Ritchie, interim CEO of Optty, also added: “Optty was built to simplify payments, giving partners and merchants greater control, flexibility, and choice. As a B Corp-certified company committed to responsible commerce and cutting-edge financial technology, sustainability is a natural extension of our mission.
“That’s why we’ve partnered with ekko – a pioneer at the intersection of financial services and sustainability. ekko’s climate-conscious payment solutions enhance customer engagement while supporting the planet. This shared commitment aligns with Optty’s strategy to deliver adaptable, cost-effective payment solutions globally. Together, we ensure businesses can simplify payments without sacrificing growth or sustainability, setting a new standard for responsible commerce.”
