Search for sustainable innovations launched to help leading banks and building societies reach net zero
Wates has teamed up with members of the financial services sector to launch sustainable innovations call out in a bid to boost emerging green innovators across the UK.
- Sustainable innovations call out launched to find products or services that can help participating banks and building societies to reduce their environmental impact
- There is an opportunity for a pilot project with participating banks and building societies as well as securing a coveted place on the Wates Innovation Network (WIN)
- The call out is being launched by Wates and Rutland Forums with Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Coventry Building Society, Leeds Building Society and Skipton Building Society.
DO YOU HAVE INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY OR SOLUTION?
The call out will see Wates work with a select group of banks and building societies that form part of Rutland Forums’ Operational Sustainability in Finance (OSiF) forum, including Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Coventry Building Society, Leeds Building Society and Skipton Building Society.
The UK’s most innovative sustainable businesses will have the opportunity to pitch their product or service to a ‘Dragons Den’ style panel of experts from across Wates and the participating banks and building societies, each of which has pledged to explore a funded pilot project as part of their individual strategies to decarbonise their estate.
The call out follows the success of the Sustainable Innovations Competition led by Wates and Lloyds Banking Group in 2023 where the two organisations identified some of the next generation of sustainable services. Eight sustainable innovations have been piloted to date, ranging from an intelligent thermostat that improves the efficiency of air conditioning to friendly bacteria that can unblock urinals and reduce wastewater, to innovative air-powered showers that significantly reduce water usage.
The most interesting could also receive a spot on the Wates Innovation Network (WIN) Portal, the first-of-its-kind and free to use network that connects built environment customers to market-leading sustainable solutions.
Launched in 2021, the WIN portal has over 100 innovation partners including the winners and finalists from the 2023 Sustainable Innovations Competition, offering services including insulation, environmentally friendly paints and recycling companies.
Wates has chosen to partner with selected members of Rutland Forums based on their shared goal for a more sustainable future for the UK’s built environment. Rutland Forums supports leading financial organisations to collaborate on operational sustainability improvements within their property estates, enabling all to hit their carbon reduction targets.
Following the success of the competition in 2023 when we had over 200 applications, we wanted to build on this momentum and bring back the call for more innovations on an even bigger scale.
By expanding the collaboration to involve other UK banks and building societies, we can pool even more diverse resources and expertise into the judging panel. Since we launched the WIN Portal we have already had some amazing engagement and have successfully supported customers across the built environment to decarbonise their buildings. Hopefully this year with a bigger team on board we will have an even more meaningful impact on sustainable development in the UK.”
Dr Zainab Dangana
Head of Wates Sustainable Technology Services
