Fintech and Sustainability: Do They Affect Each Other?

Cristina Chueca Vergara and Luis Ferruz Agudo
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Cristina Chueca Vergara: Accounting and Finance Department, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zaragoza, 50005 Zaragoza, Spain
Luis Ferruz Agudo: Accounting and Finance Department, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zaragoza, 50005 Zaragoza, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 13, 1-19

Abstract: Current concerns about environmental issues have led to many new trends in technology and financial management. Within this context of digital transformation and sustainable finance, Fintech has emerged as an alternative to traditional financial institutions. This paper, through a literature review and case study approach, analyzes the relationship between Fintech and sustainability, and the different areas of collaboration between Fintech and sustainable finance, from both a theoretical and descriptive perspective, while giving specific examples of current technological platforms. Additionally, in this paper, two Fintech initiatives (Clarity AI and Pensumo) are described, as well as several proposals to improve the detection of greenwashing and other deceptive behavior by firms. The results lead to the conclusion that sustainable finance and Fintech have many aspects in common, and that Fintech can make financial businesses more sustainable overall by promoting green finance. Furthermore, this paper highlights the importance of European and global regulation, mainly from the perspective of consumer protection.

Keywords: Fintech; sustainability; green investment; socially responsible investing (SRI); green finance; greenwashing; digitization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (64)

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