Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: ESG, Financial Inclusion, Sustainable Finance
Harnessing Decentralized Finance to Combat Climate Change: A New Era of Sustainable Finance
Video | Jul 21, 2023
Image: Solid World website
In an era where climate change poses significant threats to our planet, innovative solutions are more crucial than ever. One such solution lies in the intersection of decentralized finance (DeFi) and climate change mitigation.
DeFi is revolutionizing approaches to climate change solutions, delving into innovative financial models that promote sustainability while creating new opportunities for investment in a greener future.
Stenver Jerkku, the CEO of Solid World, is at the forefront of this revolution. With a background in urban space and venture-backed tech businesses, Jerkku is now focused on building capital markets to solve climate financing. His current venture, Solid World, aims to tackle the significant issues in the carbon industry, particularly in the voluntary carbon market which is primarily driven by investor pressure to decarbonize portfolios.
Companies are encouraged to reduce their emissions, but to become entirely carbon neutral, they often resort to carbon credits in the voluntary carbon market. These credits involve paying someone else to reduce their emissions or sequester emissions out of the atmosphere.
However, the carbon market faces significant challenges. The current market structure is nontransparent and unstructured, making it difficult for companies and investors to navigate. This lack of transparency and standards is holding back capital and preventing the market from reaching its potential.
To address these issues, Solid World is working on creating standards and transparency in the market. They have developed a risk due diligence framework for evaluating projects and are planning to open-source their underwriting methodology. Additionally, Solid World is creating liquidity pools to structure and price different types of assets, making the market more accessible and understandable for investors.
Several other companies are also contributing to this regenerative finance world. For example:
- Toucan is working on making spot trading transparent
- SAS Global is using AI to predict climate disasters
- Open Forest Protocol is bringing real-time monitoring to nature restoration projects.
See: Alternative forms of capital will be key to develop sustainable economic systems
The intersection of DeFi and climate change presents a new era of sustainable finance. By harnessing the power of DeFi, we can tackle climate change more effectively, promoting sustainability and creating new opportunities for investment in a greener future. As companies like Solid World continue to innovate and push for transparency and standards in the carbon market, we move one step closer to a sustainable future.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Millennial and Gen Z Workforce Demand Purpose-Driven Work: Deloitte Survey Insights
Fortune | Elizabeth Faber | Jul 6, 2023
Image: Unsplash/Eliott Reyna
Ethical alignment and purpose-driven work significantly influences career decisions of Gen Z and Millennials
- Deloitte's latest Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey reveals that nearly 40% of respondents have rejected work assignments due to ethical concerns, and over a third have declined offers from employers they perceive as lacking in areas such as environmental responsibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), or mental health initiatives.
- This underscores the importance of ethical alignment between employees and their organizations, a factor that significantly influences career decisions among younger generations.
- Purpose-Driven Work is a Must:
- The survey indicates that over 80% of Deloitte's global workforce, approximately 330,000 employees, belong to the Millennial and Gen Z demographics.
- These generations are not satisfied with merely working for purpose-driven organizations; they want to actively participate in driving societal change through their work.
- However, only half of the respondents feel empowered to drive change within their organizations, highlighting a gap that employers need to address.
Emerging Investors: Gen Z Canadians Take the Lead in Global Investment Trends
Fintech Fridays EP55: Global Hiring Trends: How Gen Z Talent Thrives
- Climate Action:
- Over half of the respondents research a company's environmental impact and policies before accepting a role, and a quarter plan to change jobs or sectors due to climate concerns.
- Only 15% of Gen Z and Millennial respondents feel they can influence their organization's sustainability efforts.
Organizations must prioritize purpose and impact, promote ethical alignment, and empower employees to drive change. This not only secures long-term commitment from these generations but also creates financial and social value for the organization.
View more --> here
Download the 38 page PDF Survey report --> here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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How Conscious Spending Can Combat the Climate Crisis: Cogo’s Carbon Footprint Management
Cogo | Jul 5, 2023
Image: Cogo
Cogo aims to inspire individuals, businesses, and financial institutions to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a sustainable and fairer world.
They achieve this by helping everyone understand how their spending affects the climate crisis and driving change on a global scale through partnerships with financial institutions.
- Cogo started as 'Conscious Consumers' in 2011, indicating a decade-long commitment to sustainability and positive impact.
- Cogo's carbon footprint for 2021-2022 was 18.35t CO2e, including scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
- They are a Toitū Net Carbon Zero certified organization, demonstrating its commitment to carbon neutrality.
- Cogo has set a target to reduce its total reported absolute Scope 1 + 2 + 3 emissions by 30% by 2030, aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative’s SME Target Setting guidance.
- They have been a Certified B Corporation since 2019, and is a Living Wage certified employer in both the United Kingdom and New Zealand, showing its commitment to social responsibility and fair wages.
Read: Patagonia: Earth is now our only shareholder
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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FCA Speech: Adapting Culture to Meet Changing Societal Norms and Consumer Expectations
FCA | June 26, 2023
Speech by Emily Shepperd, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Authorisations, delivered online at the Westminster Business Forum
- In Emily Shepperd's speech she emphasizes the importance of evolving organizational culture to address generational differences and societal norms.
- She stresses the importance of evolving organizational culture to meet changing societal norms and consumer expectations. This includes fostering an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought and experience, ensuring that regulations align with these changing demands, and moving away from outdated practices that are no longer socially acceptable.
- She believes that these changes can help to create more resilient, sustainable, and customer-focused organizations.
See: Culture: Why regulators should care about diversity and inclusion
- Select quotes and insights:
- Importance of listening, especially for leaders, to create an environment where people feel comfortable to speak up, share their experiences, and provide meaningful challenge. This fosters diversity of thought and helps to drive better outcomes for firms and their customers.
- Companies should ask tough questions when assessing the fitness and propriety of staff in financial services. The FCA views culture as crucial for confidence and can dictate bottom lines.
- As Warren Buffett said: 'It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.'
- On Culture:
- Culture remains central to our supervisory model and underpins conduct and therefore business performance and confidence.
- Culture is not just the slogan on your website. It is the very essence of what your organisation stands for, embodied by how it conducts itself.
- Increasingly, investors are demanding that they put their money towards 'doing some good’ for people and our planet.
- On recruitment: A recent study by Workplace Intelligence found that 74 % of millennial and Gen Z employees would quit a job in a year if there were no opportunities for upskilling and development.
Read the full speech --> here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Navigating the Information Ecosystem: The UN’s Code of Conduct for Digital Platforms (Policy 8)
IISD | Jun 22, 2023
The United Nations is developing a Code of Conduct for Information Integrity on Digital Platforms, aimed at creating a safer, more inclusive digital space.
- The Code of Conduct is intended to be a gold standard for information integrity.
- It defines information integrity as the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of information.
- The digital age has amplified the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, polluting the information ecosystem and posing significant threats to democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.
See: Human Rights and Artificial Intelligence Governance
- This initiative proposes 8 principles to counteract these challenges:
- Commitment to information integrity
- Respect for human rights
- Support for independent media
- Increased transparency
- User empowerment
- Strengthened research and data access
- Scaled up responses
- Stronger disincentives
- Enhanced trust and safety
- The Code of Conduct will be developed through stakeholder consultations and could include the establishment of an independent observatory made up of recognized experts to assess the measures taken by the actors who commit to the Code of Conduct.
Continue to the full article --> here
Download the 29 page PDF report on Information Integrity on Digital Platforms --> here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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How Net Zero Construction Is Changing the Building Industry
May 9, 2023
Image: Courtesy of Pixabay
As world leaders and citizens across the globe continue to open their eyes to the hideous impact that we are all having on our planet, the move towards change has begun. Many of the world's leading countries, including the U.S. and the United Kingdom, have pledged to move towards a goal of Net Zero CO2 emissions by the year 2050.
While this goal may seem unattainable to many, there will need to be dramatic changes in the way we live, build, and operate our world. The changes have already begun, most notably in the construction industry. With new construction accounting for as much as 40% of the total emissions on the planet, it’s a good place to start.
The focus on new construction methods that embrace Net Zero goals, including building procedures and eco-friendly materials, is where we will see the most changes. As many property owners are incentivized towards converting their existing buildings into more efficient and environmental operations, the journey toward Net Zero has begun.
Many governments have mandated that all new building projects be regulated and monitored for their compliance with the Net Zero goals for the future. Insurance companies are giving incentives to owners through their home insurance quotes to embrace eco-friendly features in their homes, helping citizens on the front lines do their part to conserve and create a more green home environment. Let’s take a closer look at a few ways that Net Zero construction is changing the building industry.
Corporate Responsibility
Much of the responsibility of moving towards a Net Zero future falls on the corporate world. Considering that manufacturing goods is the leading cause of polluting the environment, it makes sense that industry would feel the pressure to conform to Net Zero policies. Many companies are rethinking their operations and are creating new processes that are working towards reducing their emissions through innovative technologies.
From the manufacturing process to multi-million dollar business complexes, we are starting to see a shift towards green design that will mandate the necessary changes. The changes will help the world move toward green features as the norm, from solar-powered factories to living roof systems.
Societal Pressure
Activism by passionate supporters of a green future that will change the harmful and devastating direction in which the world is moving is mainly responsible for the current changes. The disapproval of the masses has put pressure on global governments to take action.
Through science and economic study, the leaders of nations worldwide are coming to accept that changes need to be made to ensure a positive future. Companies and individuals who fail to meet the Net Zero requirements will be penalized and demonized for their practices as we move forward to a more sustainable future.
Innovative Progress
To ensure that we are moving towards a Net Zero future, many changes will need to be made to the processes controlling our lives. Operating systems, urban infrastructure, and technology will all be greatly impacted. The construction industry is leading the way from the creation of never-before-seen green construction materials to innovative systems that help homeowners reduce their carbon emissions.
Adoptive Lifestyle
As the construction industry begins to shift toward Net Zero projects, the changes will be most greatly felt in the next generation. Green homes and buildings that are currently a new phenomenon will become commonplace in the next decade. The level of active environmental responsibility will be passed down and through society until it is the accepted norm.
See: French Neobank Startup, Green-Got, Collaborates with 1300 Crowdfunded Climate-Conscious Investors
With the exciting changes that are happening across many industries to achieve a net zero future, the construction industry is leading the way towards the change that will help us save our precious planet.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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French Neobank Startup, Green-Got, Collaborates with 1300 Crowdfunded Climate-Conscious Investors
Techcrunch | Romain Dillet | May 4, 2023
Image: Green-Got
Green-Got, a French startup focused on climate change, is collaborating with 1300 investors who funded the project through crowdfunding to create an alternative to conventional bank accounts.
- Innovations: Green-Got is a climate-focused neobank that ensures customers' money is not invested in environmentally harmful companies.
- The bank tracks the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) of card purchases to help users understand their personal environmental impact.
- Green-Got also donates interchange fees to selected non-profits, as the company does not want to generate revenue from these fees.
See: Alternative forms of capital will be key to develop sustainable economic systems
- Features: Green-Got offers essential banking features, such as a mobile app, a current account with a French account number, and a debit card compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- There are no foreign transaction fees on top of Mastercard's exchange rate.
- The neobank charges a €6 monthly subscription fee, with no free tier, to prioritize sustainable growth.
- Potential Impact: Green-Got aims to address climate concerns in the banking industry and could change the way customers perceive and engage with their banks.
- The neobank competes with traditional retail banks that are incorporating climate impact into their priorities.
- Green-Got's success could encourage more financial institutions to prioritize environmental sustainability and transparency.
Continue to the full article --> here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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