Author: Vitalija Narstyte

The Three Sustainability Actions That Define the Future of Finance

March 2025, By MM-Eye

Sustainability in finance is no longer just a niche area. It has swiftly transitioned into a fundamental expectation for consumers across the UK. The upcoming Wave 3 of the Say Do Sustainability Study (SDSS) provides revealing insights into precisely what consumers value most when it comes to sustainable finance practices.

Recent research clearly demonstrates the extent to which sustainability influences consumer choices. A 2023 survey from Capgemini indicates 79% of consumers have adjusted their purchasing behaviour due to environmental and social factors, highlighting the necessity for financial institutions to fully grasp and respond to these changing expectations.

Supporting Sustainability Initiatives Beyond Core Operations

Consumers today value brands that actively contribute to broader environmental and community sustainability projects. Such external initiatives signal genuine commitment and help establish trust and loyalty among customers, who increasingly seek brands with tangible sustainability credentials. Financial institutions that invest in meaningful sustainability initiatives outside their immediate business operations are likely to see stronger brand equity and long-term customer retention.

Providing Loans to Fund Sustainability Projects

Financial institutions play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable economy. Data from the UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee shows the global market for sustainability-linked debt has now surpassed US$4.2 trillion, reflecting growing consumer and investor demand. Offering targeted loans to fund sustainability projects aligns directly with consumer expectations and positions banks as key enablers of environmental progress. Providing capital for green energy, carbon reduction, and circular economy initiatives presents an opportunity to lead the market while meeting customer demand.

The Shift Towards 100% Paperless Banking

The push towards digital and paperless processes goes far beyond operational efficiency. Consumers interpret this transition as a genuine step toward reducing environmental impact. Online banking, digital statements, and AI-driven customer support reduce reliance on paper, cutting down on waste while improving accessibility. Banks that embrace fully paperless operations send a strong message about their commitment to sustainability, attracting an increasingly eco-conscious customer base.

Understanding Sustainability Expectations Is a Business Imperative

Understanding consumer perspectives on sustainability is no longer optional; it is a business necessity. Financial institutions that actively engage with their customers’ environmental and social expectations are better equipped to build robust, lasting relationships. This enhances brand perception and can ultimately lead to improved customer loyalty and market differentiation.

As we prepare for the launch of SDSS Wave 3, the early indicators already underline the importance of financial brands understanding precisely what consumers expect from sustainable practices. The financial sector, positioned uniquely at the intersection of capital and societal change, has an exceptional opportunity to lead the way in meeting and surpassing these expectations.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Say Do Sustainability Study and how it can benefit your business, contact us today at info@mm-eye.com or use the form below to book a consultation.

Sustainable Christmas Decorations: Where Tradition Meets Innovation

December 2024, by Katie Brown

Christmas is a time for tradition, but as we become more aware of how our choices impact the planet, it’s clear that some of these traditions need a little update. This doesn’t mean losing the magic of the season—it’s about finding new ways to celebrate that feels good for us and for the environment.

At MM-Eye Ltd, we love innovative thinking, so why not apply that same creativity to the festive season? With a little effort, we can create a Christmas that’s every bit as joyful but much kinder to the planet.

Why Sustainable Decorations?

Every year, tons of plastic decorations are thrown away, and many of them can’t be recycled. Then there’s all the packaging, glitter, and tinsel—most of it ends up in the bin. By switching to more sustainable options, we can cut down on waste and create something truly special that lasts for years to come.

It’s not about being perfect; it’s about taking small steps that make a difference. Plus, sustainable decorations often come with a story or a personal touch, making them even more meaningful.

Simple Ways to Make a Difference

1. Invest in Quality

Instead of buying loads of cheap decorations, choose a few well-made pieces that can be reused year after year. Look for items made from natural materials like wood, metal, or glass. These not only look beautiful but also feel more special than mass-produced plastic.

2. Bring the Outdoors In

Nature is full of inspiration, especially at Christmas.

Use greenery like holly, ivy, and pine to make your own wreaths and garlands. These smell amazing and can go straight into your compost after the Christmas season is finished.

Pinecones and acorns make lovely decorations—paint them, add glitter, or leave them as they are for a more rustic vibe.

3. Get Creative with What You Have

You don’t need to buy new things to make your home feel festive.

Old jars can be turned into candle holders—tie some twine or ribbon around them for a simple but lovely touch.

Even cardboard boxes can be cut into star shapes or snowflakes to hang on your tree.

Making decorations yourself can also be a fun way to spend time with family or friends.

A New Way of Thinking

Sustainability isn’t just about the materials we use—it’s about how we think about the things we buy and keep. Choosing decorations that are reusable or handmade means you’re creating a Christmas that’s both beautiful and meaningful.

At MM-Eye, we always look for purpose in design, and Christmas is no different. A more sustainable approach doesn’t take away the magic—it adds to it by focusing on what really matters.

Start a Tradition

Sustainability can even become part of your family’s Christmas traditions. Here are a few ideas:

Make a new decoration every year to add to your collection. Over time, you’ll have a tree full of memories.

Pass down decorations to your kids or grandkids—it’s a lovely way to keep family history alive.

Shop locally or support small businesses that make handmade, eco-friendly decorations.

A Little Goes a Long Way

We don’t have to get everything perfect right away, but every small step adds up. By thinking a bit more about what we’re buying or making, we can create a Christmas that’s not just joyful but also kinder to the planet.

Let’s make this year’s decorations something to be proud of—not just for how they look, but for the difference they make.

From all of us at MM-Eye Ltd, happy Christmas! Let’s celebrate with a little more creativity and a lot more care this year. If you’re interested in learning more about MM-Eye and how we can help you with your sustainability goals, contact us today at info@mm-eye.com or use the form below to book a consultation.

HOW B CORP IS BENEFITING OUR BUSINESS

When we became a B Corp in September 2023, MM-Eye joined a growing community of businesses worldwide that have achieved high social and environmental performance standards and are committed to using their business as a force for good.  In the few weeks since becoming a B Corp, we have already seen the benefits of being part of a vibrant, positive community of like-minded businesses sharing the same values and seeking to drive positive change.

So, what is B Corp?

B Corp is an accreditation awarded to companies who have achieved high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability and meet targets across five areas: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers.  There are almost 6,000 B Corps worldwide, and more than 1,500 of these are in the UK.  We are very proud to have joined their ranks. In the UK, B Lab assesses a company’s achievement against a range of targets through a rigorous process resulting in a score.  To remain a B Corp, a company must recertify in 3 years and show an improved score.

We began our B Corp journey in 2022 when we began the application process.  In that time, we have seen three main business benefits to being part of the B Corp community:

1. Renewed enthusiasm and motivation in our team;
2. Attracting new staff in our recruitment campaigns;
3. New business opportunities identified, specifically research and stakeholder engagement services tailored to support other B Corp companies.

Our Team

In preparing our B Corp application, we enhanced and recommitted to various staff welfare, well-being and training initiatives, which our staff enthusiastically engaged with and took ownership of, for example, our initiatives to achieving a net zero carbon footprint and improving engagement with our communities.  We are now proud partners of Ecologi (also a B Corp) to help manage and offset our carbon footprint, and through our community action team we recently partnered with Hands on London to spend a day working on a nature conservation project at Wormwood Scrubs Park, West London.

Recruitment

We have recruited several new team members in the last year to support our ongoing growth.  In a competitive recruitment environment, we felt our ethos of being a business driving positive change helped us to stand out from other recruiters, attracting quality candidates who share our values.

Tailored research services for B Corp companies: As a result of our experience applying for B Corp, we saw the potential for market research tools to make life easier for other companies embarking on their B Corp journey.  We created online surveys to gather data and opinions from employees, customers and suppliers as evidence to support our B Corp application.  These surveys are now available to be used by other companies applying for B Corp and for existing B Corps when they start their re-certification in 3 years or annual self-certification.

We also created a service to support companies through the Materiality Assessment process. This process helps companies prioritise areas where change will have the greatest impact, such as the environment, social impact, and governance (ESG).  Our insight-driven Materiality Assessment service, embedding stakeholder engagement and insight tools at the heart of the process, ensures the company identifies and prioritises key initiatives that are of most significant importance to stakeholder groups.

We are keen to collaborate with other B Corp businesses and share our skills to benefit others.  We also offer these services at a 10% discount on our usual day rate to B Corps and those companies applying for B Corp. If you want to learn more about our B Corp data collection surveys or our Materiality Assessment service, or indeed just want to chat about our B Corp journey, please do not hesitate to get in touch.  We look forward to speaking to you soon.