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A greener way to bank.

The banking industry hasn’t always made sustainability a priority. But we’re out to change that for good.

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Starling Bank card in the hand

We’re a digital-first bank

Sustainability isn’t something we aspire to achieve – it’s a fundamental part of who we are, and why we exist.

We launched to the public in 2017. Branchless and paperless from the very beginning, we quickly transformed the way people traditionally manage their money.

No branches with huge carbon footprints, and no paper statements or unnecessary post either.

A phone in hand displays the Starling bank app with a current amount of £10,252.90. Spendings £2,732.10 in May.

From the big to the small

All four of our UK offices run on renewable energy. Our newest office, in Manchester, was built with sustainable design principles and is home to 80,000 worker bees – that’s actual bees, not a cute name for our colleagues.

In 2021, our debit cards became the first UK Mastercard cards to be made from recycled plastic. Our packaging is also 100% recyclable, with a more eco-friendly water-based glue.

A collection of 3 images. The bees, solar panels, Starling bank card in a packaging Starling bank card in the hand.

A purposeful partnership with the National Trust

The National Trust looks after the places you love, from houses, buildings and gardens to coast and countryside. Working with the Trust, we’re:

  • investing in workshops to give primary and secondary school children better access to nature

  • supporting sustainability projects, such as protecting and restoring peatland, one of our most important terrestrial carbon stores

  • providing our staff with the chance to volunteer at a site, lending a hand on conservation and maintenance projects

Fancy a free day out? Refer a friend to Starling to earn a free day pass at a National Trust place of your choice.


Read more about our partnership
A collection of 3 images. National Trust logo, Kids in the forest walk, view of the mountains.

Our other partnerships

Trillion Trees logo

Trillion Trees

By the end of our partnership in March 2023, we funded the planting of 100,000 trees.

TechZero logo

TechZero

Founder member of the climate action group for tech companies fighting the climate crisis.

PCAF logo

Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials

Working with other members to improve how the industry measures emissions linked to lending and investments.

Seat at the Table logo

Seat at the Table

We sponsored this YouTube documentary series following Jack Harries on his journey to COP 26.

We’re committed to net zero by 2050

Following our first carbon footprint audit in 2021, we made a number of commitments:

  • Reach net zero before 2050

  • Reduce emissions from our operations and supply chain by one third by 2030

  • Offset remaining emissions from our operations and supply chain annually

We offset our emissions by purchasing carbon credits. Projects we have supported so far include fighting deforestation, planting trees, enabling fuel efficient cooking in developing countries and supporting renewable energy projects.

See the details of our 2023 offsetting programme

A collection of 3 images. Man planting trees, a Girl looking after the planted tree, Two women smiling at the camera.

Confused by sustainability, or just want to learn more?

We’ve pulled together our most-read articles on the subject from our website:

For support on helping your own business go green, or for inspiration, discover our guides and case studies:

Apply for a Starling bank account today and enjoy app-based banking at its best.

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