In a bold move to bridge sustainability efforts between developed and developing nations, Taiwan-based startup GreenHope is leveraging blockchain technology to create a cross-border rewards system for eco-friendly consumer behavior. As ESG considerations become increasingly crucial for international financing, GreenHope’s platform offers a unique solution for companies to enhance their sustainability credentials while operating in multiple countries.
Founded by Hsiang-Hsu Lin, GreenHope aims to transform how individuals and businesses approach sustainability by offering a digital fair service mechanism that connects consumers, enterprises, and environmental initiatives across East Asia.
GreenHope’s platform addresses a critical gap in environmental initiatives: the disconnection between consumer actions and tangible rewards. Historically, citizen activities like beach cleanups garnered temporary support but lacked long-term incentives. GreenHope proposes a novel solution: consumers can accumulate sustainability points in a personal carbon passbook through everyday green actions, which can then be converted into financial assets or used for charitable donations.
Consumers can log into the system to find local businesses offering sustainable products and services. The platform highlights companies that provide additional rewards for sustainable actions, turning corporate ESG needs into an expanded membership base.
GreenHope is targeting international travelers and businesses as early adopters, enabling them to earn and use sustainability rewards across different countries.
“Climate change is a global issue that shouldn’t be limited by borders,” Lin explained. “We’re using blockchain and financial technology to create a universal language for sustainability that works in both developed and developing countries.”
The decentralized nature of blockchain technology ensures that digital assets accumulated by different system members can circulate freely, overcoming the limitations of closed systems. This transparency is particularly beneficial for non-profit organizations, providing assured records through a public blockchain.
GreenHope’s immediate plans include partnerships in Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea, focusing on sustainable consumer conversion services. In Indonesia and Malaysia, the emphasis will be on supporting local environmental initiatives.
For instance, GreenHope is exploring collaborations with Indonesian coffee shops to reduce plastic waste by incentivizing the use of reusable cups. Taiwanese donations could fund these incentives, fostering a cross-border exchange of sustainable practices.
Moreover, GreenHope’s expansion plans include collaborations with religious organizations or Taiwanese businesses operating in Southeast Asia, leveraging their existing networks to promote cross-border sustainability initiatives, and redirecting public relations budgets towards sustainable ESG operations.
Unlike competitors whose rewards are limited to points systems and are confined within borders, “Unlike traditional reward programs, our blockchain-based assets can be used for ETF investments or insurance payments, and they are transferable across borders,” Lin stated.
GreenHope’s holistic approach combines blockchain, fintech, and SaaS to facilitate international corporate operations and urban diplomacy. While the concept is ambitious, it faces challenges including regulatory hurdles for cross-border financial transfers and the need to educate consumers about blockchain technology. However, if successful, GreenHope’s model could redefine how individuals and businesses contribute to global sustainability efforts.
