Nearly 60% of Gen Z Wants Credit Card Companies to Go Green, But Most Americans Are Still Indifferent

Younger Americans are sending credit card companies a message: Go green, or get left behind.

A new CardRates.com survey reveals that nearly 6 in 10 Gen Z cardholders say sustainability is highly important, but many older Americans still don’t see it that way.

When opening a new credit card, most people compare APRs or reward terms to find the best fit for their needs. Whether an issuer meets sustainability goals may be the last thing to cross their mind, if at all. 

But credit cards aren’t just financial tools. They can also be instruments of change in your communities if they have the right policies behind them.

With Americans bracing for record heat this summer, the impacts of climate change and eco-friendly initiatives are especially top of mind for millions of people. And by expressing their support for eco-conscious cards, younger Americans could be seeking opportunities to incorporate sustainability into their spending behavior.   

So, are green credit cards the future? Or is it just a temporary life stage, Gen Z thing that may become less important as they move into more adult financial priorities and concerns? 

Summer has just begun, and extreme heat waves have already impacted the season. Yet, Americans’ views on the need for sustainability continue to vary, especially by generation. 

According to our study, 37% of all surveyed Americans say sustainability is a top priority for credit card companies, while over a third (35%) say it barely matters or not at all.

When asked how important a factor sustainability is when choosing a credit card, Gen Z and millennials were far more likely to say it is ‘very’ or ‘extremely important’ than older generations. Here are how the numbers for support shake out by generational group:

• Gen Z: 59%
• Millennials: 47%
• Silent Generation: 37%
• Gen X: 31%
• Boomers: 31%

Younger generations have long exhibited higher concern for climate change and challenges than older generations. A Pew Research Center study from 2021 revealed that younger generations were more likely to engage in environmental issues and report higher levels of worry. 

These attitudes have transcended to action, with Gen Z and millennials taking charge in climate activism. As it happens, one of the primary ways they show their support is by making eco-conscious purchasing decisions. 

Younger consumers are increasingly seeing their spending as an extension of their personal values. For them, credit cards are not just a financial tool, but are also a piece to a bigger puzzle — climate change action. 

While older generations may not prioritize sustainability in their finances, younger Americans are paying more attention to how companies behave, including the credit card industry. 

The study also revealed a clear political divide in how Americans perceive sustainability in credit cards. 

Nearly half of Democrats (49%) surveyed said it’s ‘very’ or ‘extremely important’ that card companies act sustainably, compared to just 25% of Republicans. Falling in the middle, about 30% of Independents said sustainability was important. 

Among Republicans, 31% said sustainability is ‘not important at all’, more than five times the rate of Democrats (6%). 

These differences likely reflect broader attitudes toward corporate responsibility. While Democrats often encourage environmental responsibility among private companies, many Republicans favor a focus on traditional business operations and resist mandates that go beyond profitability or core economic roles.

As sustainability becomes a more visible part of corporate branding, these differing expectations could shape not just product offerings, but also how card companies market themselves to different consumer segments.

Many cards have reward programs that support various charitable causes and are issued by banks with strong sustainability records. But how do you go about finding a card that lines up with your principles?

“If supporting sustainability and being eco-friendly is a priority for you, make sure to take the time to do your own research and not just assume that if a bank labels a card and their broader business practices as eco-friendly, it meets your personal standards,” said Bobbi Rebell, CFP® and personal finance expert at CardRates.com.

Rebell adds, “Then make sure to do your part: use your digital wallet, turn off physical statements, and stay up to date on what eco-friendly purchases make the most sense to maximize your rewards from the card.” 

Here are a few ways to make your credit card habits more sustainable:

• Go paperless: Most card issuers allow you to opt out of mailed statements. This way, you can reduce paper waste.
• Choose a mission-aligned bank: Look for a bank with eco-friendly initiatives in its business model. Some ways to spot a mission-aligned bank are by checking whether it’s B Corp certified, fossil–fuel–free, or in the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV).
• Look for eco-friendly materials: Most cards are made of first-use plastic materials, but sustainable alternatives made from recycled plastic or biodegradable materials are also available. Check what the provider offers before you apply.
• Earn green rewards: Certain cards offer points for purchases that support sustainability efforts. Earn cash back by spending at sustainable retailers, EV charging stations, or on public transportation.
• Support climate causes automatically: Some card issuers offer cards that automatically donate a percentage of your purchases to environmental nonprofits. You make a purchase, and they donate on your behalf.
• Redeem points with purpose: Search for a card with a rewards program that supports eco-friendly causes. This way, you can use your rewards to fund carbon offsets or eco-friendly charities.
• Tap to pay, sustainably: Use digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay to cut down on plastic use and limit physical production.

Green credit cards aren’t mainstream yet, but Gen Z is pushing them there. The question is: Will card companies keep up or risk falling behind with the next generation of spenders?

With climate concerns rising and financial habits shifting, the next wave of credit innovation may not be about perks but principles.

This survey was conducted online among a nationally representative sample of 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older who are credit card holders. Respondents were selected from a third-party research panel, and results were weighted to align with U.S. Census benchmarks for age, gender, region, and race/ethnicity.

The survey explored consumer attitudes toward environmental sustainability practices among credit card companies, including perceived importance across age groups and political affiliations.

The overall margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Margins of error are higher for subgroups such as generation, race/ethnicity, gender, or political affiliation.

For media inquiries, please reach out to catherine@cardrates.com.