Royal Bank of Scotland is to trial technology from 12 'eco-innovation' startups across its property portfolio in Bristol as it bids to create its first carbon-neutral banch.
The 12 companies were whittled down from a field of 93 firms who entered the bank's Bristol Innovation Gateway challenge. From electronic cars to water-free urinal systems, the bank plans to test the new technologies at its Trinity Quay office building and NatWest Fishpond's branch, which is slated to become its first carbon netural high street outlet.
The Bristol Innovation Gateway is one of several contests being run by the bank to provide startups with the opportunity to test their products on the RBS estate. Earlier this year the bank selected eight firms to participate in the regeneration of its Gogarburn headquarters in Edinburgh.
Matt Hatcher, NatWest’s director of commercial banking for Bristol, comments: “If those innovations prove to be successful in our Bristol properties we hope to introduce them across the entire RBS estate to help us achieve our targets around sustainability."