The interim paper “ A Cashless Society: Benefits, Risks and Issues” assessed a number of key economic aspects with a view to balance the arguments, and documented a log of 20 risks and issues.

Now in its second phase of research, the Working Party is exploring further implications of a cashless society. This paper focuses on the environmental perspectives of a cashless society, and proposes to add a new issue to the register.

This paper explores four key areas:

  1. What is the environmental cost of cash?
  2. What is the environmental cost of cash alternatives? Will QR codes disrupt the ecosystem?
  3. What are the synergies between a cashless society and a circular economy?
  4. Drivers and policies towards a circular economy

Read the paper