The Financial Tool That Rewards Climate Friendly Choices with Eunice Jung, Future
Changing the Way We Think About Money, Sustainability, and Everyday Spending
On the latest episode of The Wild Party Podcast, we chat with Eunice Jung, Head of Partnerships at Future, the climate fintech company that's flipping the script on how we think about sustainability, rewards, and daily financial decisions. If you're someone who’s ever thought that living sustainably is too expensive or complicated, this episode is your reset button.
What Is Future?
Let’s start with the basics: Future offers a debit card (yes, debit, not credit) that gives 5% cashback on climate-friendly purchases , things like public transit, EV charging, secondhand shopping, renewable utilities, and plant-based meals. The best part? There are no credit checks, no monthly fees, and no interest. It’s designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of income, spending habits, or credit score.
As Eunice puts it, “We wanted to demystify the myth that sustainability has to cost more. That’s true in some cases, like EVs, but not in everyday life. So we reward you for the choices you're already making, like taking the subway or buying secondhand.”
From Stanford to Start-Up
Eunice’s journey is just as compelling as the FutureCard itself. She was the first employee at Future and helped shape the brand from a simple carbon calculator tool into a full-fledged financial product. With a Master of Science in Sustainable Science and Practice from Stanford (and an undergrad background in Anthropology and International Relations), she brings a rare combination of academic expertise and lived experience to the table.
Raised by immigrant parents in the Bay Area, Eunice grew up with a deep appreciation for extending the life of household items, embracing secondhand before it became trendy. “Sustainability wasn’t a word I knew until college,” she shared, “but the mindset was always there.”
Why a Debit Card?
Future’s decision to launch a debit card rather than a credit card was intentional. Eunice explained that 70% of transactions in the U.S. already happen on debit cards, and more importantly, “It didn’t align with our ethos to profit from credit debt on sustainable purchases.” The goal? To meet people where they are and provide a rewards system that’s accessible and empowering.
What Makes a Brand ‘Sustainable’?
With over 150+ partner brands in their rewards ecosystem , including podcast favorites Rosy Soil and Plaine Products , Future is actively curating a community of mission-aligned businesses. But how do they decide who makes the cut?
“We ask one core question,” Eunice said. “Is this product or service a lower-carbon alternative to what’s commonly available in the market?” That could mean refillable packaging, renewable energy use, low-waste shipping, or simply a focus on circularity.
She also emphasized the importance of storytelling , highlighting businesses that may not be “obviously sustainable” but are doing the behind-the-scenes work to reduce environmental impact. “Future becomes a discovery platform,” Eunice added. “It’s a new way to find and support businesses that align with your values.”
Real-World Rewards and Everyday Impact
So how does this work in practice? Whether you’re commuting on the subway, renting used furniture (yes, that’s a thing!), or buying refurbished electronics on eBay, you’re eligible for cashback with Future. Their app makes it easy to track spending and see which purchases qualify.
Future also runs creative gamification campaigns , like giving away free subway rides or rewarding slower shipping choices , to nudge users toward more sustainable behaviors. And it's working. Future users often come for the cashback, but stay for the values, eventually shifting more of their lifestyle toward low-carbon choices.
One of the coolest things? The Future team uses consumer behavior data to show measurable carbon reduction. “If we can influence one person to switch to renewable utilities or buy secondhand, and then scale that to thousands, the impact is real,” Eunice said.
Marketing a Movement, Not Just a Card
Building awareness for a new kind of financial product hasn’t been easy. At first, many people thought Future was “too good to be true.” But thanks to savvy partnerships, word-of-mouth, and campaigns focused on education over jargon, they’re breaking through.
“We’re a fintech company that’s also a climate company. That’s a rare intersection,” Eunice explained. “So we had to learn how to speak to both audiences , the cost-savers and the climate warriors , in one breath.”
And it’s not just Gen Z. While thrift stores and secondhand tech appeal to younger users, FutureCard has found fans across all generations. As Eunice put it: “Saving money while doing good? That’s universal.”
The Takeaway
Future isn’t just another fintech tool. It’s a behavioral nudge engine, a community of conscious consumers, and a platform for sustainable discovery , all rolled into one sleek green debit card.
As someone who used to find cashback rewards confusing or irrelevant, I’m now fully converted. The way Future ties financial accessibility with climate responsibility is refreshing, empowering, and, frankly, long overdue. And we are pleased to see some of our past podcast guests are already a part of the partnership including Rosy Soil and Plaine Products.
Get Involved
If you're ready to put your money where your values are, you can sign up for the FutureCard at future.green. It takes just a couple of minutes to get started , and yes, it really is free.
And if you know a sustainable brand that should be part of the Future rewards network, reach out to Eunice. They’re always looking for mission-aligned partners.
