British multinational bank and financial services company Barclays has recently partnered with ExpectAI, a climate technology firm.
This collaboration focuses on exploring the application of AI-driven sustainability data to improve the financial performance and operational efficiency of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
In early 2026, Barclays will commence testing ExpectAI’s Una platform. The objective is to evaluate whether the insights provided by this system can assist UK-based SMEs in identifying connections between sustainability measures and business outcomes, such as productivity gains, cost reductions, and competitive positioning.
ExpectAI was founded in 2021 with a mission to help smaller businesses understand their environmental impact and identify cost-saving opportunities. The Una platform offers carbon footprint estimates alongside recommendations for climate actions, like energy efficiency improvements, and connects companies with approved solution providers and potential funding partners.
Focused on AI and SME Sustainability
Representatives from ExpectAI mentioned that the company was established to address a perceived lack of sustainability intelligence among smaller firms. They emphasized the collaboration with Barclays as an effort to help SMEs integrate environmental considerations into their profitability, rather than treating sustainability as a separate or purely compliance-driven activity.
Barclays representatives viewed this partnership as part of the bank’s broader strategy to support SMEs and investigate how emerging technologies can aid in transition-related decision-making. They highlighted that AI-based platforms are expected to play an increasing role in helping businesses interpret complex sustainability data for financial planning and long-term strategies.
Although the collaboration does not involve a full commercial rollout, both companies consider the initial testing phase as a means to assess whether such tools can provide measurable value to smaller businesses.
