MasterCard Lowers GHG Emissions For The 4th Consecutive Year

Pledging to lower its carbon footprint and reduce GHG emissions by 38% in 2025, MasterCard have achieved a year-on-year reduction.

In 2016, the company announced its intention to reduce GHG emissions from 99,214 metric tonnes and last year reached 56,898.

Scope 1 (direct emissions) lowered last year from 57,687 to 56,898 Mtco2, while scope 2 (indirect emissions which includes leased products and franchises) saw a reduction from 52,859 to 52,141 Mtco2.

The company aims to reduce its carbon footprint in line with the 1.5c Paris climate target.

“At present, we have lowered Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 43% from 2016, and Scope 3 by 40%” the report notes. “Our new target calls for a 38% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 from our 2016 base year, and a 20% reduction in Scope 3 emissions over the same period.”

Reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions requires a reduction in company usage of business owned vehicles and energy use at company property including electricity and data centres.

“We certify every project that is eligible. All our owned campuses and owned data centers are certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). LEED is a globally recognized symbol of achievement in sustainability. Outside the U.S., all of our eligible building projects achieve national green certifications for the countries in which they’re located”

The company says it has also committed to purchasing 100% renewable electricity in an effort led by the Climate Group and CDP and says in 2019 it generated more than 2,600 MWh of renewable energy.