Mastercard, one of the world’s leading global payment technology companies, facilitates secure, fast, and efficient transactions across more than 210 countries and territories. Through its vast financial network, Mastercard connects billions of consumers, merchants, and financial institutions. As a central actor in the digital economy, Mastercard has made sustainability a core part of its long-term strategy, recognizing the environmental impact of its operations and the enabling power of its technology to drive climate action and financial inclusion.
In recent years, Mastercard has set ambitious climate goals and deepened its engagement in climate-conscious finance. The company is committed to achieving net-zero emissions across its operations and value chain by 2040 and is using its platforms to promote sustainable consumer choices, support biodiversity, and encourage ESG-aligned innovation among its partners.
- Mastercard aims to reach net-zero emissions across all scopes by 2040
- The company has already achieved 100% renewable electricity use across global operations since 2018
- Through the Priceless Planet Coalition, Mastercard is working to restore 100 million trees by 2025 in partnership with Conservation International and the World Resources Institute
Source: https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2021/april/mastercard-accelerates-climate-commitments/
Sustainability Strategy and Goals
Mastercard’s sustainability strategy integrates climate action, inclusive growth, ethical governance, and digital innovation. The company’s environmental goals are built on three main pillars: reducing its own emissions, decarbonizing its value chain, and enabling sustainable consumption at scale.
Mastercard is committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2040, with near-term 2030 goals validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). These targets include reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 38% and Scope 3 emissions by 20% by 2025 (from a 2016 baseline). The company is addressing Scope 3 through supply chain engagement, green procurement, and responsible business travel.
In addition, Mastercard plays a catalytic role in enabling climate action through its network. It launched the Priceless Planet Coalition, a global partnership of over 130 companies aiming to use the power of payments to support reforestation, sustainable retail, and climate literacy.
- Net-zero emissions commitment by 2040, with 2030 targets aligned to 1.5°C climate science
- 100% renewable energy used for Mastercard’s offices and data centers globally
- Over 130 partners have joined the Priceless Planet Coalition since its 2020 launch
Source: https://www.mastercard.com/global/en/vision/corp-responsibility/sustainability.html
Key Sustainability Innovations and Technologies
Mastercard is using its technological platform to drive sustainable innovation. One of its most notable initiatives is the Mastercard Carbon Calculator, developed in partnership with Swedish fintech Doconomy. This tool allows cardholders to view the estimated carbon footprint of their purchases and receive personalized tips and incentives for reducing their impact.
Mastercard also supports the development of sustainable credit and debit cards made from recycled PVC, ocean plastics, and bio-based materials. As of 2023, more than 170 issuers in over 50 countries have launched cards using sustainable materials under Mastercard’s Sustainable Card Program.
Additionally, Mastercard is investing in AI and data analytics to help merchants and banks build ESG-aligned product offerings. The company’s Start Path climate fintech accelerator supports startups developing decarbonization, ESG data, and carbon accounting solutions for the financial sector.
- Mastercard Carbon Calculator has been integrated into bank apps across Europe, Asia, and Latin America
- Over 170 financial institutions have adopted sustainable card materials in partnership with Mastercard
- Start Path has supported over 30 climate fintech startups since 2021
Measurable Impacts
Mastercard has achieved significant progress in its operational sustainability. Since 2018, the company has maintained 100% renewable electricity across its global operations and has reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by over 44% since 2016. All corporate campuses are now LEED-certified or operating under energy efficiency frameworks, with additional efforts focused on green data center design and smart building systems.
In 2022, Mastercard issued its first Sustainability Bond, allocating $600 million to projects aligned with its ESG goals, including carbon reduction, inclusive finance, and resource conservation.
Through the Priceless Planet Coalition, Mastercard has already planted more than 30 million trees across restoration sites in Kenya, Brazil, Australia, and the U.S., with ecological monitoring systems in place to ensure long-term forest health.
- 44% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions from 2016 to 2022
- Over 30 million trees planted under the Priceless Planet Coalition as of 2023
- $600 million Sustainability Bond issued to accelerate ESG-aligned projects
Source: https://www.mastercard.com/news/research-report/sustainability-report-2023/
Challenges and Areas for Improvement
Despite its success in decarbonizing operations, Mastercard faces challenges in reducing Scope 3 emissions, which represent the vast majority of its total footprint. These include emissions from purchased services, downstream use of products, and supplier operations. Ensuring consistent ESG compliance across thousands of vendors, tech partners, and processors remains a complex task.
Another area for improvement is Mastercard’s broader support for circular economy strategies, such as e-waste management, cloud energy optimization, and lifecycle assessments of digital products and services. While the company is making strides in reforestation and eco-labeling, more detailed reporting on its product and platform emissions would improve transparency.
Scaling climate impact across its global issuer base is also an ongoing challenge. Not all bank partners have adopted sustainable cards or carbon tracking tools, particularly in markets with lower ESG adoption.
- Scope 3 accounts for over 90% of Mastercard’s carbon footprint, with limited public breakdown
- Need for greater disclosure around digital infrastructure emissions and product lifecycle impacts
- Uneven adoption of climate tools across bank partners and geographies
Source: https://www.mastercard.com/global/en/vision/corp-responsibility/environmental-goals.html
Future Plans and Long-Term Goals
Looking forward, Mastercard is expanding its role in climate finance and nature-based solutions. The company plans to scale its Priceless Planet Coalition to plant 100 million trees by 2025 and will expand the impact monitoring of reforestation efforts using satellite data and AI.
The company is also deepening supplier engagement by requiring key vendors to disclose emissions and adopt science-based targets by 2025. It plans to further embed climate metrics into procurement policies and board governance.
On the consumer side, Mastercard aims to integrate carbon awareness tools across all markets and expand its partnerships with banks to offer green lending, offsetting options, and sustainable rewards.
- Net-zero across all scopes by 2040 with interim progress checkpoints every 5 years
- 100 million trees to be planted and monitored for long-term impact by 2025
- Expanded supplier program to ensure ESG compliance and Scope 3 data collection
Source: https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2023/october/mastercard-announces-scope-3-supplier-program/
Comparisons to Industry Competitors
Mastercard is closely aligned with competitors like Visa, American Express, and PayPal on net-zero goals, climate finance, and operational efficiency.
Visa: Achieved net-zero operations in 2020 and uses 100% renewable electricity; strong focus on sustainable finance tools and merchant partnerships
Source: https://usa.visa.com/about-visa/esg/sustainability.html
American Express: Targets net-zero by 2035, emphasizes low-carbon travel and business operations
Source: https://about.americanexpress.com/environment
PayPal: Net-zero by 2040, with strong engagement in green fintech and inclusive financial access
Source: https://publicpolicy.paypal-corp.com/sustainability
- Visa and Mastercard both offer carbon tracking tools and ESG APIs for banks
- PayPal is focusing on inclusive sustainability and circular economy finance
- American Express is investing in carbon offsetting and low-carbon corporate travel
Our Thoughts
Mastercard’s sustainability journey is defined by strong commitments, operational achievements, and a unique ability to enable global climate action through its payment infrastructure. The company’s reforestation leadership, carbon tracking tools, and green fintech partnerships position it as a key player in shaping sustainable finance.
To lead further, Mastercard will need to expand its efforts on Scope 3 emissions, enhance supplier transparency, and deepen platform-level sustainability integration. With its global reach and innovation capacity, Mastercard can be a powerful enabler of the low-carbon economy—if it continues to prioritize equity, impact, and accountability in its climate strategy.
Source: https://www.mastercard.com/global/en/vision/corp-responsibility/sustainability.html
