Mastercard continuously shows how technology and innovation are crucial agents of sustainable and socially responsible practices. Environmental protection, social issues, and good governance standards have become a significant focus of the business strategies of this global technology company. That is why we are proud to welcome Mastercard as a silver sponsor of the ESG Adria Summit for the second year in a row!
Aligning its ESG strategy and internal policies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Mastercard focuses on specific objectives to contribute through its products. Innovation is, however, at the core of its sustainability practices and initiatives.
Mastercard continually demonstrates how modern technologies can address some of today's greatest environmental challenges. This global technology company has established a Carbon Calculator, which allows its users to get an overview of the carbon footprint emissions generated by their purchases and also offers them useful tips on how to reduce that footprint. The calculator helps users become aware that their daily purchases leave a mark on the planet and helps them make small changes that will contribute to long-term ecological sustainability.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, human impacts have already led to the loss of about 40% of the world's forests. Due to the growing threat that deforestation poses to the climate, communities, and biodiversity, Mastercard, in collaboration with scientific partners Conservation International and the World Resources Institute, launched the Priceless Planet Coalition, bringing together financial, corporate, and government actors worldwide. Currently, this Coalition is leading reforestation projects in Africa, Australia, South America, North America, Europe, and Asia, with the aim of planting 100 million trees by 2025.
The projects we implement as a part of the Priceless Planet Coalition also rely on the use of Mastercard's payment technologies as a mechanism to involve all relevant target groups. In Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where PPC projects are active, Mastercard has conducted campaigns where they donated seedlings for every new Mastercard card issued or mobile wallet activated.
Since 2018, Mastercard has been publishing an annual Corporate Responsibility Report, which tracks the progress toward achieving set ESG goals, with a special focus on the aforementioned global reforestation project, but also other sustainability-related goals, such as achieving zero CO2 emissions by 2040, pay parity, and gender equality in leadership positions by 2025, and similar.
"The combination of innovation and exceptional social responsibility - best describes Mastercard's business at both the regional and global levels, and we are more than proud that this company continues to support the ESG Adria Summit", said Biljana Braithwaite, CEO of Sustineri Partners, organiser of the ESG Adria Summit.
To learn more about Mastercard, visit the official website.
