Inside Mastercard's Mission to Create a Net-Zero Value Chain
Mastercard is set to enhance its sustainable procurement strategies by committing to the removal of first-use plastics across all newly-issued physical payment cards on its network by 1 January 2028.
The significance of this move lies not only in its environmental impact but also in the procurement processes that will underpin this transition.
Since the inception of the Sustainable Card Program in 2018, Mastercard has already produced one billion cards utilising more sustainable materials such as recycled plastics, agricultural waste and sugar-derived polymers.
This initiative aligns with a broader digital-first approach that aims to gradually reduce dependency on physical cards.
Sustainability standards in procurement and partnerships
Momentum is growing as Mastercard has successfully garnered support from over 330 issuers in 80 countries, including participation from 90 issuers across 15 markets in the Asia Pacific region.
Through collaborations with leading card manufacturers, Mastercard has transitioned more than 168 million cards globally, including over 31 million in Asia Pacific, to incorporate recycled and bio-based materials like rPVC, rPET and PLA. By 2028, all new cards must adhere to strict certification standards, involving third-party validation of materials and sustainability claims to ensure compliance and transparency.
Eligible cards will prominently display a Card Eco Certification mark, providing both issuers and consumers with clarity on the sustainability credentials of their products.
The approach not only supports the reduction of environmental impact but also sets a precedent for procurement practices that focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing.
“Mastercard is committed to advancing climate action and reducing waste by driving our business toward net zero emissions and leveraging our network and scale to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, regenerative economy,” says Ellen Jackowski, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mastercard.
Innovation in decarbonising payment methods
The quest to reduce plastic use is complemented by Mastercard's focus on advancing digital payment solutions.
Shifting towards digital-first issuance, tokenisation and wallet-based payment experiences aims to minimise the need for physical cards, thus reducing material use, manufacturing emissions and waste, while maintaining security and convenience.
The initiative represents a strategic alignment of procurement processes with sustainability objectives, promoting the adoption of circular materials and reshaping supply chain operations through industry collaborations.
“The world has a plastic problem," adds Sandeep Malhotra, Executive Vice President, Products & Innovation, Asia Pacific at Mastercard.
"Solving it will be a whole-of-society task, yet efforts are often taken in isolation or without coordination. With this sustainable cards effort, Mastercard is bringing its global network of banks, financial institutions and consumers – who collectively hold more than three billion Mastercard cards – together to build a greener payments sector through collaboration and partnership.”
Broader commitments to sustainable growth
Mastercard’s overarching sustainability platform targets climate action, nature restoration and inclusive growth.
The company is on track to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 and is actively engaged in initiatives such as the Priceless Planet Coalition, aiming to restore 100 million trees by 2025 while fostering consumer engagement through tools like the Mastercard Carbon Calculator.
Furthermore, Mastercard extends its sustainability goals through initiatives designed to expand access to the digital economy for one billion people by 2025.
This includes supporting 50 million small and micro businesses, of which 25 million are women entrepreneurs.
By redefining procurement and supply chain practices, Mastercard is effectively translating sustainability objectives into tangible procurement strategies that strive towards a more sustainable and inclusive digital economy.
