• New Mastercard feature enables banks to equip people with carbon footprint data and insights about environmental impact
• Recent research by Mastercard revealed 90% of adults in Middle East and Africa are willing to take personal action to combat environmental and sustainability issues
JUNE 3, 2021 | Beirut, Lebanon – Amidst the growing trend toward eco-conscious spending and consumption among people who want to pursue more sustainable choices and practices, Mastercard has released its Mastercard Carbon Calculator for the Middle East & Africa.
Developed in collaboration with the Swedish fintech Doconomy, the Mastercard Carbon Calculator is a feature that provides access to insights and data about environmental impact. It enables consumers to receive a snapshot of the carbon emissions generated by their purchases across spending categories. Banks and financial institutions can easily adopt and customize the feature for eco-conscious consumers, by seamlessly integrating the Carbon Calculator into their mobile apps through new APIs that are now available on Mastercard Developers.
“Connecting people to helpful information and tools that enable them to prosper, pursue their passions, and help protect the planet, is an important part of how we are doing well by doing good. The New Mastercard feature enables banks to equip people with carbon footprint data and insights to help inform consumer spending and offer ways to contribute to reforestation With growing consumer passion for the environment and sustainable lifestyle choices, we hope that this feature will inspire more people to support brands that are contributing to environmental welfare,” said Gaurang Shah, Senior Vice President, Product Management, Digital Payments & Labs for Middle East and Africa, Mastercard.
The calculations are powered by the independently verified Doconomy Åland Index and can be further enhanced with relatable and easy-to-understand equivalents (such as the number of trees required to absorb the same amount of CO2), and tips about living more sustainably.
“By engaging a whole industry in enabling individual insights as well as collective action, Mastercard has redefined the role the financial industry can play every day in tackling the climate crisis. When others are talking of the importance of Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG), Mastercard is putting it to work at the fingertips of the consumer,” said Mathias Wikström, Chief Executive Officer, Doconomy.
Results from Mastercard’s most recent research released on Earth Day last month, highlighted strong consumer demand for payment solutions that address sustainability.
Among adults in Middle East and Africa, 90% stated they’re willing to take personal action to combat environmental and sustainability issue. Being more aware of purchases is one of the top changes respondents will make as a result from COVID-19.
Last year, Mastercard formed the Priceless Planet Coalition, which unites businesses and consumers to restore 100 million trees by 2025. The Coalition continues to expand and now includes more than 50 members. Mastercard has committed to using its technology, network, expertise and resources in support of the company’s goal of building a more sustainable and inclusive digital economy.
About Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.