Advancing sustainability in Azerbaijan in the year of COP29

At Mastercard, we don’t see sustainability as a separate agenda – it’s woven into everything we do. Through initiatives like the Priceless Planet Coalition, which aims to restore 100 million trees, and our Sustainability Innovation Lab, we are fostering solutions that benefit both people and the planet. 

This year’s 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku served as a reminder that addressing climate change requires collaboration, urgency and bold action. In the run-up to the global event, we marked several new achievements in the sustainability space in the host country – Azerbaijan.

In partnership with Rabitabank, we introduced the Mastercard Carbon Calculator, which helps consumers track the carbon footprint of their spends, motivating them to make more sustainable purchasing decisions. This way, we are encouraging behavioral shifts that, collectively, can have a profound positive impact on the health of our planet.

Urban transportation is another area where we’re making great strides. Our partnership with Bakı Taksi Xidməti focuses on eco-friendly taxis, offering Mastercard users discounts to encourage greener commuting. Meanwhile, our collaborations with ABB and APAR have brought electric and pedal bike rentals to Baku, providing residents and visitors with sustainable mobility options. Together, these initiatives not only aim to reduce emissions but also improve urban convenience and accessibility. Every ride on an eco-friendly taxi or green bike is a step toward a more sustainable future.

Azerbaijan is also among the frontrunners of our Sustainable Card Program. Several of the country’s banks have joined our pledge to eliminate first-use PVC from payment cards, transitioning to recycled or bio-based plastics with an accelerated goal of 2026, ahead of our global target of 2028.

Innovation has always been a cornerstone of our approach, and I’m excited about the Sustainability Sandbox Hackathon we’ve launched with ABB. This initiative invites fintech startups to create solutions for tracking carbon emissions and enhancing ESG practices. It’s not just a competition – it’s an incubator for the ideas that will shape tomorrow. Through platforms like these, we aim to drive meaningful change and support the next generation of climate innovators.

Whether it’s reducing our carbon footprint, empowering consumers to embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle or collaborating with our partners to implement green solutions, we are committed to building a future where sustainability and economic growth go hand in hand.