HKT and Mastercard join forces to build sustainable smart city

Telco HKT and Mastercard have tied up to build a sustainable smart city through the Priceless Planet Coalition, with the goal of restoring 100 million trees globally by 2025. The partnership is in line with HKT’s mission to leverage its expertise in technology and innovation to make lives better for people, help businesses thrive, and create a sustainable future for all.

Aiming to unite companies, communities and consumers in climate action, the coalition allows partners to help fund forest restoration through consumer engagement and donation campaigns that encourage people to take climate-friendly actions or make donations. According to the press statement, it currently has 18 restoration projects around the world since its establishment in 2020.

HKT’s mission is reflected in its brand name with the "T" representing “Telecommunication”, “Technology” and “Tomorrow”, given its diverse business portfolio. The brand has a range of tech-driven decarbonisation initiatives to promote a sustainable society, such as smart living solutions. These aim to give customers comfort at home, a green, low-carbon lifestyle, as well as energy management solutions in AI energy control, and power optimisation for enterprises to achieve net-zero emissions.

Back in 2021, HKT's mobile wallet Tap & Go and Mastercard teamed up to accelerate sustainable smart city development by participating in the government’s consumption voucher scheme, to provide consumers with contactless payment options, hence reducing the need for plastic and paper in transactions.

“As a technology company, we always look at data. And the data on climate change is loud and clear - we must urgently take action to combat this global threat together. We are so pleased to expand our collaboration with Mastercard through this meaningful Priceless Planet Coalition, to make the world greener and all lives depending on it better,” said Susanna Hui (pictured right), group managing director of HKT.

According to Mastercard MD for Hong Kong and Macau, Helena Chen, this expanded partnership einforces Mastercard’s commitment to supporting Hong Kong’s inclusive and digital economy, and ensures its sustainable development via collective climate action on protecting endangered species.

“Not only does this further embody Mastercard’s motto of ‘Doing Well by Doing Good’, but the collaboration with HKT also facilitates the development of Hong Kong as a smart city while assisting in homegrown businesses as they progress further on their sustainable journeys,” Chen added.

Recently, Citi Hong Kong also became a member of Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition, agreeing to support forest restoration projects within the defined framework of Mastercard for the next two years.

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