MetLife to reduce emissions by 30% and originate $20 billion of new green investments by 2030

Sydney September 28, 2020

Over the next 10 years, MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) has committed to reduce its location-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 percent from 2019 levels, originate $20 billion in new MetLife Investment Management (MIM)–managed green investments, and allocate $5 million to develop products and partnerships that drive climate solutions.

These are just three of the company’s 11 global 2030 Environmental Goals, which it announced today.

MetLife also committed to plant 5 million trees (prioritizing areas vulnerable to natural disasters) and to maintain carbon neutrality annually across its global offices, fleet, and business travel, and MetLife Foundation committed to grant $10 million for environmental causes.

In addition, MetLife pledged to mobilize 100 of its suppliers to set their own GHG emissions reduction target by 2025.

“These global environmental commitments reflect our purpose as a company,” said Richard Nunn, Chief Executive Officer, MetLife Australia. “We are here to help our customers build a more confident future, and part of that has to be about using natural resources in a sustainable way and helping to address climate change.”

The 11 new goals aim to reduce the environmental impact of MetLife’s global operations and supply chain, while leveraging its investments, products, and services to help protect communities and drive innovative solutions.

MetLife surpassed its previous environmental goals a year early. Between 2012 and 2019, the company reduced its annual energy consumption by 33 percent and its location-based GHG emissions by 27 percent, exceeding its targeted reductions of 10 percent by 2020.

As of year-end 2019, MIM, MetLife’s institutional investment management business, had more than $18.3 billion in green investments under management, including ownership stakes in wind and solar farms.

MetLife has long been an industry leader on sustainability and climate change. For example, in 2016, it was the first U.S.-based insurance company to achieve carbon neutrality, a status it has maintained for four straight years. In 2020, Metropolitan Life Global Funding I issued a $750 million green bond, the industry’s first note secured by a green funding agreement.

Through its membership in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Supply Chain Program, MetLife encourages its business partners to take action on climate change. In 2019, more than 100 of its suppliers disclosed their GHG emissions and mitigation activities.

More than 10,000 MetLife employees participated in the company’s 2019 “Our Green Impact” initiative, which offers a wide range of opportunities to support and learn about sustainability.

These efforts have led to significant recognition. For example:

  • MetLife has earned a spot on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index four years in a row.
  • MetLife has also received a Leadership grade (A-) on climate change in the CDP Investor Report four years in a row.
  • In 2019 and 2020, MetLife received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award, in recognition of how it has advanced energy efficiency best practices.
  • This year, the U.S. Department of Energy recognized MIM for the energy efficiency improvements it has made as part of the Better Buildings Initiative.

For more information, please read MetLife’s new Global Environmental Policy and visit the company’s Sustainability website.

Media Contact

Sarah Kelly                                                   

MetLife Australia                                   

+61 (0)411 893 890 

sarah.kelly@metlife.com

About MetLife Foundation

At MetLife Foundation, we are committed to expanding opportunities for low- and moderate-income people around the world. We partner with nonprofit organizations and social enterprises to create financial health solutions and build stronger communities, while engaging MetLife employee volunteers to help drive impact. MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to continue MetLife’s long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. From its founding through the end of 2019, MetLife Foundation provided more than $860 million in grants and $85 million in program-related investments to make a positive impact in the communities where MetLife operates. Our financial health work has reached more than 13.4 million low- and moderate-income individuals in 42 countries. To learn more about MetLife Foundation, visit metlife.org.

About MetLife

MetLife Insurance Limited (MetLife), an affiliate of MetLife, Inc., is a specialist provider of life insurance to affinity partners, superannuation trustees and employers in Australia. MetLife has expertise in designing and executing direct insurance programs for partners’ customers and insurance solutions to meet the needs of specific member groups. MetLife has been a specialist provider of life risk insurance products in Australia since 2005. For more information, visit metlife.com.au.

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit metlife.com.