Alibaba Group has pledged to make its in-house operations carbon-neutral (Scope 1 and Scope 21 emissions) and to cut its carbon-intensity emissions (Scope 32) by 2030. It has also pledged to cut 1.5 gigatons in carbon emissions from its “business ecosystem” (Scope 3+) by 2035. To accomplish this, the Chinese-based e-commerce giant will be implementing “energy-saving and efficiency-improving technologies,” shifting more of its energy draw to renewable sources and undertaking carbon-removal initiatives. “As a general principle, the company prioritizes carbon reduction over removal, and removal over offset,” Alibaba said. In addition, the company has put together a “three-tier ESG governance framework.” This comprises a board-level Sustainability Committee, consisting of Jerry Yang (chairman), Walter Teh Ming Kwauk, Joe Tsai and Maggie Wu; a Sustainability Steering Committee; and an “ESG cross-business action group,” with representatives from each business unit, to carry out the committees’ measures. As of next year, Alibaba “will aim to release” an annual ESG report verified by accredited auditors.
