From restoring forests to supporting healthier homes, discover how MetLife-supported carbon-credit projects can benefit communities while complementing its emissions-reduction efforts.
Operating sustainably is a key component of how MetLife manages risk, creates long-term value and helps build more confident futures for customers, employees, shareholders, business partners and communities. MetLife's sustainability efforts reflect its responsibility to address environmental impacts while supporting its stakeholders.
MetLife has an ambition to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its global operations and General Account investment portfolio by 2050 or sooner.1 This is supported by ongoing efforts to reduce emissions across operations, including energy-efficiency upgrades in offices and the transition to electric or hybrid fleet vehicles where possible. These initiatives have contributed to a 52% reduction in location-based greenhouse gas emissions since 2019.
For emissions that cannot yet be fully eliminated MetLife purchases carbon credits annually. These purchases complement, rather than replace, emissions-reduction efforts and help channel finance to projects that reduce, avoid or remove greenhouse gas emissions while delivering environmental, social and economic benefits.
“Our approach focuses on supporting high-quality projects that address MetLife’s operational emissions while delivering meaningful benefits for the stakeholders we serve,” said Josh Wiener, MetLife Global Sustainability. Through rigorous due diligence, independent verification, and alignment with recognized market standards, we identify solutions that deliver real impact and relevance to people’s lives.”
Here are some of the programs MetLife supports:
Restoring forests and supporting local jobs
In the United States, the Mississippi Valley Reforestation project aims to restore one million acres in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, where more than 75% of forest cover has been lost. Carbon finance helps support restoration efforts led by participating landowners and the Arbor Day Foundation. Restoring forests can help protect against flood damage and reduce soil and nutrient runoff. It can also improve wildlife habitat and support jobs connected to forest restoration and management.
Bringing cleaner energy to homes and businesses
In India, Orb Energy has brought solar power and water-heating systems to residential and commercial customers, helping reduce reliance on kerosene and fossil-fuel-based grid electricity. More than 175,000 solar units provide reliable power to homes and businesses, and participating households can save more than 50% on electricity bills. Solar lighting can also create more opportunity for children to study after dark while helping families avoid indoor air pollution from kerosene lamps.
Creating healthier homes and new opportunities
In Bangladesh, Bondhu Chula Stoves offer a cleaner alternative to open-fire cooking by moving smoke and other pollutants out of the home. Their efficient design can cut fuel use by up to 50%, while carbon finance subsidizes installation and supports training for local entrepreneurs who produce, sell and service the stoves. The result is healthier homes, lower fuel costs, skills development and local economic opportunity.
Impact beyond carbon reduction
Together, these projects demonstrate how MetLife’s carbon neutrality2 efforts and long-term climate goals can translate into practical benefits for communities: supporting jobs and affordability, improving air quality and reducing pollution, expanding access to cleaner energy, protecting natural resources and helping climate solutions scale.
As expectations from customers, investors and regulators continue to evolve, this work supports MetLife’s long-term business objectives. By pairing emissions reductions with specific projects, MetLife is working to manage its operational footprint responsibly and create value beyond carbon.
