95% Of 5 Mn tonnes Of Waste Diverted From Landfills: Jardine Matheson

At least 95% of the five million tonnes of waste generated was diverted from landfills, and overall waste disposed dropped by 2%. Meanwhile, 41% of the total energy consumed across the group came from renewable sources, Jardine Matheson said in its Sustainability Report 2024.

In 2024, all of Jardine Matheson’s portfolio companies established decarbonisation roadmaps for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, with most aligned to the 1.5°C climate goal. The company has segmented its portfolio into two pathways to net-zero by 2050: the Decarbonisation Pathway, comprising companies with credible 1.5°C-aligned targets, and the Transition Pathway, which includes companies in hard-to-abate sectors facing significant decarbonisation challenges.

“We are making steady progress towards our Group ambition of net-zero by 2050. Last year, all our portfolio companies set medium-term Scope 1 and 2 decarbonisation targets and developed roadmaps to achieve them,” said Ben Keswick, Executive Chairman and Chair of the Sustainability Leadership Council (SLC), Jardine Matheson.

JEC, JRG, and Zung Fu achieved validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, joining DFI, Gammon, Hactl, and Hongkong Land in committing to science-based targets. Companies on the Decarbonisation Pathway reduced their Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 7%, while those on the Transition Pathway saw a 4% increase—largely due to higher production and sales volumes.

“Climate action, and decarbonisation in particular, remains our top priority. We want our portfolio companies to adopt forward-thinking mindsets to create sustainable value—driving innovation, operational efficiency, and responsible growth,” added Keswick.

Group Managing Director John Witt echoed these views: “Decarbonisation remains an immense challenge, but we believe that positive influence and collaborative action at scale will result in significant emissions reductions over time.”

He added that in 2025, the company will further strengthen its climate risk culture and enhance capabilities to support climate risk integration across the Group.

The company reported contributing US$58 million to social initiatives, including around US$5 million in scholarships through the Jardine Foundation and US$1 million to its mental health initiative, MINDSET. These efforts reached over 1.2 million people, with colleagues contributing more than 149,000 hours of volunteer time.

“MINDSET programme is now gaining real traction and works alongside several government initiatives, offering free mental health assessments and consultations at select private pharmaceutical outlets and District Health Centres in Hong Kong,” Witt said.

From driving low-carbon investments and increasing resource circularity to enhancing community wellbeing and stakeholder engagement, the company aims to future-proof Jardines as a group of sustainable businesses with a lasting positive impact.