MTR unveils 2025 sustainability blueprint: HK$75 billion green financing to back 2030 science-based targets

Bulletin Express04-16 18:05

MTR Corporation (MTR) has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, detailing progress against three strategic environmental & social objectives and confirming new capital commitments to accelerate decarbonisation and inclusion across its rail and property portfolios.

Key financial and funding highlights • 2025 “Rail plus Property” model generated HK$69.46 billion in economic value, of which HK$63.63 billion was distributed to stakeholders and HK$5.83 billion retained for reinvestment. • Since 2016 the group has completed more than HK$75 billion of sustainable financings; 2025 activity included HK$31.60 billion, led by a HK$30 billion seven-year syndicated green term loan—the region’s largest unsecured green facility of that tenor. • Two landmark capital-market issues were completed: a US$3 billion 30-year senior unsecured bond and US$3 billion subordinated perpetual securities.

Carbon and climate agenda • 2030 science-based targets call for a 46.2 % cut in well-to-wheel emissions per passenger-kilometre for rail operations and a 58.6 % cut in Scope 1-2 emissions per square metre for investment properties from a 2019 base. • 2025 performance shows a 38.0 % reduction for rail and 32.8 % for properties; absolute Scope 3 emissions are down 34.4 %. • Four-pillar decarbonisation strategy—energy efficiency, fleet electrification, renewable energy and value-chain decarbonisation—underpins the roadmap to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. • Seventeen electric buses are now in service, with at least 30 expected by 2026; more than 500 additional EV chargers have been installed across stations, offices and malls. • Solar-PV arrays commissioned at Tin Shui Wai and Tuen Mun stations; 11 more sites under contract for phased rollout from 2026.

Operational resilience and climate risk • Scenario analysis aligned with ISSB/TCFD assessed flood, landslide and wind risks for 320 assets; current defensive measures deemed adequate for a 1-in-200-year storm scenario. • Over HK$44 million spent on weather-related maintenance and recovery in 2025; a further HK$85 million budgeted through 2028. • More than HK$65 billion earmarked for asset maintenance, upgrades and renewals between 2023 and 2027, with nearly HK$60 billion to be invested in asset replacement, new lines and property upgrades from 2026-28.

Social inclusion and people • Fare concessions benefited 1.30 million daily journeys; on-time performance on heavy rail maintained at 99.9 %. • Workforce diversity policy published; women now represent 33 % of the Board, surpassing the stated 25 % floor. • Staff received an average of 7.8 learning days; 215 youth employment or pre-employment opportunities were offered in 2025. • Community spending of HK$140 million during 2022-25 exceeded the HK$100 million pledge, with volunteer projects reaching 860,000 beneficiaries.

Governance and recognition • Sustainability performance now linked to remuneration for all Hong Kong employees. • Retained MSCI ESG “AAA”, Dow Jones Best-in-Class Asia Pacific and FTSE4Good inclusion; added to S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook for the sixth straight year.

MTR stated that its integrated climate-resilient expansion—including Kwu Tung Station (target completion 2027), Tung Chung Line Extension and Tuen Mun South Extension—will continue to follow BEAM Plus Gold-or-above standards and embed nature-based solutions where practical.

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