Business Wire

ANT-GROUP

13.6.2024 06:45:32 CEST | Business Wire | Press release

Share
Ant Group Releases 2023 Sustainability Report: Expanding Investment in Technology Reflects Firm Commitment to AI and Digital Inclusion

Ant Group (or “the Company”) today released its 2023 Sustainability Report, showcasing the Company’s significant progress since the introduction of its ESG strategy in 2022 and demonstrating its commitment to transparency and to its sustainable business practices.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240612743798/en/

To view this piece of content from mms.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

Technological Innovation (Graphic: Business Wire)

The report highlights noteworthy advancements across key areas, underpinned by four core pillars: Technological Innovation, Digital Inclusion, Green and Low-Carbon Development, and Open Ecosystem.

“Looking ahead, we are constantly reflecting on how to stay true to our original aspirations in this era of rapid change, continuously bringing about more small yet beautiful changes to the world,” said Eric Jing, Chairman & CEO of Ant Group. “Since our journey started from Alipay’s inception in 2004, technology-driven innovation has always been the fundamental force propelling our growth. It will play an even greater role in shaping our future.”

Technological Innovation

To drive innovation for consumers, small and micro-sized enterprises (SMEs) and partners, Ant Group has increased its investment in technology R&D for three consecutive years, reaching a record high of RMB 21.19 billion yuan (~ 2.92 billion USD) in 2023. Ant Group’s BaiLing Foundation Model, which was approved to serve the Chinese public in 2023, has been powering AI assistants that make it easier for users to access various life services on the Alipay platform, from smart life assistant, to smart healthcare manager and smart financial manager.

Digital Inclusion

By leveraging digital payment and finance innovation, Ant Group, together with its associate MYbank, have served more than 87 million SMEs as of 2023.

On the Alipay platform, thousands of Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) have developed more than 700 digital solutions for 4.27 million merchants, enabling them to seize more business opportunities through digital operations. In 2023, the annual transaction volume of merchant operated Alipay mini-programs grew by 68% year-on-year.

Green and Low-Carbon Development

By the end of 2023, Ant Group had achieved operation-wide carbon neutrality for three consecutive years, with a 43.19% reduction in absolute Scope 1 & 2 emissions compared to the 2020 baseline year. In accordance with standards such as the "Greenhouse Gas Protocol: Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standards" and the "Global Financial Industry Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting Standards," Ant Group conducted the Company’s first comprehensive accounting for Scope 3 carbon emissions in 2023, covering 11 categories related to activities along Ant Group's value chain, which provides a scientific basis for further emission reduction initiatives.

Since its launch in 2016, Alipay Ant Forest has encouraged more than 690 million users to make everyday low-carbon choices. As a result, 475 million trees have been planted by local partners with financial support from the Company.

Open Ecosystem

To better connect travelers with merchants and facilitate cross-border commerce, more than 25 leading e-wallets and banking apps have adopted Alipay+, a suite of cross-border digital payment and digitalization technology solutions. Alipay+ enables their users to pay and travel like locals, bringing international businesses to over 88 million merchants worldwide. In addition, with its one World Account, WorldFirst has served one million SME traders to pay, connect, and manage money globally.

The 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion program has provided exchange and learning opportunities for 6,243 certified learners from over 100 countries and regions, of whom nearly half are women participants.

Ant Group, after establishing 19 sustainability issues with 3-year OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and plans in 2022, has upgraded its governance and incentive system in line with global best practices. This includes linking senior management’s remuneration to the Company’s risk management and sustainability performance metrics.

In 2023, Ant Group used relevant Sustainability Accounting Standards Board(SASB) industry standards as a guiding reference for its sustainability reporting for the first time. Ant Group also bolstered its climate-related disclosures with reference to the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) requirements, including detailing how its executives and senior management tackle climate-related decisions as well as the establishment of an early warning platform to monitor extreme weather's impact on business operations.

Note: All figures are as of December 31, 2023 unless otherwise specified. The 2023 Sustainability Report is available in Chinese. The English-language version will be available on Ant Group’s official website soon.

About Ant Group

Ant Group aims to build the infrastructure and platforms to support the digital transformation of the service industry. Through continuous innovation, we strive to provide all consumers and small and micro businesses equal access to digital financial and other daily life services that are convenient, sustainable and inclusive.

For more information, please visit our website at www.antgroup.com or follow us on Twitter @AntGroup.

To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240612743798/en/

About Business Wire

Business Wire
Business Wire
101 California Street, 20th Floor
CA 94111 San Francisco

http://businesswire.com
DK

Subscribe to releases from Business Wire

Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Latest releases from Business Wire

Shah Rukh Khan and Rizwan Sajan Reunite For Shahrukhz Residences by Danube With Gauri Khan-Designed Penthouses7.10.2026 12:14:00 CEST | Press release

Following success of Shahrukhz by Danube, the commercial tower that sold out on launch day, Danube Properties announces next chapter of its iconic partnership with superstar Shah Rukh Khan with the launch of Shahrukhz Residences by Danube - a landmark fully furnished waterfront residential tower in Dubai Maritime City, with apartments starting at AED 1.65 million and a flexible payment plan of 30% during construction, and 70% upon handover. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261006482573/en/ Shah Rukh Khan and Rizwan Sajan Reunite For Shahrukhz Residences by Danube With Gauri Khan-Designed Penthouses (Photo: AETOSWire) Positioned as world’s first celebrity-named residential tower, Shahrukhz Residences by Danube sets a new benchmark for celebrity-inspired living, offering breathtaking views of the sea and the Dubai skyline. Adding to its exclusivity, celebrated interior designer and SRK’s wife, Gauri Khan, has des

LTM Expands Collaboration with Google Cloud to Help Accelerate Gemini Enterprise Adoption at Scale7.10.2026 10:30:00 CEST | Press release

Collaboration brings together a dedicated Gemini Enterprise CoE and Customer Experience Center LTM, a Business Creativity partner to the world’s largest enterprises, today announced an expanded collaboration with Google Cloud to help accelerate adoption of Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise. The collaboration will help organizations build, deploy, and scale AI-powered solutions by combining Gemini Enterprise capabilities with LTM's deep industry expertise, engineering talent, and global delivery capabilities. As part of this collaboration, LTM is making significant investments to strengthen its Gemini Enterprise capabilities through a dedicated Gemini Enterprise Center of Excellence (CoE), Specialized Talent and Delivery Capabilities and the development of Industry-Focused AI Solutions that will be showcased at the upcoming, state-of-the-art Gemini EnterpriseCustomer Experience Center. These efforts are designed to help organizations drive enterprise-wide AI adoption, operationalize inte

Gemcorp and Fonds Souverain Malagasy Announce Strategic Partnership to Support Investment in Madagascar7.10.2026 10:00:00 CEST | Press release

Gemcorp and the Fonds Souverain Malagasy (“FSM”) signed a strategic partnership during the 81st United Nations General Assembly (“UNGA”) in New York, establishing a framework to support investment and the development of Madagascar’s strategic assets. Under the leadership of His Excellency Michael Randrianirina, President of the Republic of Madagascar and guided by his vision to “transform the potential and endowments of the country into tangible impacts for the people,” the partnership will support FSM and the Government of Madagascar in advancing the country’s growth and investment agenda. This includes a particular focus on unlocking the value of Madagascar’s mineral resources, alongside its broader assets across mining, energy and infrastructure. As part of this partnership, FSM and the Government of Madagascar will set the strategic direction and priorities, with Gemcorp supporting FSM in structuring projects, developing investment and financing solutions, and connecting projects w

High Awareness, Low Adoption: New Survey Reveals Nearly Half of Security Professionals Still Rely on Passwords7.10.2026 09:01:00 CEST | Press release

Global study from Yubico and Okta highlights a critical execution gap in enterprise security, shows how modern identity controls can eliminate password dependency. A new survey from Yubico (NASDAQ STOCKHOLM: YUBICO), the pioneer of phishing-resistant authentication and creator of the original passkey, the YubiKey, and Okta, Inc., reveals a significant gap between security knowledge and everyday practice. While security leaders overwhelmingly recognize phishing-resistant passkeys as more secure than passwords, nearly half still rely on vulnerable login methods in their daily work. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261007969823/en/ Conducted by Talker Research, the annual 2026 Global State of Authentication* report surveyed nearly 2,000 cybersecurity and IT professionals across nine countries. The report highlights that cybersecurity's primary vulnerability is no longer a lack of education or awareness, but a stru

Wolters Kluwer brings AI-powered drafting directly into the Libra legal workspace7.10.2026 09:01:00 CEST | Press release

In addition to Libra’s existing Word Add-in, Drafting in Libra gives customers the flexibility to choose the drafting environment that best suits their workflow, while automatically applying their firm’s existing templates Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory today announced the launch of Drafting, a major new capability within Libra by Wolters Kluwer, the company’s legal AI workspace. Drafting enables legal professionals to create, edit, review, and collaborate on Word documents directly within the workspace, reducing the need to switch between separate applications throughout the drafting process. Together with Libra's existing Word Add-in, which is already widely used by legal professionals today, the new capability provides customers with a second, fully integrated way to draft their documents. Depending on their preferences and workflow, they can either remain within the Microsoft Word environment or work end-to-end in the Libra legal AI workspace. At the core of Drafting is the Libr

In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.

Visit our pressroom
World GlobeA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.HiddenA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.Eye