Empowering Change through Purpose and Action
Manulife Financial Asia Limited continues to redefine what it means to be a sustainability-driven organization in the financial sector. Grounded in its mission to make decisions easier and lives better, Manulife’s Impact Agenda serves as the backbone of its ESG commitments — focusing on three interconnected pillars: inclusive economic opportunity, sustained health and well-being, and a sustainable future for all. This agenda guides every strategic decision across its Asian markets, from how the company manages assets to how it supports communities.
In 2024, Manulife advanced several high-impact initiatives that have cemented its role as a sustainability leader. The company increased its green investment portfolio to over US$13 billion, supporting renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and affordable housing projects across Asia. At the same time, its transition to carbon-neutral operations by 2030 took major strides forward, with renewable energy powering more than 80 percent of its owned and leased offices. In the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, Manulife launched regional reforestation programs aligned with its Nature-Based Solutions Strategy, restoring degraded ecosystems while generating sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
Promoting Inclusive Health and Economic Well-being
Manulife’s sustainability vision extends beyond the environment. Through its Health Forward initiative, the company empowers customers to live longer, healthier, and better lives. By integrating wellness incentives into insurance products and partnering with hospitals and digital health platforms, Manulife provides policyholders with accessible, preventive care tools. Its financial literacy programs, particularly in developing economies, bridge gaps in access to financial security empowering women, small business owners, and underserved groups to participate in economic growth.
Internally, Manulife continues to promote diversity and inclusion through its Inclusion Networks, supporting gender equality, LGBTQ+ representation, and cross-generational leadership. In 2024, women accounted for 50 percent of its regional leadership roles, a significant milestone in building equitable corporate structures. Employee volunteering programs contributed over 120,000 hours of community service, addressing issues from disaster relief to mental health awareness.
Sustaining Long-Term Value and Accountability
Sustainability at Manulife is not an isolated initiative but a business imperative. The company’s Sustainability Council, chaired by the CEO and supported by regional ESG leads, ensures that sustainability metrics are embedded in performance evaluation and executive remuneration. Transparent reporting under the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), SASB, and TCFD frameworks underscores its accountability and leadership in ESG governance.
As Manulife looks to the future, it aims to expand its Impact Agenda to cover sustainable product innovation, biodiversity protection, and climate risk management. Its approach reflects a deep understanding that the health of the planet and the prosperity of people are inseparable. By combining financial strength with social purpose, Manulife Financial Asia continues to stand at the forefront of Asia’s sustainability transformation leading with integrity, foresight, and compassion.
