What drives companies’ progress on their emission reduction targets? DOI Creative Commons
Anne-France Bolay, Anders Bjørn, Laure Patouillard

et al.

Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 468, P. 143124 - 143124

Published: July 11, 2024

As the importance of non-state mitigation actions in transition to a low-carbon economy becomes firmly established, rapidly growing number companies are setting corporate climate targets. Shareholders increasingly value these commitments, conveying impression good future carbon performance. However, critical question emerges: why do some progress better than others toward their targets? There is currently lack empirical literature assessing companies' against Using new indicator evaluate individual targets comparable manner, this study presents an explanatory analysis 120 determinants applied 4341 (scope 1 and 2 emissions) 2975 reporting 2020 CDP questionnaire. The target assessment shows that 30% have increased emissions since base year, 15% reduced but not at sufficient pace, while 55% were on track achieving or had already achieved In addition, 18% year was set, which may be due choosing with unusually high emissions. findings reveal 19 key significantly associated highlight research orientation. Our results indicate progression by having absolute longer timeframes disclosing additional, as well remuneration links climate-related issues. Companies more ambitious less others, except when approved Science-Based Targets initiative. latter implies from firms only symbolic, investors should consider both ambition progress. Clear guidance regulations implemented policymakers prevent misleading information. Future address limitations related reliance self-reported data exclusion scope 3 targets, along directions suggested findings.

Language: Английский

Towards circular plastics within planetary boundaries DOI Creative Commons
Marvin Bachmann, Christian Zibunas, Jan Hartmann

et al.

Nature Sustainability, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(5), P. 599 - 610

Published: March 6, 2023

Abstract The rapid growth of plastics production exacerbated the triple planetary crisis habitat loss, plastic pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Circular strategies have been proposed for to achieve net-zero GHG However, implications such circular on absolute sustainability not examined a scale. This study links bottom-up model covering both end-of-life treatment 90% global boundaries framework. Here we show that even circular, climate-optimal industry combining current recycling technologies with biomass utilization transgresses thresholds by up four times. improving rates at least 75% in combination CO 2 can lead scenario which comply their assigned safe operating space 2030. Although being key unquantified effect novel entities biosphere, enhanced cannot cope demand predicted until 2050. Therefore, achieving requires fundamental change our methods producing using plastics.

Language: Английский

Citations

210
Renewable energy certificates threaten the integrity of corporate science-based targets DOI Open Access
Anders Bjørn, Shannon M. Lloyd, Matthew Brander

et al.

Nature Climate Change, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(6), P. 539 - 546

Published: June 1, 2022

Language: Английский

Citations

92
Understanding public awareness and attitudes toward renewable energy resources in Saudi Arabia DOI
Abdulaziz I. Almulhim

Renewable Energy, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 192, P. 572 - 582

Published: May 2, 2022

Language: Английский

Citations

74
A just world on a safe planet: a Lancet Planetary Health–Earth Commission report on Earth-system boundaries, translations, and transformations DOI Creative Commons
Joyeeta Gupta, Xuemei Bai, Diana Liverman

et al.

The Lancet Planetary Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(10), P. e813 - e873

Published: Sept. 12, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

35
Translating Earth system boundaries for cities and businesses DOI Open Access
Xuemei Bai, Syezlin Hasan, Lauren Seaby Andersen

et al.

Nature Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(2), P. 108 - 119

Published: Jan. 4, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

28
Are corporate biodiversity commitments consistent with delivering ‘nature-positive’ outcomes? A review of ‘nature-positive’ definitions, company progress and challenges DOI Creative Commons
Sophus zu Ermgassen,

Michael W. Howard,

Leon Bennun

et al.

Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 379, P. 134798 - 134798

Published: Oct. 21, 2022

There are growing calls for businesses to implement 'nature-positive' strategies. Convergence around a precise definition is now needed. We review definitions of 'nature-positive', highlight differences between and previous iterations organizational biodiversity strategies (e.g. net positive impact) propose four key elements strategies: 1) demonstrating outcomes across the entire value chain ("scope"); 2) buy-in throughout organization ("mainstreaming"); 3) integrated consideration different components nature both climate; "integration"); 4) measurable against fixed baseline aligned with overall societal goals post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework; "ambition"). analyse trends in commitments Fortune 100 companies firms that have made recent 'net impact' commitments, evaluating alignment these where possible assessing their evolution since 2016. Uptake has increased 2016, but limited progress towards adopting measurable, time-bound (an increase from 5 10/100 2016 2021). barriers business implementation can deliver socially equitable outcomes. Major improvements needed data availability transparency, regulation sector-wide coordination creates level playing fields prevents impact leakage. Transformative action required create production consumption systems actively enhance nature.

Language: Английский

Citations

63
Can Science-Based Targets Make the Private Sector Paris-Aligned? A Review of the Emerging Evidence DOI Creative Commons
Anders Bjørn, Joachim Peter Tilsted, Amr Addas

et al.

Current Climate Change Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 8(2), P. 53 - 69

Published: April 27, 2022

Companies increasingly set science-based targets (SBTs) for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We review literature on SBTs to understand their potential aligning corporate emissions with the temperature goal of Paris Agreement.SBT adoption by larger, more visible companies in high-income countries has accelerated. These tend have a good prior reputation managing climate impacts and most appear track meeting scope 1 2 SBTs. More research is needed distinguish between substantive symbolic target-setting how plan achieve established There no consensus whether current methods appropriately allocate individual or much freedom should setting Current emission accounting practices, methods, SBT governance, insufficient transparency may allow report some reductions that are not real result collective reductions. Lower rates diffusion low- middle-income countries, certain emission-intensive sectors, small- medium-sized enterprises pose barriers mainstreaming While voluntary cannot substitute ambitious policy, it unclear they delay encourage policy alignment.We find evidence corresponds increased action. However, there need further from diversity approaches better facilitate hinder just transition low-carbon societies.

Language: Английский

Citations

62
“A new direction? The “mainstreaming” of sustainability reporting” DOI
Mario Abela

Sustainability Accounting Management and Policy Journal, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(6), P. 1261 - 1283

Published: May 11, 2022

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the current developments “mainstream” and standardise sustainability reporting consequences those changes. Those changes give rise colonisation through adoption financial concepts. Design/methodology/approach This research draws on critical theory, particularly work Foucault, understand dynamics accounting change. approach provides an alternative narrative that concepts underpin are universal timeless. Findings It suggested if aim mandatory promote companies adopting sustainable business models, then it must properly reflect context company. Both transactive relationship information providing account can be used judge performance corporation beyond its production short-term net positive cash flows. Practical implications design standard setting arrangements for needs recognise may unhelpful simply adopt purposes directing corporate behaviour towards development. Social Continuing a view as nexus contracts with no clear accountability stakeholders likely stymie efforts deal environmental social crisis facing people planet. Originality/value Whilst other works have considered development reporting, best author’s knowledge, first study consider impacts “mainstreaming” within reporting.

Language: Английский

Citations

42
The alignment of companies' sustainability behavior and emissions with global climate targets DOI Creative Commons
Simone Cenci, Matteo Burato,

Marek Rei

et al.

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Dec. 5, 2023

Climate actions by the private sector are crucial to cutting global emissions and meeting climate targets set Paris Agreement. However, despite an increasing number of pledges, pathways most companies still misaligned with targets. To identify causes this discrepancy between effort outcome, we developed a systematic approach, based on extensive analyses textual data, track implemented major public corporations reduce their emissions. Our findings suggest that misalignment companies' goals, actions, outcomes is due widespread over-investment in risk mitigation as opposed innovation cooperation activities foster energy goals. Overall, provide framework actions. approach can be used investors policymakers redirect capital towards its sustainable use design behaviourally founded policy interventions.

Language: Английский

Citations

29
Goal-Based Private Sustainability Governance and Its Paradoxes in the Indonesian Palm Oil Sector DOI Creative Commons
Janina Grabs, Rachael Garrett

Journal of Business Ethics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 188(3), P. 467 - 507

Published: March 13, 2023

In response to stakeholder pressure, companies increasingly make ambitious forward-looking sustainability commitments. They then draw on corporate policies with varying degrees of alignment disseminate and enforce corresponding behavioral rules among their suppliers business partners. This goal-based turn in private governance has important implications for its likely environmental social outcomes. Drawing paradox theory, this article uses a case study zero-deforestation commitments the Indonesian palm oil sector argue that governance's characteristics set stage two types paradoxes emerge: performing between environmental, social, economic goals, organizing cooperation competition approaches. Companies' responses these paradoxes, turn, can explain lack full goal attainment differential rates progress actors. These results our attention complexities hidden behind through setting space, raise questions about viability similar strategies such as science-based targets net-zero goals.

Language: Английский

Citations

24