Date: 2024-12-21 Page is: DBtxt003.php txt00021886
MANAGEMENT METRICS
ROLE OF NET-ZERO METRICS
Grading companies’ net-zero plans
ROLE OF NET-ZERO METRICS
Grading companies’ net-zero plans
Person running up steps toward a graduation cap ... Can companies make the grade when it comes to their net-zero plans? Image via Shutterstock/Cherries
Original article: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/grading-companies-net-zero-plans
Burgess COMMENTARY
Peter Burgess
By Sarah Golden ... Senior Analyst, Energy | Chair, VERGE Electrify GreenBiz Group @sbgolden
This article was adapted from Energy Weekly, a free newsletter about the clean energy transition.
March 17, 2022
At a moment when the world is aligning behind net-zero commitments, new data shows we’re not (yet) headed in the right direction.
The International Energy Agency released a report showing energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose by 6 percent in 2021, to 36.3 billion tons — their highest-ever level. The increase more than offsets 2020’s dip in emissions, which, at the time, some optimists hoped would buy us time to address climate change and spur forward a green recovery.
The increase was driven by spikes in natural gas prices, which led to more coal being burned. Like in a monster in a horror film, the seeming death of coal was but a fake out, with this unsuspecting viewer shocked to see it come rearing back. Emissions from the world’s dirtiest fuel reached an all-time high in 2021. The report also exposed natural gas as a climate villain, as well. Emissions rebounded above 2019 levels, with methane emissions adding to the tally.
This bump in emissions happened despite 70 countries, accounting for more than 80 percent of global CO2 emissions and 90 percent of global GDP, and more than 5,000 companies committing to net zero by 2050, as part of the United Nations Race to Zero campaign.
Companies’ report cards are in, and they weren’t graded on a curve
So what gives? How can we have more ambitious commitments than ever, yet still be moving in the wrong direction?
A new report from the shareholder advocacy nonprofit As You Sow sheds light on how a company can have ambitious-sounding commitments and still lag on progress.
The report, “Road to Zero Emissions,” dug into the data of 55 of the largest U.S. corporations and graded their progress based on three different pillars: climate-related disclosures, GHG reduction targets and GHG reductions.
The findings: The vast majority of company climate actions are not yet aligned with global climate goals. Major factors include skimming over emissions buried in supply chains, and over relying on carbon offsets, instead of transforming operations.
Among the report’s notable findings:
- Only three companies received an overall “A” grade. Microsoft, PepsiCo and Ecolab received that recognition. Three-quarters scored a “D” or below. In last place: Tesla.
- Only two companies, Apple and Microsoft, have Scope 3 targets aligned with 1.5 degrees C. Scope 3 emissions refer to all emissions outside of direct operations, including all emissions associated with the manufacturing supply chain. They usually account for the vast majority of a company’s emissions. This omission means most companies aren’t leveraging their buying power to decarbonize throughout their supply chain.
- Six companies (Microsoft, PepsiCo, Ecolab, Alphabet, Prologis and Abbott Laboratories) received an “A” for emissions reductions consistent with 1.5 degrees. The methodology included reducing Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions. That knocked back many companies that are focused just on Scope 1 and 2, which represent less than half of emissions for 53 of the companies analyzed. And these decreases may be uneven. Despite its ambitious plans, Microsoft reported an increase in GHG from its operations last year.
- Zero companies received an “A” grade for target setting. This is because the methodology required net zero by 2050 with limited use of carbon offsets. The guidelines from third-party validation systems indicate offsets should only be used for residual emissions, which should represent less than 10 percent of overall reductions. No company states an intent to reach net zero with limited offsets.
- Companies can have tremendous influence in reaching climate goals, often operating internationally and straddling climate policy environments. They have the ability to influence and decarbonize value chains in ways often invisible to customers and outside of the reach of U.S. policy jurisdiction. And they’re increasingly sensitive to climate reputation exposure, wanting to be on the right side of history.
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Energy Weekly Newsletter ... Grading major companies’ net-zero plans
Written by Sarah Golden
March 17, 2022
At a moment when the world is aligning behind net-zero commitments, new data shows we’re not (yet) headed in the right direction.
The International Energy Agency released a report showing energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose by 6 percent in 2021, to 36.3 billion tones — their highest ever level. The increase more than offsets 2020’s dip in emissions, which, at the time, some optimists hoped would buy us time to address climate change and spur forward a green recovery.
The increase was driven by spikes in natural gas prices, which led to more coal being burned. Like in a monster in a horror film, the seeming death of coal was but a fake out, with this unsuspecting viewer shocked to see it come rearing back. Emissions from the world’s dirtiest fuel reached an all-time high in 2021. The report also exposed natural gas as a climate villain, as well. Emissions rebounded above 2019 levels, with methane emissions adding to the tally.
This bump in emissions happened despite 70 countries, accounting for more than 80 percent of global CO2 emissions and 90 percent of global GDP, and more than 5,000 companies committing to net zero by 2050, as part of the United Nations Race to Zero campaign.
Companies’ report cards are in, and they weren’t graded on a curve
So what gives? How can we have more ambitious commitments than ever, yet still be moving in the wrong direction?
A new report from the shareholder advocacy nonprofit As You Sow sheds light on how a company can have ambitious-sounding commitments and still lag on progress.
The report, “Road to Zero Emissions,” dug into the data of 55 of the largest U.S. corporations and graded their progress based on three different pillars: climate-related disclosures, GHG reduction targets and GHG reductions.
The findings: The vast majority of company climate actions are not yet aligned with global climate goals. Major factors include skimming over emissions buried in supply chains, and over relying on carbon offsets, instead of transforming operations.
AYS report image
Among the report’s notable findings:
- Only three companies received an overall “A” grade — Microsoft, PepsiCo and Ecolab. Three-quarters scored a “D” or below. In last place: Tesla.
- Only two companies, Apple and Microsoft, have Scope 3 targets aligned with 1.5 degrees C. Scope 3 emissions refer to all emissions outside of direct operations, including all emissions associated with the manufacturing supply chain. They usually account for the vast majority of a company’s emissions. This omission means most companies aren’t leveraging their buying power to decarbonize throughout their supply chain.
- Six companies (Microsoft, PepsiCo, Ecolab, Alphabet, Prologis and Abbott Laboratories) received an “A” for emissions reductions consistent with 1.5 degrees. The methodology included reducing Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions. That knocked back many companies that are focused just on Scope 1 and 2, which represent less than half of emissions for 53 of the companies analyzed. And these decreases may be uneven. Despite its ambitious plans, Microsoft reported an increase in GHG from its operations last year.
- Zero companies received an “A” grade for target setting. This is because the methodology required net zero by 2050 with limited use of carbon offsets. The guidelines from third-party validation systems indicate offsets should only be used for residual emissions, which should represent less than 10 percent of overall reductions. No company states an intent to reach net zero with limited offsets.
Yet the reports out this week show we’re not on the path to a safe climate future. In fact, we’re moving in the wrong direction. Climate commitments that aim to keep business as usual won’t get us there; we need companies and countries to embrace transformation shifts, and accountability and transparency to get us there.