Global 500 report

CDP submissions for 2011 clearly show that companies across a range of sectors and geographies are taking serious actions to drive ‘clean growth’, the decoupling of turnover and profits from emissions growth.

Corporate entities are realizing that it is not just regulation that is driving issues on climate change, both customers and investors want sustainable products and services. Companies are generating value for their future by listening and responding to these requests.

 

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Alan McGill, partner in Sustainability and Climate Change and Paul Simpson, CEO of the Carbon Disclosure Project
In the following interview Alan McGill, partner in Sustainability and Climate Change, discusses the key findings of this year’s report with Paul Simpson, CEO of the Carbon Disclosure Project.

Some of the key findings from this year’s report are highlighted below:

  • 73% (294) of Global 500 respondents disclose absolute or intensity emission reduction targets, an increase from 65% (250) in 2010.

  • 68% (269) of companies are integrating climate change initiatives into their overall business strategy, up from 48% (187) in 2010.

  • The majority (93%, 368) of 2011 respondents report board or senior executive oversight for their company’s climate change program, up from 85% (328) in 2010.   

  • 65% (259) of respondents provide monetary incentives to staff for managing climate change issues, versus 49% (188) in 2010.  This suggests more active commitment in advancing greater management of carbon.

  • 44% (178) of respondents have made emissions reductions from various activities, which compares to 19% (75) of respondents that had reduced emissions in 2010. The leaders are clearly moving ahead in this regard with 100% (29) of the CPLI (2010: 52%, 25) and 78% (38) of the CDLI (2010: 47%, 24) showing emissions reductions.

  • A total of 1,780 emissions reduction activities are reported by 96% (384) of responding companies in 2011. Energy efficiency (building fabric, building services and processes), low carbon energy installations and behavioral change are the most commonly identified activity types.

  • Companies in Australia, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the UK are demonstrating strong performance leadership.  Canada, Japan and the USA lag behind on performance.