Net Zero Transition – Latest signals of change (15.04.22)
We Mean Business Coalition
Here are just some of the signals of change from the past week, demonstrating the transition to a resilient and inclusive net-zero economy.
Net-Zero Economy
Mars Wrigley has unveiled plans to convert its ice cream plant in France to become the first 100% electrically powered industrial site within the Mars Group. The move builds on the company’s commitment to use 100% renewable power and will allow the site to become completely self-sufficient from the direct use of fossil fuels. Alphabet, Meta, Shopify and McKinsey have launched the Frontier Fund, which aims to bring carbon removal start-ups to scale and reduce the costs of drawing CO2 from the atmosphere through technology innovation.
Energy
Wind turbines in the UK set a new record in the first quarter of 2021, generating almost as much electricity as gas-fired power stations. Renewable sources overall generated more power than gas and coal, according to data from market specialist EnAppSys. This highlights the growth of renewables in Britain’s electricity system amid the push to cut carbon emissions.
Transport
Japanese car maker Honda has unveiled a 10-year electrification strategy. The company aims to sell 2 million electric vehicles (EVs) annually and expand its battery car offering to 30 models by the end of the decade. Its competitor Nissan is teaming up with NASA to develop EVs using fast-charging solid-state batteries by 2028.
Land and Nature
In Geneva, leading businesses continued to call for ambitious policies at the UN biodiversity meetings, despite slow overall progress in the negotiations. Nestle is working with the Springfontein Dairy Farm in South Africa to help meet net-zero goals. Bain & Company has committed to achieve ‘net-negative carbon’ by investing in nature-based solutions beyond its value chain in addition to reaching its 1.5°C science-based target. SAP and Unilever have teamed up to utilize block-chain technology to enhance traceability for deforestation-free supply chains.
Built Environment and Heavy Industry
Ørsted has inked a deal with Danish ship operator ESVAGT to develop the world’s first offshore wind service operation vessel (SOV) to operate on green fuels. Under the plan, the 93-meter vessel will be powered by batteries and dual fuel engines, and the ship is expected to produce roughly 4,500 less tonnes of CO2 annually than fossil fuel-powered alternatives on the market.
11 companies joined the SBTi through the Net Zero Standard commitment pathway:
Arburg GmbH + Co KG – German construction company
Brandix Lanka Limited – Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer
Clarivate, PLC – UK-based insights and analytics company
Compal Electronics, Inc. – Taiwanese technology design company
GANT AB – Swedish clothing brand
Greene King Limited – UK-based food and beverage company
JDR Cable Systems Limited – UK-based cable technology company
KB Home – American homebuilding company
Kering – French luxury goods company
Stonemen Crafts India Pvt. Ltd. – Indian stone craft company
Union Projetos Industriais LTDA – Brasilian industrial project manager
9 companies joined the SBTi through the science-based target pathway:
Freeport-McMoRan Inc. – American mining company
Greggs PLC – UK-based food retailer
Landsbankinn hf – Icelandic bank
Lopez-Dorada Foods – American food supplier
Rakuten Group, Inc. – Japanese electronic commerce company
Roca Group – Spanish sanitary ware manufacturer
SÜDPACK Holding GmbH – German films and packaging manufacturer
Synthomer plc – UK-based chemical company
Wiwynn Corporation – Taiwanese IT infrastructure provider
24 companies added to SBT approved this week:
Lojas Renner S.A. – Brasilian department store
EirGrid Group – Irish state-owned electric power transmission operator
Halfords Group PLC – UK-based motoring and cycling retailer
Mercer International – Canadian pulp and wood products company
Europcar Mobility Group – French car rental company
Kaufman & Broad SA – French real estate developer
Klöckner & Co – German steel and metal distributor
Marfrig Global Foods S/A – Brasilian food processing company
Axcel Management – Danish private equity investment company
American Airlines Inc. – American air transportation corporation
Stokke AS – Norwegian manufacturer of children’s furniture and accessories
Japan Carbon Management Co., Ltd. – Japanese carbon finance company
Platzer Fastigheter Holding AB (publ) – Swedish real estate company
Infraconcepts Netherlands B.B. – Dutch broadband company
Healeys Printers Limited – UK-based printing services company
EV Logistik GmbH – German cargo and logistics company
Suzaki Kogyosho Co., Ltd. – Japanese automobile components manufacturer
SCI Environmental Group Ltd – UK-based asbestos management and restoration company
MARUTOU CO., LTD. – Japanese food wholesaler
DAYDO CO., LTD. – Japanese house products wholesaler
Nativa Srl SB – Italian consultancy
Kerschgens Werkstoffe & Mehr GmbH – German metal fabricator
HOU-TECH CO., LTD – Japanese millwork company
Nippon Shokubai Europe NV – Belgian chemical company
2 companies joined RE100:
T&D Holdings, Inc. – Japanese insurance holding company
ROHM Co., LTD. – Japanese semiconductor manufacturer
Total number of SBTi commitments: 2,844 (1,535 committed, 1,309 approved)
Total number of RE100 commitments: 361
Content
Webinars & Events
US Action Climate Summit – 21 April
Earth Day: 22 April
Coalition jobs –
Media Manager & Communications Associate at the We Mean Business Coalition
Various posts at BSR
Various posts at CDP
Various posts at Ceres
Various posts at The Climate Group
Various posts at WBCSD
Various posts at SBTi
Various posts at CLG Europe