Zero-Carbon Transition – Latest signals of change (05.02.21)
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 zero-carbon future is accelerating.
Zero-Carbon Economy
Climate expert and broker of the Paris Agreement Xie Zhenhua has been appointed China’s climate envoy. Michael Bloomberg has been named the first Global Ambassador for the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience campaigns, run by the COP26 Champions. US President Joe Biden has created a new climate adviser role at NASA. The UK chancellor is expected to introduce environmental clauses into the Bank of England’s mandate. A French court has ruled that the French government must do more to combat climate change. Goldman Sachs has joined the Open Source Climate initiative, which along with Microsoft, Amazon and S&P aims to democratize climate data. And the price of EU carbon offsets has soared to a record high of nearly €38/t.
Zero-Carbon Transport
The Climate Group’s EV100 initiative has welcomed seven new members, taking the total to more than 100 members committed to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). The new joiners include Europe’s largest Coca-Cola bottling company Coca-Cola European Partners, German electronic giant Siemens and Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis. And online UK supermarket Ocado is trialing electric delivery vehicles for rapid deliveries.
Zero-Carbon Energy
The Climate Group’s RE100 imitative has reached a milestone of 50 Japanese businesses committed to 100% renewable power, with recent joiners from the country including technology firm Nikon, construction group Kumagai Gumi and Nissin Food Holdings. Denmark has approved a renewable energy island in the North Sea, which will cover the needs of 3 million households in Europe. And Aviva has warned it will ditch stakes in 30 of the world’s largest oil, gas, mining and utilities companies unless they do more to tackle climate change.
Zero-Carbon Built Environment & Heavy Industry
US chemicals company Ashland LLC has committed to set a science-based target, while Swedish real estate group Fabege AB has had its target approved. And LafargeHolcim’s net-zero pledge has been named “Net Zero Carbon Strategy of the Year” in the edie Sustainability Leaders Awards.
Zero-Carbon Land Use & Nature Based Solutions
IKEA has purchased 10,840 acres of protected land in Georgia to add to its sustainably managed forest portfolio. IKEA also announced it has increased its use of recycled polyester from 59 to 83 percent of all textile products. And one of the world’s largest producers of farmed salmon SalMar ASA has committed to set a science-based target.
Zero-Carbon Transition – Latest signals of change (29.01.21)