BY HARNESSING THE POWER OF BUSINESS ACTION AND POLICY AMBITION, WE’RE DRIVING PROGRESS ACROSS KEY SYSTEMS AND THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.
We Mean Business Coalition is proof that the private sector is shifting. Real momentum is growing for faster, bolder action on climate, unprecedented collaboration across industries, collective courage from leading companies, an unbending commitment to evidence-based policymaking, and a shared vision of a global economy that is both green and just. Now the pressure is on for climate action at speed and with scale.- Paul Polman, business leader, campaigner, author of 'Net Positive: how courageous companies thrive by giving more than they take'
Economies
We work to halve global emissions by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.
2,339 listed companies in the Coalition’s network, representing 74.48% of the market cap valued in the MSCI All Country World Index.
426 companies joined Climate Group and CDP’s RE100 initiative in 2023, with 50% of electricity sourced from renewables across the membership.
1,777 new SMEs joined the SME Climate Hub in 2023, marking a 33% increase on 2022.
Finance
We work to help ensure clear and consistent disclosure of climate-related risks and opportunities, to get finance flowing to the companies best-placed for the net zero transition.
9 key corporate reporting laws benefitted from our expertise including: the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, the EU Taxonomy, the SBTi Finance Sector and TCFD Reporting Guidance, and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards 2024.
97 of the world’s 100 largest corporations backed the TCFD framework in 2023.
Energy
We work to help achieve the phase out of global energy-related CO2 emissions by the middle of the century, including a 42% GHG reduction by 2030, compared to 2021.
The equivalent of 1.7% of total global clean energy consumption was demanded by RE100 member companies in 2023.
RE100 members’ renewable energy demand now almost equals Spain’s electricity consumption (289 TWh).
200+ companies representing over $1.5 trillion USD in global annual revenue urged national governments to address the primary cause of climate change: burning fossil fuels.
Transport
We work to decarbonize transport for people and goods, contributing to a 30% GHG reduction from transport system emissions by 2030, compared to 2019.
1.5+ million light-duty vehicles are committed to transition to Zero Emissions Vehicles by 2030 through Climate Group’s EV100.
50+ multinationals have joined the Sustainable Freight Buyers Alliance, and 5 pilot projects are now running.
35,239+ charging units have been installed by EV100 businesses.
Heavy Industry
We work to create a pathway for industry by aligning hard to abate sectors such as the steel, cement and chemicals sectors with Mission Possible Partnership sector transition strategies by 2030.
116 million metric tonnes of steel was produced at ResponsibleSteel certified sites in 2023, with some of the biggest steel producers receiving certification including ArcelorMittal, POSCO, and Tata Steel.
Climate Group’s SteelZero has grown to 38 members and is capturing a continued increase in demand, now covering 10.4 MMT of steel.
The ResponsibleSteel standard now accounts for 23% of production (256 MMT) from the top 50 global producers.
Built Environment
We work with companies, cities and regions to halve total lifecycle emissions from buildings by 2030 and accelerate the transition to net zero carbon buildings.
To date, 395 million metric tons have been reduced through energy efficiency measures in the built environment.
Members of Climate Group’s EP100 initiative are delivering an overall 6% improvement in energy productivity, compared to the IEA suggested 4% improvement rate.
Land & Nature
We work to accelerate investments in nature-based solutions so that land system emissions reach net zero by 2030.
Our research, carried out with Forest Trends’ Ecosystem Marketplace, found that companies engaging in the voluntary carbon markets are nearly 2x more likely to report lower gross emissions year-on-year.
In 2023, we advanced our partnership with the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity (VCMI) initiative and participated in SBTI’s Beyond Value Chain Mitigation project team.
The Coalition’s eight policy asks are cited in the final text of the Paris Agreement.
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres cites the Coalition and the business voice as a key determinant in securing a successful Agreement.
In just a year, the number of companies aligning their emissions reduction targets with science, through the Science Based Targets initiative jumps to 150.
Hundreds of U.S. companies sign the ‘We Are Still In’ pledge days after Trump announces his intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
In response to the IPCC special report on 1.5°C, the Coalition calls for an increase in corporate ambition to align with the 1.5°C pathway.
The number of businesses joining SBTi rises 39% year-on-year. 17% of Fortune Global 500 companies setting science-based targets.
The Coalition mobilizes 120 UK companies calling for an ambitious NDC.
The open letter to UK Prime Minister Theresa May is a key factor in the country’s net zero 2050 commitment.
The Coalition leads on the Build Back Better narrative in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Over 2,000 businesses globally advocate for governments to build back better with a green recovery.
The Coalition mobilizes more than 170 CEOs calling the EU to raise its NDC ambition.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen references the business-backed letter in her State of the Union speech.
Over 1,000 companies are taking action through SBTi, as the Coalition marks its 5th anniversary.
Over 400 businesses sign the Coalition-organised letter calling for an ambitious U.S. NDC.
The U.S. government increases its 2030 emission reduction target to 50-52% below 2005 levels.
The Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign totals 700 companies.
These companies commit to set emissions reduction targets in line with the 1.5°C trajectory.
We Mean Business Coalition wrote to EFRAG, GRI, SEC, and ISSB
calling for global consistency in corporate sustainability reporting.
1,000+ companies join calls for governments to set policies that accelerate the transition to clean energy.
Companies headquartered in 60 countries sign letters and statements in support.
Over 5,000 SMEs across 100+ countries are now part of SME Climate Hub,
as the initiative launches in the US.
250+ companies and civil society voices signed a Coalition statement calling on leaders at COP27 to uphold their commitment to 1.5°C.
The call contributed to keeping 1.5°C in the final text.
3,000+ businesses took an advocacy action in 2022 in support of Coalition policy asks
with over 10,000 companies now members of Coalition initiatives.
