Business call to action for ambitious and investible NDCs
To protect communities, businesses and economies from growing climate impacts, we need to address the primary causes of dangerous global heating: the burning of fossil fuels and continued degradation of nature. The new national climate plans governments have agreed to deliver by September 2025 can help address these challenges while scaling clean energy that is affordable, reliable and safe, and building nature-positive economies.
Through the Coalition’s Call to Action and country-specific reports and advocacy, leading businesses are urging governments to create ambitious nationally determined contributions (NDCs) backed by clear targets, policies, and timelines. This can create a virtuous circle of fast-flowing investment, action, and ratcheted ambition – to accelerate the transition to a resilient and prosperous future.
Business call to action for ambitious and investible NDCs
Ambitious and investible NDCs unlock revenue by enabling businesses - empowered by ERP solutions - to drive sustainable growth, attract eco-conscious customers, and meet demand for greener products
Sophia Mendelsohn, Chief Sustainability and Commercial Officer, SAP
Corporates expect Governments to give strong market signals by committing to ambitious economy-wide targets in a path away from fossil fuels that promotes an accelerated uptake of renewables.
Miguel Stilwell d’Andrade, CEO of EDP and EDPR
Increased NDC ambition aligned with a 1.5C scenario, and stronger links between NDC targets and robust enabling policies are essential to harness the key role of private sector in investing and deploying climate solutions across all sectors (renewables, networks, heat pumps, electric vehicles…)
Gonzalo Sáenz de Miera, Global Director of Climate Change and Alliances, Iberdrola
To decarbonize the global economy, dialogue across the value chain is essential. For Signify, energy efficiency is the "first fuel'' in the transition to net zero and requires collective alignment between the private and public sectors, which NDCs encourage.
Mario Giordano, Global Head of Public & Government, Signify
Strong and specific NDCs send important business investment signals, driving global ambition.
Fleming Voetmann, Vice President of External Relations & Sustainability, VELUX Group
Bold and ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) lay the foundation for a flourishing net-zero economy, fostering innovation and unlocking unparalleled investment potential in renewable energy.
Deepak Thakur, Managing Director & CEO, Mahindra Susten
With five years to go for us to limit global warming to below 1.5° C we are optimistic that we can deliver to the Paris Agreement. We are making progress and to speed up we need to urgently scale climate actions with impact. Governments need to speed up and drive the renewable energy transition, setting clear objectives in their climate plans to enable businesses to accelerate action and transition away from fossil fuels.
Jesper Brodin, CEO, Ingka Group I IKEA
Country reports
Working with our global network of partners, the Coalition is supporting and amplifying business advocacy for ambitious and investible NDCs in key geographies.
How Brazil’s new NDC can drive private sector investment in climate action
As COP30 host and one of the first countries to submit a new NDC for 2035, Brazil is pushing the global climate agenda forward and establishing itself as a leader. Its new NDC, announced at COP29, sets a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 59–67% by 2035 from 2005 levels. This marks a step up in ambition from its existing 2030 target.
Private sector engagement is crucial to achieving this goal. As Brazil finalises the Climate Plan (Plano Clima) that will deliver on its NDC, CEBDS, in collaboration with We Mean Business Coalition, has developed recommendations for how the government can drive enhanced private sector action.
How Brazil’s new NDC can drive private sector investment in climate action
Turning promises into progress
World leaders made a historic commitment at COP28 to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy solutions. Business is looking for robust policy commitments for how this will be brought into reality in national policies and targets to be reflected in countries’ NDCs.
NDCs matter for businesses because they signal the opportunities, risks, and direction of travel of the policy environment in which companies operate. Policy certainty enables businesses to invest in clean energy solutions that help boost energy security, stability and affordability, and to develop affordable and reliable near-term alternatives to fossil fuels across operations and supply chains.
Businesses matter for NDCs because they are working toward their clean energy goals and reducing emissions. Their choices of where and how to invest matter. Through the Fossil to Clean campaign, over 260 companies with a combined revenue of >$1.6 trillion are shifting away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy solutions – and advocating for governments to do the same. These companies are seizing the benefits of the clean energy transition, including a stronger workforce, more resilient supply chains and increased competitiveness.
Turning promises into progress
Responsible businesses are calling for ambitious NDCs backed by clear targets, policies, and timelines, that create a virtuous circle of fast-flowing investment, accelerated action, and ratcheted ambition.
Ambitious NDCs will be easier to achieve if businesses, governments and other stakeholders co-create them. Co-creating solutions requires ongoing dialogue throughout the NDC development cycle to drive the systemic change required.
Download the report (pdf)
The Call to Action from Businesses
Businesses are calling on governments – led by the G20 countries – to act across three pillars.
Putting forward ambitious 1.5°C-aligned NDCs containing economy-wide and sector-specific targets, as well as clear commitments to translate targets into concrete policies.
Translating NDCs into clear and consistent policy frameworks that unlock the full potential of the private sector.
Undertaking transparent and inclusive dialogue with businesses, creating an integral role for business and other affected stakeholders at all stages of the NDC cycle.
