Accelerating Emissions Reductions and Strengthening Business Performance

Physical risks related to rising temperatures are already impacting business. The next five years are critical for accelerating greenhouse gas emissions reduction if we are to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. Yet the window for decisive action is closing quickly. Although ambitions have been high amongst corporate leaders, other pressures on business performance in today’s more volatile market have divided attention. Furthermore, many companies have recognized that much of their potential for climate impact lies within their value chains, and are therefore finding it hard to deliver scaled decarbonization by 2030. 

We also find ourselves in a transformative era of accelerated artificial intelligence (AI) development and adoption. As such, we stand on the precipice of converging forces that, acted on consciously and collectively, could drive positive outcomes for businesses and society. Done well, decarbonizing business value chains could lower operational costs, enhance resilience, mitigate risks, address regulatory and customer demands, and open opportunities for innovation, growth, and lower costs of capital, for all. This is a pivotal moment for business, and it is why accelerating emissions reduction has become a priority focus for the WBCSD. Climate leadership goes beyond individual commitments: it calls for collective mobilization of all value chain actors willing to engage. 

No company can reach net zero in isolation, and even if some succeed, the global impact will fall short unless we jointly reduce emissions.   

Developed with EY, this report identifies a unique impact opportunity for WBCSD and its members. It shows how WBCSD’s member companies and their value chains play a pivotal role in the global economy and emissions landscape, and it illustrates how WBCSD can adopt a value chain approach across its membership portfolio to accelerate emissions reduction while improve business performance by 2030. Inspired by these findings, WBCSD will launch the Emissions Reduction Accelerator (ERA) and an action plan to support our members in seizing this opportunity. 

The time for action is now. WBCSD has the unique opportunity to convene 250+ of the world’s leading companies to achieve a future that protects our people, planet and purpose.

– Peter Bakker, President & CEO, WBCSD