S & P 500 Carbon Disclosure Project report
In the past year, climate change has risen in prominence as a major strategic concern for businesses globally, as operational and reputational climate-change-related risks and opportunities intensify. Where GHG mitigation efforts were traditionally the focus of environmental managers and directors, there is intensified attention from the C-suite. Climate-change-related commitments, investments and activities including some innovative cross-industry alliances are currently under way at many of America's largest companies.
The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), to which PwC has been appointed global advisor and report writer, and now in its seventh year, aims to provide investors with a unique analysis of how the worlds largest companies are responding to climate change. This report provides insight into how 332 listed companies on the S&P 500 Index are measuring and managing their carbon emissions, and what risks and opportunities are presented by climate change for their business. Some highlights include:
- Number of companies reporting emissions reduction targets increases 66%, from 102 (32%) to 169 respondents (52%)
- Companies disclosing their GHG emissions rises to 79%
- More companies now see opportunities than risk from climate change (86% vs 82%)
With attention to climate change challenges moving squarely onto the C-suite agenda and with preparation for the monetization of carbon afoot, the US seems to be at its tipping point, where access to reliable emissions information will become a necessity.
Matt Arnold, Advisory Principal, US Sustainability & Climate Change says "Nearly 200 companies have established greenhouse gas reduction targets, almost double the number from last year. These commitments reflect increasing acceptance of mandatory greenhouse gas reduction goals in the US."
