BSR Insight | Giving Business a Role in Reducing Carbon Emissions
Government pledges and roadmaps might reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 3 to 6 gigatons, but a significant gap—around 6 to 9 gigatons—remains to keep global warming below 2°C by 2020, which is the accepted threshold to avoid high-risk climate change.
A new study in the science journal Nature (requires registration) outlines how coalitions of companies, cities, and civil society can work together to reduce emissions by 10 gigatons (or 10,000 megatons) by 2020.
Two of the 21 initiatives outlined are:
- Supply chain reductions: If 30 percent of the largest companies require suppliers to reduce emissions by 10 percent by 2020, emissions globally would drop by 200 megatons.
- Green financial institutions: If the 20 largest banks reduce the carbon footprint of 10 percent of their assets by 80 percent, emissions globally would drop by 400 megatons.
This study demonstrates the important role business must play in global emissions-reduction efforts and highlights the significance of value chain (Scope 3) management for companies in doing the most they can to make a positive climate impact.
About the Author(s)
Julia Robinson, Communications Associate
Julia provides editorial, media, marketing, and digital support to BSR staff and projects... Read more →
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