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In This Issue
Editor's Note
Climate 2.0: What Is Expected of Business Now?
This week, after a month of internal BSR discussions about climate change, we’re inviting you to join us for a climate edition of the Insight.
To kick it off, BSR’s Climate and Energy Manager Ryan Schuchard examines the new expectations for business, 10 years after companies first started to address climate change. Schuchard asked more than a dozen climate experts from organizations ranging from the Carbon Disclosure Protocol to HSBC: What are the expectations of business today, in terms of minimum standards and leadership activities? He distilled their advice into five categories: governance, strategy, communications, results, and integration.
Next, we look at the impact of business travel, which is part of a company’s Scope 3 emissions. Using data from the Carbon Disclosure Project, we share a graphic illustrating how various industries stack up in their reporting on business travel carbon emissions.
And finally, we share highlights from a new study in Nature on how coalitions of companies, cities, and civil society can work together to reduce emissions.
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In Depth
Climate 2.0: What Is Expected of Business Now?
By Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy, BSR
Business has had more than a decade to become acquainted with climate change, but during this short period, both company practices and expectations for business have evolved dramatically. What are the expectations of business today, from minimum standards to leadership?
Read more →
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Quick Hit
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Reporting on Business Travel Emissions
By Andrew Matthews, Associate, Advisory Services, BSR
For full image, click here. The U.S. recently hosted representatives of 15 countries to discuss global solutions for reducing aviation emissions. The private sector should take note, as leading companies more rigorously evaluate their own business travel emissions. Today, the sectors most actively reporting Scope 3 emissions from business travel are financial services, health care, and information and communications technology (ICT). Companies that manage their travel footprint can cut unnecessary costs, take advantage of virtual solutions, and create shared value and improved sustainability through novel partnerships. BSR will be conducting research on best practices related to Scope 3 emissions from business travel, including:
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Making data-based decisions for transportation options
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Getting the most out of ICT solutions
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Collaborating with travel carriers
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Deciding when and how to purchase offsets for travel
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Achieving—and getting recognition for—financial savings
To learn more about BSR's new Scope 3 business travel working group, please contact Andrew Matthews.
Toolbox
Giving Business a Role in Reducing Carbon Emissions
By Julia Robinson, Communications Associate, BSR
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:
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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.
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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.
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