Climate Action Beyond Government: How Business Can Drive Action Through Value Chain Based Goals and Cooperative Initiatives
Embargo until
Date
2018-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to provide recommendations for improved corporate climate action strategies, based on trends in the successful setting and achievement of emissions reduction goals in the business sector of the United States. The primary research objectives of the study include first, identifying trends in GHG reduction goal setting criteria of leaders in corporate emissions reduction. Secondly, the study aims to determine the impacts of scope 3 goal inclusion in these targets. Third, reported corporate sustainability values are assessed for trends as possible success indicators. Finally, the study seeks to produce recommendations for other companies in the U.S. to utilize identified success factors. The focus of the study is on the top 100 U.S. companies from the Fortune 500 2017 list. An analysis of these companies' self disclosure reports to the Climate Disclosure Project (CDP) climate change dataset for 2017, was conducted to address the purpose and objectives of the study. Findings from this study show that the business sector has a huge potential impact in reducing the county's GHG emissions. Primary indicators of success include higher target setting and measurement of scope 3 emissions across multiple scope 3 sources. Recommendations are for large corporations to lead the way in setting emissions demands on suppliers and changing perceived acceptability in corporate emissions output.
Description
Keywords
business, emissions, climate, supply chain