Net Zero Tracker

Are the current political headwinds really making CFO’s delay or roll back their climate commitments? Spoiler alert: no! Not according to new analysis from Kearney and We Don't Have Time. ‘Staying the Course: CFOs and the green transition’ shows that even in the current context of geo-political shifts and widespread economic precarity, a survey of 500 CFOs shows that CFO say they are doubling down on climate action, as they see their investments as critical to long-term profitability and commercial resilience. The data shows: 🎯 93% recognise sustainability investments as a business imperative, yet contradictorily 61% still view these investments as a cost, rather than a creator of value - suggesting financial models need to evolve. 🎯 92% plan to increase commitments in sustainability investments. 🎯 65% are currently measuring the cost of inaction, particularly in the US, and 75% are signaling awareness of the risks of not investing in sustainability. As of today, Net Zero Tracker data shows that 47% of companies globally have committed to a net zero target as part of their corporate strategy, with only 3.2% publishing a detailed plan, emphasising the need for greater transition planning to unlock the financial returns from investments. The report below by NewClimate Institute explores the need for new approaches to corporate climate targets and transition planning: https://lnkd.in/dcnKrVbW "The perspective of CFOs is often overlooked in the corporate sustainability debate, yet their role is crucial. As those in control of financial levers, CFOs are uniquely positioned to have a long-term impact on business strategy. And our study highlights that they’re already taking steps in this direction." Beth Bovis, Global Sustainability Lead at Kearney and one of the report's co-authors. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dgKpzUAQ Ingmar Rentzhog

Today we would like to say a huge congratulations to Gabriel Cairns, a key member of our fantastic volunteer cohort! Gabriel recently reached an impressive milestone of 100 entities tracked. As a ‘generalist’ volunteer, Gabriel is able to be agile in his contributions, tracking high priority entities as changes arise. Thank you to Gabriel, and to our invaluable team of volunteers! Gabriel has commented on his experience at the Tracker: "Hi, I’m Gabriel, a third-year DPhil student at the University of Oxford, using mathematics to model Antarctica. I joined the Tracker over two years ago with little to no knowledge of net zero targets. Since then I’ve assessed over 100 Tracker entries — from US energy giants to Japanese banks. "Volunteering at the Tracker is an emotional rollercoaster: with frustration at missing targets, joy at finding real ambition, and incredulity at greenwashing. "It’s amazing to contribute to research that makes global headlines and drives accountability!” If you’re interested in volunteering for the Net Zero Tracker, find out more information below: https://buff.ly/23mpkO0

In the face of Trump’s reversal of multiple climate initiatives, how can sectors and states sustain climate progress? An increasing number of states are collaborating to effect climate policies, led by their own laws and targets, regardless of federal support, reports Maria Gallucci at Canary Media Inc.  Taking the built environment for example, ‘Buy Clean’ policies were introduced by the previous U.S. federal government and leading states to leverage their vast purchasing power to spur manufacturing of low-carbon steel, cement, asphalt, glass, and other industrial products. While Trump has abandoned the policy, nine states have enacted Buy Clean laws. California enacted the nation’s first such policy in 2017, followed in subsequent years by Oregon, Colorado, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. There is a clear correlation between net-zero committed states and the  deployment of smart policy levers. As the ‘United States on Net Zero’ graphic shows, all nine states mentioned above have net zero targets, or emission reduction targets of 80% or more, emphasising the link between subnational  targets and climate action. “Buy Clean is a great example of how states and other nonfederal actors can continue to press forward on climate action, regardless of what the federal government does,” said Casey Katims, executive director of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of two dozen governors. https://lnkd.in/dN5Tj25X

Our latest 'Intent to Integrity' newsletter lands today! In this edition, we cover: 🎯 The shifting net zero landscape. 🚢 The impact of the ‘invisible hand’ of net zero on global trade. ⚖️ How South Africa’s entities address equity and a ‘just transition’ in their climate strategies. 📅 An upgraded data download boosts our usability. 🌐 'ChatNDC' launches - revolutionizing how governments craft climate commitments. 🖼️ And graphical explainers on ‘Net Zero Good Practice,’ the ‘Net Zero Conveyor Belt’ and ‘The United States on Net Zero.’

The latest edition of the Net Zero Tracker’s 'Intent to Integrity' newsletter has landed. In this edition, we cover: 🎯 The shifting net zero landscape - how the share of the global economy covered by national net zero commitments has fallen from 93% to 84%. 🎯 And on the flip-side, how the ‘invisible hands’ of net zero targets could reshape global trade dynamics, according to a new Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit report using our data. 🎯 The NZT’s latest publication, developed in collaboration with SouthSouthNorth, investigates how South Africa’s largest entities account for equity and ‘just transition’ within their climate strategies. 🎯 We announce a major upgrade to our data download, boosting our usability. 🎯 The launch of ChatNDC, by Data-Driven EnviroLab and Arboretica, revolutionising how governments craft their climate commitments. This is also bumper edition for graphical explainers, featuring ‘Net Zero Good Practice’, the ‘Net Zero Conveyor Belt’, and ‘the United States on Net Zero.’ Read the full newsletter below:  https://lnkd.in/eTe3X3h5 Sign up to our quarterly newsletter below: https://lnkd.in/eArbVRgJ

Useful analysis of the contribution of Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ)'s contribution to the climate transitions of financial institutions - and efforts underway to reinvent the group - by Emanuela (Emmy) Hawker for ESG Investor. NZT lead, John Lang comments on the need for transparency, given in 2023, 229 of the world’s largest fossil fuel developers were found to have received finance from 161 (29%) GFANZ members: “GFANZ’s restructure may prevent premature death, but if banks can brandish #GFANZ credentials without substantive commitments toward net zero or away from fossil fuels, it’s a terminal diagnosis. “Pragmatism is always welcome, but at what cost to integrity?”

What are Japan’s new carbon reduction targets? How will Japan’s new energy plan help implementation? Japan recently published its new climate plan, which includes the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 70% over the next 15 years, as part of a broader strategy to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, reports Mari Yamaguchi in The Associated Press. A new energy plan has been devised in which expanded renewables would account for 40-50% of electricity demand, whilst nuclear power would cover 20% of the energy supply by 2040. The country’s climate plan prioritises renewables as the principal source of power, relying on developments of solar batteries and portable solar panels. Read the full article here:  https://lnkd.in/eXAvyMg8

🚀 Job vacancy!  🔎 Are you an analyst with a background in data or economics?  If you have an interest in climate policy and enjoy transforming complex information into actionable insights, please consider applying below:  🗓️ Deadline: 26.02.25

🚨 Exciting new role: come work for us! Are you an analyst with a background in data or economics? Are you interested in climate, net zero and trade policy? We’re looking for a consultant analyst to help develop three country reports, assessing sectoral trends, trade policies and comparative advantages in key markets related to net zero. If you have a strong analytical background, and enjoy transforming complex information into actionable insights, please consider applying below:  https://lnkd.in/es6NdVEv 🗓️ Deadline: 26.02.25 We’d love to hear from you! 

The Net Zero Tracker shows that global coverage of #netzero shrunk from 93% to 78% following Donald Trump executive orders. But this figure misses a key angle - targets at the subnational level. John Lang’s latest infographic breaks down US net zero targets, revealing that when US states are accounted for, this figure increases from 78% to 84%. Referencing NZT’s updated figures, Stuart Stone reports in BusinessGreen that in the US alone: 🎯 50% of states by GDP are independently committed to net zero 🎯 300 out of 626 major US companies are covered by net zero targets, accounting for £7.9tn in turnover Read it here: https://lnkd.in/e-SA7QAu