Twenty global companies across industries have joined The Climate Pledge, bringing the total to 53.
With detrimental climate change looming, companies around the world are committing to change via The Climate Pledge, a cross-sector community of companies, organizations, individuals and partners working together to address the climate crisis. Recently, 20 more companies made their pledge to have net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
“Amazon co-founded The Climate Pledge in 2019 to encourage companies to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement 10 years early, and we’re seeing incredible momentum behind the pledge,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO. “Together, we can use our collective scale to help decarbonize the economy and preserve Earth for future generations.”
The latest additions bring the total commitments to 53 and include companies from 12 different countries and 18 industries. As part of the pledge, the companies are committed to regularly measuring and reporting their greenhouse gas emissions. They will also implement decarbonization via innovation and operational changes, such as moving toward renewable energy and reducing materials. The third facet of the pledge is to neutralize remaining emissions to ensure net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, which is 10 years earlier than the Paris Agreement goal.
Making a pledge to sustainability was a natural step for ACCIONA. Founded in 1990, this global group’s main mission is to develop and manage sustainable infrastructure. The company has invested in a range of sustainable projects, from a 3D-printed bridge to wind farms in North America and clean energy and water solutions in Latin America. It achieved carbon neutral status in 2016.
Among the human activities that have most greatly contributed to climate change is burning fossil fuels. As a forest industry leader, UPM works toward creating renewable and recyclable alternatives. Among its many innovations, the company released in 2014 Biofore, a car powered by a 1.2-liter engine that uses UPM’s BioVerno. Since then, UPM has continued its efforts to produce new materials and other products to create a more sustainable world. It is the first forest industry company to join The Climate Pledge.
While Amazon may be one of the most well-known names associated with The Climate Pledge, another big name recently signed on to participate: IBM. The giant tech company has been disclosing its environmental performance for more than 30 years and has been committed to helping people and the environment for decades. It publicly addressed the seriousness of climate change in 2007.
The other companies committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 include:
- Colis Prive—Founded in 1993, this French delivery company has four hubs across the country and has delivered more than 63 million parcels. It focuses particularly on last-mile deliveries and energy efficiency.
- Cranswick plc—This British food producer aims to move toward sustainable practices in all facets of its operations. Additional measures are being taken to reduce waste from farm to production and packaging and to decarbonize farms. The company has already moved to a renewable energy grid for electricity.
- Daabon—A producer of organic crops in Colombia, Daabon has steadily integrated sustainable practices into its production processes. It was deemed certified sustainable by the Rainforest Alliance and is an innovator in capturing methane gas to be used as fuel.
- FREE NOW—This European Transportation company serves more than 50 million passengers. It previously committed to achieving zero emissions for 50 percent of its vehicles by 2025 and ensuring that passenger trips are emission free by 2030.
- Generation Investment Management—While it may not be a major producer of emissions, climate change and emissions are a major factor when it comes to investment decisions. According to the company, it is committed to aligning investment portfolios with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 or sooner.
- Green Britain Group—This umbrella company claims the world’s first green energy firm, Ecotricity, and the greenest football team, Forest Green Rovers Football Club. The former powers more than 200,000 homes with 100 percent renewable sources, while the football team was certified carbon neutral in 2017.
- Hotelbeds—With more than 15,000 properties certified sustainable, Hotelbeds is dedicated to changing tourism and reducing waste.
- Iceland Foods—A longtime proponent of Earth-friendly practices, Iceland Foods has reduced its carbon footprint by 74 percent over 10 years. Two areas of focus are eliminating single-use plastics and making changes to reduce waste associated with the food industry.
- Interface—This global flooring manufacturer has been striving to reduce its carbon emissions for more than 25 years. It created the first carbon negative carpet tile and has carbon neutral products.
- Johnson Controls—Focused on sustainable buildings, Johnson Controls strives to help customers, people and communities move toward sustainable living. It will continue its focus on promoting clean energy and reducing waste.
- MiiR—While it may be a drinkware company, MiiR is a leader in funding environmental projects. It has granted $1.6 million to nonprofit organizations and has been part of assisting water, sanitation and hygiene projects since forming in 2010.
- Ørsted—Once on the list of most fossil fuel intensive utilities in Europe, it now finds itself as the most sustainable energy company in the world. The company’s carbon emissions have been reduced by 87 percent.
- Prosegur Group—Prosegur Compañia de Seguridad and its subsidiary, Prosegur Cash, part of Prosegur Group, are dedicated to minimizing their environmental impact. Prosegur Group aims to decarbonize its vehicle fleet and created the Prosegur Cash, a 100 percent electric armored truck.
- Slalom—A consulting firm, Slalom aims to ensure that every part of its operations is sustainable and to create solutions to help others.
- S4Capital—As an advertising agency, S4Capital has committed to sustainable practices while also using its various mediums to encourage adoption in other sectors.
- Vanderlande—Material handling and logistics may have once been a sector for waste, but Vanderlande is working to change that. With energy optimization across its operations a key goal, the company has turned to technology, such as energy-monitoring software at customer sites, to help it achieve that.