building-blocks-net-zero-companies-transformation (PwC Microsoft)
building-blocks-net-zero-companies-transformation (PwC Microsoft)
Foreword
Even as COVID-19 takes hold of our attention, the pressing challenge of climate change
remains. With a view out beyond the current crisis, arguably the greatest transformation
challenge humankind has faced is staring right at us: the world has 10 years to halve global
greenhouse gas emissions and avoid global warming of above 1.5°C. Beyond this point of
warming, the more devastating impacts of climate change become irreversible. Put simply,
this gives us just over two business cycles to transform every sector of the global economy.
The good news is that we have recently seen a wave of bold business commitments – just
under 300 global companies have now made net zero before 2050 pledges1. But there is still
so much more to do. Only around 5% of the world’s largest companies represented by the
Global Fortune 500 have pledged to become net zero2. For those that have, there are varying
levels of robustness.
What we do know is that leading net zero commitments have certain attributes. They are
science-based. They take responsibility for tackling value chain emissions including
suppliers, products, services and investments. They also explicitly recognize that net zero
requires a reshaping of corporate strategy and in turn a firm’s operating model. And they
allocate substantial funding for skills, innovation and R&D to reflect the importance of new
capabilities, technologies and business models.
In this PwC and Microsoft report, contributed to the new Transform to Net Zero Initiative, we
have come together to create a ‘blueprint’ to help guide companies as they move from
ambition to action. We have a shared belief that delivering on net zero requires wholesale
business transformation, and that functions across the organization need to play a vital role
- from strategy, product development, sales and marketing, and innovation and R&D, to
corporate finance, risk and compliance, procurement and people. That is why, together, and
with case studies from the initiative’s founding members, we undertook this work to create
a good practice guide on net zero transformation for stakeholders across a business.
Transform to Net Zero is about leading companies stepping up to accelerate the
transformation of businesses and industries to achieve a socially just net zero future.
Companies like ours are well placed, and have a duty, to drive efforts and demonstrate what
Celine Herweijer Lucas Joppa
net zero transformation looks like so that companies of all sizes can do the same. Global Climate Change Leader, Chief Environmental Officer,
Partner, PwC UK Microsoft
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About
About Transform to Net Zero
This report - produced by PwC and commissioned by
Microsoft - is the first of many contributions to the Transform to Net Zero intends to develop and
Transform to Net Zero initiative. It sets the scene for deliver research, guidance and implementable
what is meant by net zero transformation for roadmaps to enable all businesses to achieve
businesses, and provides a consistent narrative and net zero emissions. It will focus on enabling
framing for the work of the Transform to Net Zero the business transformation needed to
initiative. achieve net zero emissions no later than 2050,
in addition to driving broader change, with a
It outlines the key building blocks for business focus on policy, innovation, and finance. The
transformation needed to deliver net zero, providing a initiative intends to complete the outputs of
coherent, holistic, and good practice framework that this work by 2025, and these will be available
businesses can use to inform and guide how to embed to all.
net zero into a company’s strategy and operating model.
The Initiative will be led by founding members
For each building block of the transformation journey, including A.P. Moller – Maersk, Danone,
this report describes a comprehensive checklist of key Mercedes-Benz AG, Microsoft Corp.,
actions businesses need to undertake over time, Natura&Co, NIKE, Inc., Starbucks, Unilever,
explains why they are important and provides practical and Wipro, as well as Environmental Defense
and actionable guidance that companies can follow to Fund (EDF). The Initiative is supported by BSR,
achieve them. Whilst comprehensive, this checklist is which is serving as the Secretariat for the
not exhaustive and different companies may choose to Initiative.
focus on specific actions most relevant to their
operating context. We also expect this checklist to This report, written by PwC, was
evolve with time, as more lessons are learned on commissioned by Microsoft as a first
implementing effective net zero transformation. contribution to the objectives of Transform to
Net Zero. It does not necessarily reflect the
This document is intended to be used by business views of the Transform to Net Zero members.
executives and function heads as a framework, setting
out how to translate a net zero commitment into the
This document seeks to complement the work of other business-focused climate action
business transformation that is required to build a
initiatives, including SBTi, CDP and the GHG Protocol, and WBCSD’s SOS1.5 program, as well as
business fit for the future. It is sector and size agnostic,
sectoral efforts such as the World Economic Forum’s Mission Possible Platform and the Net Zero
and contains case studies from Transform to Net Zero
Asset Owner Alliance. Going forward the Transform to Net Zero initiative will collaborate with,
founding members to bring the building blocks to life.
and leverage the diverse work, good practice and research of these initiatives, and integrate
them with Transform to Net Zero tools and resources. Transform to Net Zero’s aim is to enable
companies of all sizes, everywhere, across industries and value chains to fast follow.
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Contents
Introduction 5
Conclusion 43
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Introduction
What does climate science tell us? Why is business action critical?
In November 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published There is an ever increasing gap between actual emissions reductions commitments
research3 warning of the devastating impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre- made by countries (Nationally Determined Contributions - NDCs) and those necessary
industrial levels on natural and human systems. The impacts include the loss of arctic ice to limit warming to 1.5°C. Based on current unconditional NDC pledges, the world is
sheets, sea level rise, warming oceans, biodiversity loss, increasingly severe extreme heading for a 2.8°C temperature rise4. In reality this number may be even higher as NDC
weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, storms, coastal and inland flooding, leading to implementation is uneven and patchy.
greater food insecurity, destruction of livelihoods and assets, and loss of life.
Whilst countries are expected to significantly raise their climate commitments in
At current emissions rates, human-induced warming is adding around 0.2°C to global 2020, we stand far away from the pace and scale of reductions needed to keep the
average temperatures every decade. If this rate continues unabated, global warming 1.5°C goal within reach. PwC’s Low Carbon Economy Index 20195 shows that global
could reach 1.5°C by as early as 2030. The science makes it clear that to have more than a progress on emissions reduction has worsened in recent years and the gap between the
50% chance of avoiding catastrophic climate breakdown, we must halve global greenhouse actual decarbonization rate (-1.6%) and that needed to keep warming to 1.5°C (-11.3%) is
gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 (from 2010 levels) and reach net zero global emissions around growing.
2050.
Companies have a pivotal role to play in closing this emissions gap. Their actions,
resources, ability to innovate, and wide-reach are critical to rapidly decarbonizing
Figure 1: Low Carbon Economy Index 2019: Transition pathways (Source: PwC)
industries, infrastructure, value chains, and what we produce and consume. Action over
the next decade - which equates to the next two business cycles - will be critical to make it
possible to limit warming to 1.5°C . Companies have a responsibility to drive this
transformation, and to protect their employees, customers, investors, and most critically,
the societies they serve.
What does net zero mean for business?
Net zero is a “state in which the activities within the value chain of a company result
in no net impact on the climate from greenhouse gas emissions”.
A credible net zero strategy means eliminating sources of emissions in the value chain at a
pace and scale consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C as far as possible, and after
this point removing any residual emissions that remain unfeasible to eliminate through
permanent carbon dioxide removals. It is recommended that all interventions adhere to
strict social and environmental safeguards, and those with strong social and
environmental co-benefits are prioritized. A foundational guide for the science-based
assessment of corporate net zero targets has been provided by the Science Based Targets
Initiative (SBTi)6.
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Introduction (continued)
The moment in time
Today as the world grapples with COVID-19, we are experiencing a global crisis that The recent surge in corporate net zero commitments is a vital and promising
knows no borders, has impacted billions of lives, and has left no organization or development, but there is still much more to do. Out of the close to 300 companies with
economy untouched. It’s shown how systemic risks can have exponential repercussions — public net zero pledges today, many commitments remain vague in how value chain emissions
on human health and loss of life, business and supply chain performance and survival, will be tackled, and in particular downstream emissions from products, services and
employment, inequality and the global economic outlook. The immense scale and diversity investments. These are the largest sources of emissions for most companies (referred to as
of the challenges sound very familiar to those who have long championed urgent action to Scope 3 emissions) and failure to address these emissions will result in failure to achieve a net
heed the science and avert catastrophic climate change. zero economy. Furthermore, companies are still at the very early stages of embedding net zero
into business and supply chain strategy and transformation efforts. As net zero requires full
The difference with climate change is we know what the costs will be if we don’t act value chain transformation, companies cannot act alone and success will be dependent on a
now. We know the costs are rising, and will continue to rise exponentially with every common and accelerated path forward.
fraction of increased global warming. Current estimates suggest global losses from climate
change could total US$600 trillion7 by the end of the century. Resetting and reconfiguring for the future
The good news is the tide on climate action is beginning to turn. Governments and Critically, the end goal is not just net zero, but a thriving, socially just, net zero future.
jurisdictions are ratcheting policies and regulation to support decarbonization in line with Marginalised groups and low-income communities often bear the greatest impacts of climate
bolder climate targets. Investors increasingly recognize the implications on investment change and there will be transitional implications for workers, sectors, communities and
performance and value creation and destruction: over US$45 trillion assets under regions that will need to be managed.
management (AUM)8 - close to half of total AUM9 - is held by investors that have pledged to
Companies must help enable the conditions needed to achieve effective, just and sustainable
drive climate action. And close to 300 global companies have now made so-called “net-zero
climate solutions for people of all gender, race and skills. Examples include proactively driving
before 2050” pledges since 2019, spurred by pressure from investors, customers, consumers
inclusivity and social impact of new net zero products and solutions, upskilling and reskilling to
and employees alike. There is an increasing recognition that many levers to cut operational
enable an inclusive workforce transition, upskilling and broader support for SME partners and
emissions present a good return, and that industries will together need to solve some of the
suppliers, integration of social metrics into reporting and disclosure around net zero, and
technological innovation challenges for harder to abate emissions.
incorporating inclusion and a “just transition” into policy advocacy efforts.
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To deliver on their net zero commitments, companies will need to undertake end-to-end
business transformation. This includes understanding the implications of net zero for a
company’s growth strategy and operating model, and embedding net zero across all
business functions from governance, to supply chains, to finance and innovation.
To support companies on their net zero journeys, PwC has defined nine key building blocks for corporate net zero
transformation. This ‘blueprint’ seeks to help companies move from ambition to implementation. For each building
block, this report:
● Defines the checklist of critical actions companies need to undertake to transform to net zero;
● Explains why these actions are important; and
● Provides practical and actionable guidance for companies to follow.
The report also includes case studies from ‘Transform to Net Zero’ founding members, which are intended to help bring
the guidance to life and share successes, lessons learnt and future plans and roadmaps.
The building blocks, and checklists, include actions and suggestions that even today’s most leading companies on
climate action may only just be embedding, or even considering. It is intended as a forward-looking framework to guide
the net zero transformation journey rather than steps that are expected to be in place from Day 1.
Figure 2: Building Blocks for Corporate Net Zero Transformation (Source: PwC)
Align organization around net zero Enable business transformation Bring others along
1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9|
Ambition Governance Strategy Enterprise Supply Chains Innovation Finance Transparency Engagement
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Enterprise transformation: Key operating Supply chains: Transformed net zero supply Innovation: Developed innovation and
4 model changes in support of transformation 5 chain 6 technologies to deliver net zero
Company is structured to Checklist of key actions: Net zero integrated across Checklist of key actions: Company invests in R&D Checklist of key actions:
achieve net zero with the ✓ Establish clear structure of the whole supply chain to ✓ Leverage existing supply chain and builds innovation into ✓ Ensure net zero is embedded in
operating model designed responsibilities and accountabilities to build a well connected, transformation efforts to deliver ways of working to corporate R&D and innovation
to deliver net zero targets. deliver net zero smart, efficient and low emissions reductions harness emerging ✓ Provide finance to develop innovative
A holistic change ✓ Harness culture and people carbon supply chain ✓ Assess emissions and climate impacts technologies and develop net zero solutions
management program is ✓ Establish policies, processes and a ecosystem. Includes across whole supply chain new solutions to deliver ✓ Innovate to develop products and
designed and executed measurement framework to deliver net adapting supply chain ✓ Incentivize suppliers to reduce net zero at pace. Net zero services that deliver net zero
where required. zero transformation strategy, aligning with emissions is embedded in to ✓ Leverage Corporate Innovation to
✓ Engage customers existing transformation ✓ Build supplier capacity to deliver net innovation/R&D strategy, unlock internal barriers to net zero
✓ Leverage technology and digitisation efforts, and supporting the zero in to product and service transformation
program supply chain to ✓ Build a connected and smart supply development, and ✓ Build innovation ecosystem through
decarbonize chain ecosystem amongst suppliers corporate ventures. partnerships
Finance: Financing the net zero transformation Transparency: Communicating action Engagement and influence: Enhancing the
7 8 9 pace and scale of net zero action
Substantial commitment Checklist of key actions: Provides transparent and Checklist of key actions: Engages and influences Checklist of key actions:
and willingness to finance ✓ Develop investment strategy balanced information on ✓ Communicate your net zero strategy stakeholders across ✓ Develop engagement strategy
net zero transformation ✓ Embed into corporate finance decision- progress against net zero ✓ Disclose progress against your net zero ecosystems to enable ✓ Inspire and lead by example
through existing and new making ambition, including strategy change at pace and scale. ✓ Influence value chain
finance functions and ✓ Identify and prioritize sources of business transformation. ✓ Disclose with clarity and transparency ✓ Promote policies and behaviors that
modalities. financing enable and accelerate progress
✓ Deliver investment
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A credible and leading net zero ambition should align to the achievement of global net
zero emissions by no later than 2050, consider the whole value chain, and be supported by
a science-based targets approach.
Prioritize actions to deliver your net zero commitment by: gathering information
to identify GHG emission reduction levers across the value chain; assessing the GHG
reductions impact, costs and return on investment, feasibility, risks and
opportunities to prioritize GHG reduction levers.
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Wipro Mercedes-Benz AG
Wipro has set and registered a science-based target for its own With Ambition 2039, Mercedes-Benz plans to bring its new car
operations that is consistent with reductions required to keep fleet to net zero CO2 within less than 20 years, going beyond
warming to well-below 2C. The target includes absolute operations and along the entire value chain. In 2019, the
reductions in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions of 48% by 2030 and Sciences-Based Targets initiative approved the company’s
in Scope 3 GHG emissions (business travel, employee targets. Starting in 2022, passenger cars and vans will be
commuting, upstream fuel and energy-related emissions) of
30% by 2030.
Ambition produced CO2-neutrally in the more than 30 plants of Mercedes-
Benz AG worldwide.
Unilever Microsoft
Unilever has attained the most advanced status within the SBTi, Microsoft plans to be carbon negative by 2030 and to remove its
having set and registered a 1.5 degree-aligned science-based historic scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2050. It will achieve
target of net zero emissions across all products by 2039, from the latter part of this target through a strategy that goes beyond
sourcing to point of sale. Unilever annually calculates its value achieving carbon neutrality through avoided emissions, to focus
chain-wide GHG footprint for 14 key countries across 12 product on carbon removals.
categories.
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Strong governance is critical to ensure accountability for net zero is driven throughout the
organization, starting from the top. Frameworks should be in place to enable decision-
making on the basis of meeting long-term net zero ambition.
Establish net zero and climate change as standing agenda items at the executive
level by: structuring senior committees to ensure holistic oversight of net zero;
assessing senior leaders’ command of climate change and net zero in relation to the
company’s strategy and operating model.
Evaluate net zero incentives structure, including at the highest levels of the
company by: re-evaluating any existing incentives that may hinder progress on net
zero transformation, and considering creating incentives to support management to
deliver on net zero milestones and targets.
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Net zero is a strategic issue that is critical to companies determining how to grow
profitably and maximize value and resilience. It requires an understanding of the
associated transition risks and opportunities in the next 1-2 business cycles and beyond,
how to minimize value destruction and unlock value creation, what this means for the size
and shape of the business portfolio and organic versus inorganic growth, and how to
translate this into strategic business planning.
Identify options to deliver capabilities driven net zero corporate strategy by:
assessing changes to portfolio, customer offering, growth levers and pricing and asset
valuation.
Assess options and develop a business case for net zero corporate strategy by:
quantifying key drivers for action, cost and benefit assessment including value
creation, return on investment and holistic criteria including wider business,
environmental and social impact.
Reshape and/or align operating model blueprint to deliver net zero strategy and
capabilities by: blueprinting operating model and developing an implementation
roadmap.
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A transformation program is needed to execute the strategy and embed net zero into
corporate structure, business functions, and business capabilities. This change effort will
include realizing quick wins and, in parallel, work on longer-term operating model changes
to deliver on the strategy.
Engage customers and harness customer channels to accelerate net zero value
creation by: executing on sales strategies and goals for net zero-relevant products and
service lines; integrating net zero into marketing campaigns; building net zero
considerations into regular customer engagement and support.
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Who is responsible for delivering Enterprise for Net Zero: Head of Transformation/
Transformation Director, Operations and Functional Leads - CEO sponsorship Microsoft | PwC 20
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Who is responsible for delivering Enterprise for Net Zero: Head of Transformation/
Transformation Director, Operations and Functional Leads - CEO sponsorship Microsoft | PwC 21
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“
An emission-free fleet of vehicles: With this vision, we are committed to climate As early as 2022, our own Mercedes-Benz car and van plants worldwide will
protection and air pollution control. That is a core element of our sustainable be producing CO2-neutral vehicles. This applies to more than 30 car and van
At Mercedes-Benz, individual business strategy. Our ambition is to make our fleet of new cars CO2-neutral plants. An important element is battery production, which will also be CO2-
by 2039 and to have no relevant impact on inner-city air quality. We take a neutral worldwide as of 2022. The second battery plant in Kamenz, which
mobility is the purpose of our holistic approach to climate protection: Our goals cover all stages of the was opened in 2018 and is the center of competence of the Mercedes-Benz
work and the legacy of our automotive value chain – from technical development to the extraction of raw global battery production network, was designed from the outset to be a
founding fathers. Our mission materials, to production, service life and recycling. CO2-neutral plant and already meets this requirement today. The Kamenz
site is responsible for the production of battery systems for Mercedes-Benz
for the future is to preserve this In the coming two decades, we at Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans will Cars hybrid, plug-in-hybrid and battery-electric vehicles.
asset – and we will change in fundamentally change our product portfolio. Our path toward zero
emissions includes electric vehicles, further efficiency improvements At the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen, we have put into operation one
order to achieve this. A lane through hybridization, and the further development of our vehicles with of the most modern automobile production facilities in the world: Factory56.
change is necessary. We know state-of-the-art internal combustion engines. It has been supplied with CO2-neutral energy since it went into operation.
that and we are working on it The photovoltaic system on the roof supplies the building with green
Mercedes-Benz Cars is planning electrification in all segments, from the electricity.
with all our efforts. This lane smart to our SUVs. To this end, we are investing about ten billion euros in the
expansion of our electric fleet, more than one billion euros in the Our suppliers are also part of our holistic approach to climate protection. We
change is mainly connected want to implement effective climate protection measures together with our
development of battery production, and we are systematically driving
with two issues: forward the transformation to the electric future of our company by partners in the supply chain. The starting point is the creation of
decarbonization and purchasing battery cells for more than 20 billion euros. transparency. To this end, we are working with organizations such as CDP in
the car sector to assess the environmental impact of our supply chain. We
digitization. Success with In the car segment, we will focus in the coming years especially on plug-in- are in close contact with our most CO2-intensive suppliers to identify
digitization will determine the hybrid technology and purely battery-powered models. Five all-electric effective measures for reductions. We will make CO2 targets a key criterion
models and more than 20 model variants of plug-in hybrids will already be
future of many companies; firmly established in our car product range by the end of this year. Purely
for decisions on suppliers. The first models of the next EQ generation,
starting with the EQS, will already be equipped with CO2-neutral battery
success with decarbonization electric variants in the compact segment and the all-electric EQS for cells.
will determine the future of our sustainable luxury in the premium segment are already in the starting
blocks. ● Farasis: In September 2019, we entered into a sustainability partnership
planet. with battery-cell supplier Farasis Energy (Ganzhou) Co., Ltd. – a Chinese
Our milestones until 2039: developer and supplier of lithium-ion battery technologies. In addition to
the observance of human rights in the supply chain and the issue of
Ola Källenius ● 2022: Several electrified variants in all segments of Mercedes-Benz Cars. recycling, the partnership also covers battery-cell procurement from
● 2025: Up to 25 percent of unit sales to be accounted for by all-electric CO2-neutral production.
Chairman of the Board of
vehicles (depending on the framework conditions).
Management of Daimler AG and ● 2030: Achieving more than 50 percent of car unit sales with plug-in ● CATL: Within the framework of the strategic partnership, CATL is also
Mercedes-Benz AG hybrids or all-electric vehicles. fully committed to the sustainability goals of Mercedes-Benz AG. This
● 2039: A CO2-neutral fleet of new cars. includes the sustainable production of battery products with renewable
energies, minimizing the CO2 footprint in terms of logistics within the
entire supply chain, and consideration of all aspects of social
responsibility.
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Supply chain emissions are often a major, if not the major, source of a company’s GHG
emissions. Enabling and supporting emissions reductions at all levels of supply chain is
critical to achieving net zero transformation. Existing supply chain transformation efforts,
including digital transformation and programs driven by resilience or efficiency, can
deliver dual benefits of optimizing for decarbonization. A critical element will be the
evolution of traditional supply chains toward a connected, smart, and highly efficient
supply chain ecosystem.
This section is Checklist of key actions:
important for:
Leverage existing supply chain transformation efforts to deliver emissions
Head of Supply Chain, reductions: reviewing supply chain strategy and design, embedding net zero into
Head of procurement, existing and future digitization, and developing and delivering a strategic roadmap.
Sourcing Managers &
Directors, Procurement Assess emissions and climate impacts across whole supply chain by: conducting a
function, Sustainability value chain GHG footprint assessment, supplementing company data with
function. environmental modelling techniques, and repeating foot printing annually.
Build supplier capabilities to deliver net zero by: engaging in partnerships, training
and programs. Collaborate with peers who share supplier base to scale impact.
Build a connected and smart supply chain ecosystem amongst suppliers by:
mapping key suppliers against net zero commitments, adopting collaborative
practices, applying agile methodologies to test and scale supplier solutions and
conducting scenario analysis on supply chain.
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opportunities to reduce emissions, soil health is a cornerstone of
As a multi-local food and beverage company, agriculture is at the the regenerative agriculture and our climate strategy. Key farming
heart of Danone’s business. 57% of Danone’s carbon emissions are practices such as cover crops, reduced tillage, crop rotations and
This Innovating with farming partners linked to agriculture, making it a key lever of reduction. With reducing energy intensive inputs such as herbicides, pesticides
58,000 farmers worldwide, our supply chain is a key component of and synthetic fertilizers not only build carbon stocks via soil
across our supply chain is critical to our strategy to find solutions to mitigate climate change. sequestration, but also can reduce other GHG emissions such as
Danone’s strategy to achieve net Danone conducted a full scope analysis from our direct business NO2 and methane emissions related to the overall management
operations all the way to our supply chains. This process allowed changes implemented by farms. By reducing the dependence of
zero emissions and build more synthetic inputs, we believe that farms can also increase their
us to establish a Science-Based Target with an intermediate goal
resilient regenerative agriculture of 50% reduction in emission intensity for full scope & 30% resilience and financial autonomy. Overall, regenerative farming
absolute reduction in scope 1 and 2 by 2030. We aim to be net zero systems can, over time, contribute significantly not only to a net
systems. Together, we look forward carbon by 2050. In 2019, we signed the “Business Ambition for zero GHG strategy but to the economic well-being of farms.
to scaling-up our progress through 1.5°C” commitment. Danone is experimenting with distinct farming networks across
creative solutions such as Our supply chain—most significantly farming partners—will be the world. In France, for example, Danone is using innovative
crucial to achieving these goals with over half of our overall GHG financing tools funded annually from one day of sales—
digitalization of complex farming footprint coming from agricultural systems. approximately € 5 million—to help farms overcome initial costs
associated with new management practices. Meanwhile, Danone
systems and new models of finance, Taking action in our supply chain invested $6 million to create a soil health platform in the U.S.
both efforts which we intend to By creating new ways of doing business, Danone has built direct
which benchmarks farms with a data-centric process and creates
continuous improvement plans to support farms in their journey
enhance with our participation in relationships and partnerships with farms in key supply chains to identify opportunities both within cropland and dairy systems.
such as dairy, often using long-term contracts to reduce risk and
Transform to Net Zero. market volatility for both the farms and the company. These long-
Danone is also implementing a variety of financial incentives and
blended financing approaches for farms; including direct
term relationships create a different business culture and assist contractual incentives, leveraging government programs, and
with investments in regenerative farming practices. creating access to low interest loans.
Danone defines regenerative agriculture across three pillars—soil Danone intends to continue to build quantitative proof points with
health, animal welfare and developing the next generation of farming partners of all sizes and types, to measure not just positive
farmers—as it invests in its agricultural supply chains. climate impact, but also assist farms who want to create a new
Regenerative farming, for example, looks beyond just minimizing economic models of food systems. Through these new
Eric Soubeiran harm by way of actual restoration of the soil. We also believe a foundations, we can fully transition our supply chains to
CEO of the Danone Ecosystem Fund, Vice President high level of animal welfare is key to the regeneration of farms and regenerative farming.
results in improved economic sustainability, performance and
for Nature and Water Cycle, Danone competitiveness. Finally, because farmers understand their
operations best, our goal as a partner is to help them succeed so
that they can pass their business on to the next generation.
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have higher productivity than the country averages. Suppliers are
Starbucks mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit extends also incentivized financially as they are paid premiums for high-
well beyond its customers, partners and cafes. The company takes quality coffee that is verified as ethically sourced by C.A.F.E.
pride in conducting business responsibly and supporting Practice standards. Through the program Starbucks also provides
At Starbucks, we are deeply rooted in our
communities where they do business, from bean to cup. As a financial incentives to reward those supply chains that show
mission to inspire and nurture the human company that buys approximately four percent of the world’s continuous improvement across C.A.F.E. Practices.
spirit. At the core of this is coffee. We are coffee, sourced from more than 400,000 farmers in 30 countries,
we understand the importance of ensuring a sustainable future of Not only has C.A.F.E. Practices helped us create a long-term supply
committed to sourcing coffee responsibly, coffee for all. of high-quality coffee while positively impacting the lives and
livelihoods of coffee farmers and their communities, but it has also
for the betterment of people and planet, Since 2015, Starbucks coffee has been verified as 99 percent delivered measurable results in reducing the companies’ carbon
while we also work to empower farmers, ethically sourced. The cornerstone of our ethical sourcing footprint. According to Starbucks 2018 Environmental Footprint
approach to buying coffee is Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Report developed in partnership with Quantis and World Wildlife
improve their livelihoods and positively Practices, which was one of the coffee industry’s first set of ethical Fund, C.A.F.E. Practices increases in yield per hectare on coffee
impact their communities, thus ensuring a sourcing standards when it launched in 2004. Developed in farms and its zero-deforestation policy reduces Starbucks carbon
collaboration with Conservation International, C.A.F.E. Practices is footprint for coffee by 50%, resulting in a 10% reduction in
sustainable future of coffee for all. Our a third-party verification program that assesses farmer adoption Starbucks overall carbon footprint. By implementing these
ethical sourcing standards, called C.A.F.E. of economic, social and environmental criteria, that if followed, standards, the company has halved what our coffee’s carbon
help sustain and strengthen communities that grow coffee while footprint would have been otherwise.
Practices, has provided a strong foundation maintaining Starbucks high-quality standards, now and into the
toward our company-wide aspiration to be future. C.A.F.E. Practices has built a solid foundation for Starbucks long
term aspiration to be resource positive. Future work is focused on
resource positive. We look forward to The open-sourced program consists of a scorecard with more than going further to reduce our carbon footprint in coffee by
sharing our learnings and working with 200 indicators which are used to evaluate a coffee supply chain’s developing on-farm solutions that equip farmers to succeed
performance. In the area of environmental leadership, it includes during challenges like climate change and helping to spark
others as part of Transform to Net Zero to indicators addressing energy conservation, climate change, solutions for the industry at large.
further our mutual goals of a more conservation area management, water protection, surface erosion
and soil management, amongst many others. In addition, there is
sustainable future. zero tolerance for conversion of natural forest to agricultural
production since 2004.
Michelle Burns
SVP Global Coffee, Tea and Cocoa, Starbucks
Coffee Company
Microsoft | PwC 27
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Achieving net zero will require the deployment of existing low-carbon technologies at
scale, and developing and adopting innovative new solutions and processes, many of
which are at R&D or other early stages of demonstration and commercialization.
Companies need to invest heavily and build innovation into their ways of working to
harness emerging solutions, including new technologies, at pace.
Innovate to develop products and services that deliver your business objectives
for net zero by: incentivizing net zero across the product development lifecycle.
Build an innovation ecosystem for net zero through partnerships by: actively
monitoring and engaging in partnerships with relevant start-ups and research, and
driving industry and cross industry corporate partnerships.
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Who is responsible for delivering Innovation for Net Zero: Heads of Innovation, Innovation
Managers, Product Developers and Product Owners. Microsoft | PwC 29
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Who is responsible for delivering Innovation for Net Zero: Heads of Innovation, Innovation
Managers, Product Developers and Product Owners. Microsoft | PwC 30
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emissions from this alone.
Innovation is essential to enable the transition to a low-carbon
economy – and opening up the business opportunities this will Carbon Rainbow powered innovations
The transformation to Net Zero bring.
Central to this commitment is our ‘Carbon Rainbow’, an approach
requires innovation at every point We’re drawing on our expertise in innovation and R&D to bring to diversify the carbon used in our cleaning and laundry product
people everyday products that have lower climate impacts – when formulations. Non-renewable fossil sources of carbon (identified in
Unilever’s value chain – from the way they’re made and when they’re used. the Carbon Rainbow as black carbon) will be replaced using
captured CO2 (purple carbon), plants and biological sources (green
we source materials and operate Sustainable innovation and design are also vital to the growth of
carbon), marine sources such as algae (blue carbon), and carbon
our business. The latest “Who Cares, Who Does” report by
factories, to the way design products Kantar/GFK indicates that 67% of consumers surveyed across the
recovered from waste materials (grey carbon). This transformation
through the Carbon rainbow will take time but we have already
and deliver them to the consumer, world are actively trying to buy products produced in an
put it in action through some innovations:
environmentally friendly way.
and even the way they are used in Purple carbon: New technologies, like carbon capture, offer huge
the home. Our responsibility as Eliminating fossil fuels from cleaning products potential as a source of renewable or recycled carbon for
We apply a lifecycle approach to our products to identify where the ingredient production. Soda ash is a key ingredient in laundry
business leaders is to drive that biggest impacts lie and help us understand how we can reduce detergents due to its ability to help cut through grease and soften
innovation and radical thinking in a them. The lifecycle analysis shows the need to have different water. We are partnering with Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals (TAC) in
approach to reducing carbon across the various divisions of southern India and Carbon Clean Solutions (CCSL). They have
way that can open up new Unilever. developed technologies to capture the CO2 from their use of
opportunities for zero-carbon growth energy in their production processes and turn it into soda ash.
In our Home Care business, the chemicals used in our cleaning
with products and services that meet and laundry products make up the greatest proportion of their Green Carbon: When it comes to surfactants – the compounds
carbon footprint (46%) across their lifecycle. Most cleaning and that create foam and allow cleaning products to work by breaking
the needs of today’s and future laundry products available today contain chemicals made from down oil, grease and soil – there are few sustainable alternatives
out there. But we’ve made a breakthrough with one of the world’s
generations. fossil fuel feedstocks, a non-renewable source of carbon.
leading biotechnology companies – Evonik Industries. They’re
On September 2nd 2020, Unilever announced that it will eliminate producing Rhamnolipids – a biosurfactant made from naturally
100% of the carbon derived from fossil fuels in its cleaning and occurring fermentation and which is 100% biodegradable and
laundry product formulations and replace it with renewable or renewable. It gives superior cleaning performance and mildness
recycled carbon by 2030. This move to renewable or recycled on skin. We are working towards building large-scale production of
sources of carbon for these chemicals is a deliberate shift away this ingredient, and it’s already in some of our dishwashing
Marc Engel from the fossil fuel economy. It is an important step towards the products in Chile and Vietnam.
Chief Supply Chain Officer, Unilever company’s pledge of net zero emissions from its products by 2039.
Indeed, by using renewable and recycled carbon in our cleaning
and laundry product formulations, we are reducing the extraction
of fossil fuels that would otherwise add to the atmospheric carbon
burden through ingredient biodegradation. We are expecting a
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The shipping industry contributes 2–3% of the world’s greenhouse In addition to biofuel, Maersk is also looking into other possible
gas emissions. Maersk has had a strong focus on climate change lower emission sources such as alcohol. Because of the long asset
and energy efficiency for many years, achieving close to 42% lifecycle of container vessels, to reach the 2050 ambition there
We have begun a journey towards reductions in relative emissions in 2019 compared to a 2008 must be a commercially viable net-zero vessel at sea already by
having net-zero CO2 emissions from baseline. But improving efficiency is not enough. 2030. Our R&D strategy includes the following milestones:
our own operations by 2050. This is In 2018, we committed to achieve net zero emissions from our own 2020-23: Explore and invest in the most likely future fuels
operations by 2050. The roadmap to deliver on this ambition
an important ambition and one we covers three broad workstreams, technology development,
2023-27: Vessel design, supply chain pilots
can only deliver on in collaboration market acceleration, and policy engagement, to develop the 2027-30: First vessels in production
carbon-neutral fuels for container shipping that do not exist today,
with many other stakeholders. and at the same time to support market demand and the 2030: First carbon-neutral vessel in business viable operation
regulatory framework to incentivize the use of carbon neutral 2030-50: Change fleet to carbon-neutral vessels
fuels.
The main challenge is not at sea but on land. The technological
changes inside the vessels are minor compared to the massive
innovative solutions and fuel transformation that must take place
in the fuel supply chains to produce and distribute entirely new
energy sources. To make this happen, we are working in coalitions
across sectors and partners including customers, technology
developers, researchers, investors, and industry peers, for
example the Getting to Zero Coalition and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney
Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.
We are seeing growing customer interest in low- or zero-carbon
container transportation, and at least 60 of our 100 most
important customers have set ambitious carbon emission
reduction targets for the next decades. Some of Maersk’s largest
customers are taking part in the innovation projects and pilots to
test the future fuels. In spring 2019, a pilot with second-generation
biofuel was successfully completed. Following that, we launched
Søren Skou the first carbon-neutral ocean shipping product, Maersk ECO
Delivery, to our customers.
CEO, A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S
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positive impact on our planet. As creators it’s our obligation to
consider how we source, make, use, return and then reimagine the
products we design.
When it comes to protecting the Our sustainable design ethos is to design products with better
playing field we share—our planet— materials, made with fewer resources and assembled with the end
in mind. We believe sustainable technologies can help unlock new,
there isn’t a moment to lose. That’s fresh perspectives and create products that have a lighter
why we’re coming together as global environmental impact.
leaders to create climate action In 2020, Nike introduced a footwear collection made from our
“space junk,”- scrap material from factory floors - and transformed
solutions. If we act now, and work it into a radical design, with circularity as the core inspiration.
Every detail of the Nike Space Hippie footwear capsule collection,
together, we can drive meaningful from material choices to methods of make to packaging, was
progress toward a more sustainable chosen with consideration for its environmental impact, adding up
to the lowest carbon footprint score for Nike footwear.
future. We’ll be relentless in our
The concept began in 2017 when new research allowed Nike to
pursuit to help ensure a healthy pinpoint CO2e emissions of individual materials and
planet for generations of athletes to manufacturing processes in putting together a shoe.
come. Space Hippie Flyknit yarns include at least 85% rPoly – made from
recycled plastic water bottles, t-shirt and yarn scraps – creating
engineered knit uppers with an expressive sustainable aesthetic.
Each of Space Hippie’s four silhouettes provide a unique fit option
— traditional laces, lace-less and Flyease — for the lifestyle of
people on-the-go. Crater Foam tooling uses 15% Nike Grind rubber
and is combined with 100% recycled ZoomX foam scraps for a
more sustainable, lightweight and responsive feel during city
exploration.
Andy Campion
Chief Operating Officer, NIKE, Inc.
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Business transformation for net zero requires investment across several building blocks
and on a scale commensurate with investment in other strategic corporate priorities. It
also requires embedding net zero value creation and erosion considerations across all
corporate finance functions including operations, financial planning, business strategy &
development, facilities, corporate venture investing, and treasury. The net zero corporate
investment strategy should ensure alignment and complementarity across priorities
required to deliver business transformation.
Identify and prioritize financing mechanisms and sources by: evaluating internal
revenue raising and external financial options for financing net zero related
transformation efforts.
Embed net zero into corporate venture capital and corporate accelerators/
incubators by: setting net zero as a strategic investment area for corporate venture
and start-up investment.
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Who is responsible for delivering Finance for Net Zero: CFO,COO, CIO, Head of Corporate Finance, Head of Venture
Capital, Finance Managers Microsoft | PwC 35
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has funded the development and deployment of new innovations developed and need capital to scale in the market. We aim to
in energy efficiency technologies and strategies, the purchase of make investments that will accelerate existing climate solutions
renewable energy and carbon removal credits, and programs such and create new technologies. We’ll invest directly in companies as
We’re making investments in climate as AI for Earth. well as investment funds, to scale new innovative solutions in the
technologies because the best available market, to demonstrate the viability of new technologies, and to
Currently this fee is $15/metric ton and covers all scope 1, 2 and 3
science says that we must, but also because of partner with other investors to meet the world’s climate
emissions. We charge a lower price per ton for scope 3 and we will
objectives. An investment will be prioritized if it ensures
incredible customer demand for these digital phase in increases over time until all our scope 1, 2, and 3
developing economies and underserved communities will benefit
solutions. Through our targeted investments in emissions are charged the same rate. This will both increase
from the climate solution.
incentives across the company to reduce all scope 3 emissions and
innovation via our Climate Innovation Fund, we
fund the added work to reduce our own scope 3 emissions and Microsoft has already begun making investments to advance our
aim to ensure that the capital that we put out is invest in carbon removal activities. sustainability objectives. In July, we announced a $50 million
as additional as possible, drives climate equity investment in Energy Impact Partners’ (EIP) global platform for
Solving our planet’s carbon issues will require companies and
and puts us closer to a net zero future. innovation of new technologies to transform the world’s energy
governments not only to reduce their own operational footprints,
and transportation systems, the two sectors that account for the
but to invest in innovation in the broader market to deliver the
Dr. Lucas Joppa majority of greenhouse gas emissions. We followed that with a $30
necessary carbon reduction and removal solutions. That’s why a
million investment in Closed Loop Partners’ funds, announced in
Chief Environmental Officer, Microsoft significant part of our endeavor involves putting Microsoft’s
August, to help accelerate the infrastructure, innovation and
balance sheet to work to stimulate and accelerate the
business models for supply chain digitization, e-waste collection,
development of sustainability technologies such as carbon
food waste reduction, and recycling industry products to build a
removal. Our Climate Innovation Fund will invest $1 billion over
more circular economy at scale . In September, we announced a
While the world will need to reach net zero carbon, those who can the next four years into new technologies and innovative market
$10 million investment in Emerald Technology Ventures’ Global
afford to move faster and go further should do so. That is why solutions. We understand that this is just a fraction of the
Water Impact Fund, a collaborative venture capital initiative to
earlier this year, Microsoft announced its intent to become carbon investment needed, but our hope is that it spurs more
support sustainable innovation in the water sector. Taken
negative by 2030. In addition, Microsoft committed that by 2050, it governments and companies to invest in new ways as well.
together, these early partnerships signal our commitment to three
will remove from the environment all the carbon the company has key pillars of Microsoft’s sustainability strategy – carbon, waste,
We will primarily deploy this capital in two areas: (1) to accelerate
emitted either directly or by electrical consumption since it was and water.
ongoing technology development by investing in project and debt
founded in 1975.
finance; and (2) to invest in new innovations through equity and
It’s clear that progress and innovation across all of these pillars will
This kind of transformation requires not only bold goals and debt capital.
be needed to mitigate the climate challenge at Microsoft and
organizational commitment, it will require new financing models around the world. In particular, through intensive and directed
We’ll focus our funding on investments primarily based on four
inside the company to accelerate progress as well as the investment, we believe the price of carbon reduction and removal
criteria: (1) strategies that have the prospect of driving meaningful
deployment of capital to accelerate innovation outside our four technologies can be reduced while maturing the market. We’re
decarbonization, climate resilience, or other sustainability impact;
walls as well. making a bet on certain technologies that don’t exist at the scale
(2) additional market impact in accelerating current and potential
Microsoft has utilized an internal carbon fee since 2012. Unlike solutions; (3) relevance to Microsoft and our customers in or price point we need them. If we want to get them, we need to
some other companies, our internal carbon fee isn’t a “shadow delivering technologies we can use to address our current and start investing. This is how innovative financing can help deliver
fee” that is calculated but not charged. Our fee is charged to each future emissions; and (4) consideration of climate equity, including both nature-based and engineered solutions at a price point and
division in our business based on its carbon emissions, and the for developing economies. scale we need.
funds are used to pay for sustainability improvements, with the
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Companies will need to provide transparent and balanced reporting on progress against
net zero ambition, including pace of business transformation, implementation of strategy,
and progress against KPIs including actual emissions reductions achieved. This promotes
accountability for transformation, drives progress and informs relevant stakeholders,
including investors, enabling them to accurately price risk.
This section is Checklist of key actions:
important for:
Heads of Communicate your net zero strategy and what it means for the future of the
business by: disclosing how net zero is embedded into business strategy and
Communication, Public transformation in, for example, annual financial reports / 10-K filings, considering the
Affairs & Corporate recommendations of the FSB TCFD.
reporting, Sustainability
& CSR managers.
Disclose progress against net zero strategy by: defining and reporting on net zero
KPIs, calculating and disclosing societal and environmental impacts, reporting on net
zero incentives.
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Who is responsible for delivering Net Zero Transparency and Accountability: Heads of
Communication, Public Affairs & Corporate Reporting; Sustainability / CSR managers. Microsoft | PwC 38
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Mercedes-Benz AG Microsoft
In our sustainable business strategy, we have set ourselves the overall goal of making the IReal progress requires real transparency. Microsoft has long been committed to transparency on
mobility of the future carbon-neutral. To measure our effectiveness we’ve established a climate and carbon performance, reporting on climate performance to CDP and on our CSR reports for
sustainability KPI system. nearly a decade.
Within the context of our “Ambition 2039” and our strong commitment to the Paris Agreement Microsoft embraces transparency on its performance. Reporting on progress – as well as challenges – is
on climate protection, we combine both internal and external performance reviews in our a responsibility Microsoft has to its shareholders and employees, and is also an opportunity to make it
management approach. In line with this approach, we derive measures for ensuring that we easier for others to find their way from ambition to action more easily and efficiently. Given its more
reach our goals and assess our implementation of these measures. Each unit conducts internal ambitious carbon goals announced this year, to become carbon negative, this reporting is even more
reviews in its area of responsibility at short intervals throughout the year. The external review important. As such, Microsoft will now deliver a Sustainability Report annually.
consists of an annual audit of a selection of our corporate goals and our attainment of them
that is conducted by an auditing company. In addition, the Science Based Targets Initiative In addition, Microsoft is practicing transparency in disclosing its roadmap, and incremental steps along
(SBTI) monitors and confirms the conformity of our path toward goal attainment with the Paris the way. A key example is the issuance of a new request for proposal to source carbon removal
Agreement on climate protection. solutions that are net negative and verified to a high degree of scientific integrity. To ensure that our
funding will maximize carbon being taken out of the atmosphere, we are doubling down on scientific
Not only does our annual Sustainability Report outline our strategic goals and measures, it also verification of each project, and using this RFP to harvest and share best available science and market
documents current actuals. Starting with the report 2019 we are including a reference table for intelligence on carbon removal. Microsoft has committed to publicly sharing the learnings from this
the TCFD disclosure. For climate-related activities and the related performances, we also process to accelerate carbon removal efforts of others.
disclose via CDP Climate Change questionnaire.
This transparency carries through to products. Microsoft introduced a new feature, the Microsoft
As far as individual vehicles are concerned, we publish a “360° Environmental Check” in which Sustainability Calculator. It provides Azure cloud customers transparency into their total carbon
we summarize the results of the life cycle assessment in material resources, energy emissions – Scopes 1, 2 and 3 – resulting from their cloud usage.
consumption and CO2 emission.
In addition, Microsoft committed to playing a role in accelerating greater transparency beyond its four
In the environmental workshop at our annual Daimler Sustainability Dialogue, we conduct in- walls. It stated it will support strong industry-wide standards for transparency and reporting on carbon
depth discussions with environmental institutes and NGOs. Throughout the year, there are emissions and removal and apply these to itself. To that end, Microsoft has a certified Science Based
numerous discussions and direct exchanges with our Board of Management on the subject of Target and is also a signatory to the United Nations’ 1.5-degree Business Ambition Pledge.
climate protection. In addition, the feedback we continually receive from government and the
public lets us know how the sustainability goals we have set for ourselves are being perceived
and evaluated.
The attainment of our fleet’s CO2 emission targets in EU has already been a component of the
remuneration of our Board of Management for years now. In 2020 we will further differentiate
this system and expand it to involve the entire senior management structure, from the
department heads on up. We expect this process to motivate everyone involved even more
strongly to reach the sustainability goals we have set for ourselves.
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Companies will need to engage and influence stakeholders across a variety of ecosystems
to deliver emissions reductions at pace and scale, and create the enabling conditions for
an accelerated transition. Leading companies also have an important role to play in
inspiring and spurring greater action through demonstration, cooperation, collaboration
and sharing of information with key stakeholders.
Influence value chain partners and customers by: listening to customer and
partner experiences; educating customers about their impact; collaborating with
upstream and downstream partners to deliver systems change.
Use influence to promote policies that enable and accelerate progress by:
advocating for net-zero aligned policies including a focus on actions that help enable
the conditions needed to achieve effective, just, and sustainable climate solutions for
people of all gender, race, or skills; engaging with civil society and NGOs; using brand
communications and marketing campaigns to encourage customers and consumers
to reduce emissions.
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Engagement and influence: Enhancing the pace and scale of net zero action
✔Develop a net zero-aligned stakeholder engagement To lead by example, it is critical for companies to demonstrate progress
Practical advice for:
strategy through consistent and absolute reductions beyond scope 1 and 2
emissions, company wide and by geography, business unit, and product Companies just starting their net zero
Net zero requires collaboration across all stakeholder ecosystems. It is and services.
important that shareholders and investors are ‘bought in’ to support
journey:
transformation efforts; and that customers, NGOs and civil society trust ✔Influence value chain partners and customers Start by defining your ecosystem. Who are
companies’ commitments to transformation else run the risk of reputational In many sectors, the most material emissions are in product use and end of your key stakeholders? What does net zero
damage and greenwash. product life. Engaging, educating and supporting customers to change mean to, and imply for, each stakeholder
Companies should assess the landscape to identify critical stakeholders behaviors; and working extensively across value chain partnerships is crucial constituency? What are your stakeholders’
to engage on the net zero transformation journey, including investors, to achieve net zero. expectations, needs, and incentives? Where do
employees, customers, governments, NGOs and civil society. Companies you operate and how might that alter your
Product owners, environmental specialists, communications, marketing engagement approach? What material will you
need to develop tailored and proactive engagement strategies based on and brand managers should work together to educate customers about
stakeholder requirements and expectations. Shareholders and investors develop and share to influence your
their impact when using products or services. They can do this by stakeholders and attain buy-in? Which climate
will be interested in your transformation strategy, approach and metrics identifying ways to reduce impact and leveraging brand and marketing
(economic, environmental and social). While employees, customers, NGOs initiatives are most relevant to you? What
channels to encourage behavior changes. levers are available to you to engage value
and civil society will be interested to understand if you are delivering a
socially-just transition, robust results, and whether you are on track to Companies should collaborate extensively with upstream and downstream chain partners, customers, governments,
meet your commitments. partners to enable transformation across the whole value chain including a. NGOs and civil society? Use this exercise to
focus on circular models of consumption. Support should be provided to inform your engagement strategy, and identify
Companies should adopt innovative approaches to engage stakeholders SMEs to enable inclusion. initiatives you would consider joining as a first
on net zero and to showcase results. For example, through targeted action.
outreach such as events showcasing results, creation or use of virtual ✔Use influence to promote policies that enable and
platforms for information exchange, or newsletters to share knowledge. accelerate progress Mature companies seeking to be net
zero leaders:
✔Inspire others and lead by example Governments, NGOs and civil society are all important in creating the drivers
and enabling conditions for companies to transform to net zero: Leaders need to be driving initiatives, inspiring
The pace and scale of the challenge requires a focus on action and tangible others to take action, and openly sharing their
Governments want to understand what the business community needs to
emissions reductions. Cooperation and sharing learnings and best practices experiences and lessons learned. Crucially
unlock emission reductions at pace and scale; and NGOs and civil society are
enables quicker identification and scaling of solutions, and greater overall leading companies need to ‘walk the talk’ by
pushing for greater ambition and green policies in the midst of turbulent
mitigation of emissions. demonstrating absolute GHG reductions
global events and politics.
Companies should use their size and influence to mobilize and convene across their value chains and engaging a
stakeholders across ecosystems, including peers, to share best practice, Companies should advocate for policies that create the market conditions diverse range of stakeholders to identify ways
learn, address common barriers and structural challenges. They should to accelerate emissions reductions and create wider social impact, and to deliver a just transition and to create the
jointly invest in these opportunities and develop publicly available provide the evidence to support these policies. Companies should engage conditions for further and faster emissions
research, roadmaps, data, tools and low carbon solutions. with civil society and NGOs to leverage their influence to create political reductions.
momentum for policy change. Companies should leverage their brand
While commitment initiatives are important, companies should also communications channels and marketing campaigns to encourage
engage in initiatives and platforms that focus on action such as REBA, broader civil society to adopt more sustainable behaviors.
RE-Source, REscale, 100s, etc.
Who is responsible for delivering Engagement for Net Zero: Head of Partnership & Engagement, Corporate Affairs,
Corporate Social Responsibility, Communications; Marketing, Brand owners; Climate & Sustainability experts Microsoft | PwC 41
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Natura &Co is a global, purpose-driven, multi-channel and multi- With this, we are seeking to broaden relations with the
brand cosmetics group which includes Avon, Natura, The Body communities supplying biodiverse ingredients in the region,
Shop, and Aesop. Each of the four companies that form the group underscoring the fact that it is economically feasible to reconcile
At Natura &Co, we believe we can’t is committed to generating positive economic, social, and production and keeping the forest standing. The lower the
run a business on a dead planet. We environmental impact. deforestation in the area, the higher the financial return from
environmental services for the agricultural producers.
will address the climate crisis by In June 2020, we published our Commitment To Life for 2030, a
comprehensive sustainability plan to address some of the world’s The RECA cooperative, which has supplied ingredients for Natura’s
working on science-based solutions most pressing issues. Ekos product line since 2001, is located in one of the regions in
to become a carbon neutral business Creating circular carbon
Brazil under the greatest pressure from deforestation, both by
livestock breeding and by the exploitation of timber. For this
by 2030. In order to achieve this, we reason, in 2013 the area was chosen for the pilot project,
To combat deforestation in the Amazon and to encourage family
will engage with a broad range of agricultural producers to conserve local vegetation, we developed developed in partnership with the sustainable development body
a first project that pays for carbon offsetting in our production Idesam (Instituto de Conservação e Desenvolvimento Sustentável
stakeholders and together, we will chain, known as Circular Carbon (or carbon insetting). The project da Amazônia).
find solutions that create a wider pays the families of smallholders not only for the purchase of raw The land and farms involved in the RECA cooperative project have
materials and benefit sharing, but also for environmental significantly helped conserve the forests. The work has helped
positive impact. Businesses, conservation services. strengthen the local economy and protect the native forest areas.
governments, civil society, and the The project was undertaken initially in partnership with The program creates a virtuous circle because it gives the
ingredients suppliers additional income and increases the
scientific community must act reforestation cooperative Cooperativa de Reflorestamento
resilience of the chain.
Econômico Consorciado e Adensado or RECA, consisting of
together, but we must be even more agricultural producers in Porto Velho (Rondônia) and surrounding Between 2013 and 2016, the deforestation rate in the surrounding
ambitious and act with urgency regions in the states of Acre and Amazonas. Through the payment area averaged 1.9% per year, while the 126 properties
for environmental services, a practice known as carbon insetting, participating in the project had a rate of 0.93% - less than half the
before it’s too late. This is an Natura is seeking to work with communities on three integrated deforestation rate of its surroundings. An area equivalent to
important part of our Commitment to fronts: approximately 190 football fields pitches was conserved during the
● Ingredients purchases period, avoiding 104,000 tons of carbon gas emissions in the
Life vision for 2030. atmosphere.
● Benefit sharing for access to traditional knowledge/genetic
heritage The payment for this environmental service from 2013 to 2016 was
● Forest conservation equivalent to the amount Natura &Co paid RECA for the
Roberto Marques
ingredients it supplied during the period (around US$500,000).
Executive Chairman of the Board and Group CEO,
Natura & Co The goal is to improve the resilience of the chain and reduce
RECA’s deforestation rate to zero, as well as to replicate this model
in other communities in the Amazon region.
Microsoft | PwC 42
Introduction Overview Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Conclusion
Building Blocks Ambition Governance Strategy Enterprise Supply Chains Innovation Finance Transparency Engagement
Conclusion
This document provides a ‘blueprint’ for a company starting out on, or on their net zero journey. The
framework outlines the key building blocks for business transformation needed to deliver net zero. It is
intentionally holistic, wide ranging and sector neutral, such that it can be engaged with by any company.
The next step is for companies to apply the framework in a way that works for their business. Here are some
ways companies can use this framework:
● Deploy the building blocks checklists as a diagnostic tool to help identify current strengths and
improvement areas, and where to direct effort and resource.
● For companies just starting their net zero transformation journey:
Establish a cross functional working group to follow our practical advice for each building block; which
would include
– An articulation of ‘net zero’ and what it means in your business context
– A high level market assessment to highlight strategic risks and opportunities
– Briefings to share results and establish a roadmap of key actions that should cover:
– Oversight and management of net zero from the highest levels of the organization
– Review of Corporate Strategy, Innovation Strategy, Operating Model, Supply Chain Strategy and
Investment Strategy to determine quick wins for embedding net zero and key next steps and
business owners
– Review of existing and priority enterprise and supply chain transformation programs to ensure net
zero is embedded in programs underway
● For mature companies:
Deep dive into key building block areas you know you need to focus on. Read the framework and ensure
there is a program of work, with designated resource to deliver against each of the action points.
There is an immediate need for companies to move from ambition to action and take a
pragmatic approach to transformation to deliver on next zero in the next 1-2 business cycles
Microsoft | PwC 43
Introduction Overview Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Conclusion
Building Blocks Ambition Governance Strategy Enterprise Supply Chains Innovation Finance Transparency Engagement
Acknowledgements
PwC and Microsoft would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions of the
following people in the development of this document:
Lead authors
Dr Celine Herweijer (PwC UK), Abigail Paris (PwC UK), Madeleine Karn (PwC UK)
Microsoft | PwC 44
Introduction Overview Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Conclusion
Building Blocks Ambition Governance Strategy Enterprise Supply Chains Innovation Finance Transparency Engagement
Microsoft | PwC 45
Introduction Overview Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Building Block: Conclusion
Building Blocks Ambition Governance Strategy Enterprise Supply Chains Innovation Finance Transparency Engagement
Endnotes
1 UN Global Compact (2020) Business Leaders Taking Action: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/take-
action/events/climate-action-summit-2019/business-ambition/business-leaders-taking-action (Accessed:
21st September 2020).
3 IPCC (2018) Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5 ºC: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ (Accessed: 21st
September 2020).
6 Science Based Targets and CDP (2020) Foundations for Science-based Net-Zero Target Setting in the
Corporate Sector: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/foundations-for-net-zero-
full-paper.pdf (Accessed: 21st September 2020).
7 Wei, Y., Han, R., Wang, C. et al. (2020) Self-preservation strategy for approaching global warming targets in
the post-Paris Agreement era: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-15453-z (Accessed: 21st September
2020).
10 Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (2020) Task Force on Climate-related Financial
Disclosures: https://www.fsb-tcfd.org/ (Accessed: 21st September 2020).
11 World Economic Forum and PwC (2019) How to Set Up Effective Climate Governance on Corporate
Boards: Guiding principles and questions: https://www.weforum.org/whitepapers/how-to-set-up-effective-
climate-governance-on-corporate-boards-guiding-principles-and-questions (Accessed: 21st September
2020).
Microsoft | PwC 46
We hope this document - produced by
PwC and commissioned by Microsoft -
proves a useful contribution to
Transform to Net Zero and helps
accelerate the transformation journey
for companies of all sizes and
geographies.
This report has been prepared for Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”) by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), and solely for the purpos e and on the terms agreed between Micros oft and PwC. Micros oft and PwC
accept no duty of care to any person for the preparation of the report. Accordingly, regardles s of the form of action, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, Micros oft and PwC
accept no liability of any kind and dis claim all responsibility for the consequences of any person acting or refraining to act in reliance on the report or for any decisions made or not made which are bas ed upon such
report. This report is not intended to form the bas is of any investment decisions .
In this document, “PwC”refers to the UKmember firm,and may ometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity.
Pleas e s ee www.pwc.com/s tructure for further details .
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