Net zero pledges from a third of UK’s biggest businesses: A third of the largest UK businesses have made promises to remove their input to climate change by 2050 or earlier.
Nearly one in three of the biggest companies are leading the direction in the world’s switch to a low carbon economy, with 30 of the UK’s FTSE 100 companies having signed up to the UN’s Race to Zero campaign – the largest global alliance promised to attaining net zero carbon emissions by 2050 or soonere, backed by science-based goals.
The commitments have doubled throughout the last 5 months, with companies which include AstraZeneca, Barratts, BT Group, Rolls-Royce, Sainsbury’s, Unilever & Vodafone – comprising a total market capital of £650 billion.
Businesses vary from all sectors containing transport, technology & finance, and joining over 2,000 companies worldwide that have united with the Race to Zero campaign.
Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng stated: “Businesses wiled incredible influence to drive change across society and the economy – we need to harness this power to fight climate change.
“UK businesses are already leading the way in cutting carbon emissions and building back greener – it is fantastic to see so many of our biggest companies already pledging to reach net zero.
“But more can be done and so today I am calling on more fantastic British companies to step up, follow suit and pledge to join the fight against climate change.”
The government have set guidelines that encourage businesses to lower their emissions, which include appointing Andrew Griffith as Net Zero Business Champion last year to boost companies to set important climate goals.
Since then, he has written to all UK FTSE 100 companies, communicated directly with 77 of their chairman & CEOs as well as presented to thousands of businesses at virtual events all over the UK.
Mr Griffith stated: “Since firing the starting gun on the year-long road to Glasgow a few months ago, we have seen an accelerating rate of the UK’s largest and most successful businesses taking action on climate.
“Today’s news of 30 of the joining the Race to Zero makes the UK a global leader on tackling emissions with British companies representing a third of those signed up globally. It shows what can be done but in the months running up to, every board should engage on this vital topic.”
Net zero pledges from a third of UK’s biggest businesses
