Several businesses and one OEM have teamed up to launch a new initiative known as Transform to Net Zero to help accelerate the transition towards a net zero global economy.
The announcement came on July 21 and listed the founding members of the initiative as Mercedes-Benz AG, Microsoft, NIKE, Nature & Co, A.P. Moller – Maersk, Danone, Starbucks, Unilever, Wipro, and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). BSR is serving as Secretariat for the Initiative.
“If there is one lesson we can learn from dealing with the COVID-19-pandemic it is how much we can achieve if we act together,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG. “This is the only way we can also win the fight against climate change.”
Källenius said we need to set common goals and implement measures to achieve them, and has listed this as one of the reasons why the company joined the initiative.
Transform to Net Zero will focus on pushing for the business transformation needed to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. The initiative will also push for broader change with a focus on policy, innovation, and finance.
The work being done will be led by a number of principles, according to Microsoft. This includes: (1) a focus on transformation, (2) led by science and best practice data and methods, (3) leveraging existing efforts, (4) strong governance and oversight, (5) robust reduction and removal across the extended enterprise, and (6) investment and innovation.
“No one company can address the climate crisis alone. That’s why leading companies are developing and sharing best practices, research, and learnings to help everyone move forward,” said Brad Smith, President of Microsoft. “Whether a company is just getting started or is well on its path, Transform to Net Zero can help us all turn carbon commitments into real progress toward a net zero future.”
