Toward Rio: Report Highlights Corporate Progress in Advancing Low-Carbon Global Economy, Names 25 Climate Champions

(3BL Media) New York, NY - June 6, 2012 – A report launched today by Caring for Climate (C4C), the UN’s voluntary action platform for companies seeking to demonstrate leadership on climate change, showcases progress made by 353 corporate signatories in addressing climate change while highlighting areas where additional action is needed. The Progress Report 2012 also features a list of the Top 25 Performers in the initiative.

Developed with support from Deloitte, the Progress Report examines trends in participation in Caring for Climate, including emissions performance of C4C companies since 2009 and progress made against the five commitments of the Statement endorsed by all signatories. By providing this analysis, Caring for Climate seeks to motivate signatories to take more significant action on climate change and to encourage greater participation in the initiative.

Key findings of the report include the following:

• Although the top 25 performers of total signatories reduced more than 16 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, total emissions for the entire initiative rose tenfold during the reporting period. However, data also indicates an absolute decrease in emissions of approximately 6 percent below 2007 levels.
• While nearly two-thirds of total signatories (mostly large companies) have met three or more of the initiative’s commitments, for others the journey is just beginning. Nearly 21 percent of the entire C4C membership and 47 percent of small and medium-size enterprises have not yet met any commitments.

“While it is clear that many Caring for Climate signatories are making great strides in addressing the climate challenge, this report highlights the challenge the world faces in decoupling carbon emissions from business growth,” said Georg Kell, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “I commend C4C companies for their dedication to confronting the shared risks presented by climate change, and I invite others to join this effort.”

As part of the report, Caring for Climate has also identified 25 climate champions. These Top 25 Performers have met all five Caring for Climate commitments – which range from reducing emissions and articulating climate strategies to working collaboratively with other enterprises – and achieved the greatest reduction in absolute emissions percentage over the 2009 to 2010 reporting period. The list recognizes the highest-performing companies in C4C and encourages other companies to continue to work towards meeting the commitments of Caring for Climate and reducing harmful GHG emissions.

• Download the Caring for Climate Progress Report
• Learn more about Caring for Climate

About the Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum:
Innovation and Collaboration for the Future We Want
Hosted by the UN Global Compact, in cooperation with the Rio+20 Secretariat, the UN System and the Global Compact Local Network Brazil, the Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum (15-18 June 2012) seeks to bring greater scale and quality to corporate sustainability practices, as a critical contribution to sustainable development. As a showcase for innovation and collaboration, the Forum is designed to be a launching ground for widespread action. With more than 2,000 participants in attendance, the Forum features over 100 sessions focused on six themes central to the Rio+20 agenda: Energy & Climate, Water & Ecosystems, Agriculture & Food, Social Development, Urbanization & Cities, and Economics & Finance. www.compact4rio.org

About Caring for Climate
Launched by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2007, Caring for Climate is the UN Global Compact and UN Environment Programme’s initiative aimed at advancing the role of business in addressing climate change. It provides a framework for business leaders to advance practical solutions and help shape public policy as well as public attitudes. Chief executive officers who support the statement are prepared to set goals, develop and expand strategies and practices, and to publicly disclose emissions as part of their existing disclosure commitment within the UN Global Compact framework, that is, the Communication on Progress. Caring for Climate is endorsed by nearly 400 companies from 65 countries.
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/Issues/Environment/Climate_Change/