Define, target, implement, track: A 4-step program to net-zero

The document provides a guide for businesses and asset managers to transition to net-zero emissions through a process of defining strategy, setting targets, implementing actions, and tracking progress. It notes that while net-zero pledges increased between 2019 and 2020, only 10% of publicly listed companies were aligned with global temperature goals as of July 2021.

• There is a significant gap between the number of companies making net-zero pledges and those actually aligned with global temperature goals; while the proportion of companies declaring such targets nearly doubled from 2019 to 2020, only 10% of the world's publicly listed companies were aligned with these goals as of July 2021.
• The proposed four-step program for achieving net-zero emissions consists of defining a strategy, setting targets, implementing actions, and publishing and tracking progress.
• For companies, the process involves measuring current emissions to identify priority reduction areas and utilizing renewable energy and carbon-removal technologies. For wealth and asset managers, the process involves assessing transition and extreme weather risks, adopting benchmark indices, and reallocating capital toward clean technologies or ESG 'best in class' securities.
• The document warns that without a transition to net-zero, the world is on track for a temperature increase of up to 3.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, which could result in increased mortality, harm to human health, and catastrophic flooding.

APA

Ross, J. (2021). Define, target, implement, track: A 4-step program to net-zero. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/net-zero-companies-business-cop-26-business/

Chicago

Ross, Jenna. Define, target, implement, track: A 4-step program to net-zero. World Economic Forum, 2021. https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/net-zero-companies-business-cop-26-business/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ross |first1=Jenna |title=Define, target, implement, track: A 4-step program to net-zero |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=22 October 2021 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/net-zero-companies-business-cop-26-business/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ross2021define, author = {Ross, Jenna}, title = {{Define, target, implement, track: A 4-step program to net-zero}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2021}, month = oct, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/energy-transition/net-zero-companies-business-cop-26-business/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }