Setting Science-Based Emissions Targets: 5 Companies Offer Lessons for Success

This briefing by the World Resources Institute identifies six common characteristics among companies that successfully implement science-based emissions targets aligned with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 2 degrees C.

• Successful companies typically have a history of meeting or exceeding previous emissions goals, which provides the confidence to set more ambitious 'stretch' targets. For instance, Coca-Cola Enterprises reduced absolute emissions by 29 percent over three years after setting a 15 percent reduction target in 2011, and the International Post Corporation met its 2020 goal of a 20 percent emissions reduction six years early.
• A strong business case drives emissions reductions, as companies find that medium-term competitive advantages, energy savings, and regulatory compliance outweigh short-term costs. Pfizer exemplifies this by implementing approximately 3300 energy projects since 2000, which reduced emissions by about 814,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and generated annual savings of roughly $150 million.
• Utilizing climate science provides a credible point of reference that replaces arbitrary 'round figure' targets, fostering internal commitment and external stakeholder trust. Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, operating in 28 countries, uses targets reviewed by external experts to ensure alignment with scientific methodology, pledging a 25 percent cut in absolute emissions across its operations and value chain by 2020.
• Effective emissions reductions require company-wide participation, including a dedicated sustainability team, executive support, and cross-disciplinary staff. Pfizer involved experts from global engineering, environmental law, and environmental health and safety, while Coca-Cola Enterprises utilized sustainability working groups in areas like packaging and transportation to lead the transition.
• Companies tailor their strategies to their specific business constraints and opportunities. NRG Energy focuses on a long-term 30-40 year evolution of its power generation assets, combining the attrition of old facilities with investments in solar and wind energy. Thalys reduced emissions from on-board catering by half between 2008 and 2016 by sourcing more local, organic, and seasonal produce and reducing red meat.

APA

Longendyke, L. (2016). Setting Science-Based Emissions Targets: 5 Companies Offer Lessons for Success. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/setting-science-based-emissions-targets-5-companies-offer-lessons-success

Chicago

Longendyke, Lindsey. Setting Science-Based Emissions Targets: 5 Companies Offer Lessons for Success. World Resources Institute, 2016. https://www.wri.org/insights/setting-science-based-emissions-targets-5-companies-offer-lessons-success.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Longendyke |first1=Lindsey |title=Setting Science-Based Emissions Targets: 5 Companies Offer Lessons for Success |publisher=World Resources Institute |date=6 May 2016 |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/setting-science-based-emissions-targets-5-companies-offer-lessons-success |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{longendyke2016setting, author = {Longendyke, Lindsey}, title = {{Setting Science-Based Emissions Targets: 5 Companies Offer Lessons for Success}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2016}, month = may, url = {https://www.wri.org/insights/setting-science-based-emissions-targets-5-companies-offer-lessons-success}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }