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The document outlines the commitment of 93 companies to address climate change and support the transition to a low-carbon economy. The authors argue that climate change threatens business growth and a healthy economy, and that the private sector must use innovation and scale to reduce natural-resource use and invest in clean energy.

The We Mean Business coalition asserts that the Paris Agreement must establish a collective long-term goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions well before the end of the century to keep warming below 2°C. The authors call for mechanisms to regularly strengthen country commitments every five years, implement transparent government accountability rules, and shift trillions of dollars toward low-carbon investment through policy signals like carbon pricing.

Skanska advocates for a progressive COP21 agreement to provide legislative certainty for green investments and details its 'Journey to Deep Green' strategy. This approach focuses on near zero environmental impact and net zero energy performance, as demonstrated by the Solallén residential neighbourhood in Sweden and the Bentley Works facility in the UK, both of which utilize solar and renewable energy systems to reduce carbon footprints.

Ben & Jerry’s advocates for more stringent US Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy regulations for freight trucks, noting that transportation accounts for 17% of the company's carbon footprint. The company argues that a 40% reduction in fuel consumption by 2025 is feasible and would reduce freight rates by nearly 7%, potentially saving the average American household $250 annually.

The authors advocate for five-year cycles of climate commitments over ten-year cycles to better align with scientific data and the rapid pace of technological innovation. They argue that current intended national climate commitments are insufficient, potentially leading to warming of 3 to 3.5°C, and that shorter cycles provide the predictability necessary for business investment in a low-carbon economy.

The We Mean Business coalition welcomes the G7's agreement to deep greenhouse gas emission cuts to decarbonize the global economy this century, noting that limiting global warming to 2°C requires limiting cumulative carbon emissions to one trillion tons. The coalition emphasizes that over US$90 trillion will be invested in infrastructure, land-use, and energy over the next 15 years, and argues that a net zero greenhouse gas emissions target in the Paris Agreement is necessary to shift this capital toward low-carbon investment. The coalition also supports the G7's commitment to long-term national low-carbon strategies and the mobilization of climate finance for renewable energy in developing countries.

We Mean Business welcomes the call for carbon pricing from CEOs of BG, BP, ENI, Royal Dutch Shell, Statoil, and Total, but argues that real leadership requires specific investment commitments and transparency.

The We Mean Business Coalition calls on climate negotiators to establish a policy framework that signals long-term decarbonization to guide capital investment. Key demands include a global net-zero objective before the end of the century, a five-year cycle of science-based commitments aligned with IPCC reporting, and shared accountability rules to ensure emissions reductions are accurately tracked.

The authors argue that the historical deadlock between governments and the private sector regarding climate action is ending, as nearly 40 countries have submitted national contributions and major corporations are integrating climate goals into their strategies. They highlight that green growth is a source of profit, noting that climate-conscious businesses see 18% higher returns on investment, while global inaction could cost $28 trillion by 2050. The text calls for business leaders to support ambitious policies and set concrete targets, such as 100% renewable energy use, to complement state-led measures ahead of COP21.

The We Mean Business Coalition acknowledges the US pledge to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 as a positive step but argues it is insufficient to prevent 3.5 degrees Celsius of warming. The coalition calls for a detailed national decarbonization pathway targeting 80% or more reductions by 2050, a five-year cycle for strengthening targets, and the scale-up of public finance via the Green Climate Fund to leverage private sector capital.

The Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders Group and We Mean Business partners support the EU's commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. While praising the EU's leadership and the Energy Union framework strategy, the group calls for the Market Stability Reserve to be implemented by 2017 to remove surplus carbon permits and requests clearer guidance on financing the transition from gas to greener energy alternatives.

The B Team calls for a global net zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050 to be codified in the Paris climate agreement, arguing that such a clear market signal would drive investment in low-carbon infrastructure and renewable energy while mitigating catastrophic economic and environmental risks.

The We Mean Business Coalition advocates for a global climate agreement that limits temperature rises to below 2C, emphasizing the need for a net-zero emissions goal, scalable climate finance, and increased short-term ambition through the UNFCCC Workstream 2. The coalition argues that bold climate action represents a historic economic opportunity, noting that some low-carbon investments have achieved an internal rate of return (IRR) of 27%.

Richard Branson and B Team leaders advocate for a global commitment to net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050, arguing that this target is necessary to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of climate change. The statement calls for a meaningful price on carbon and the redirection of fossil fuel subsidies toward renewables, emphasizing that bold government commitments in Paris will drive business innovation and investment.

We Mean Business calls for direct engagement between government ministers and business leaders at COP in Lima to align on a high-ambition climate pathway. The statement argues that bold climate action is an economic opportunity, citing significant growth in clean energy investments and job creation. It proposes three areas for cooperation: committing to a long-term decarbonization pathway to reduce uncertainty, scaling up public and private climate finance, and collaborating on short-term ambition to close the emissions gap by 2020.

The We Mean Business Coalition calls on G20 leaders to move beyond rhetoric and commit to specific policy actions to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions and hold global temperatures below 2 °C. The coalition advocates for the elimination of high-carbon energy subsidies, the enactment of carbon pricing, and the scale-up of low carbon energy and public finance. It further encourages the G20 to integrate findings on climate-compatible infrastructure investment into the establishment of a global infrastructure hub, asserting that climate action is compatible with economic growth.

The We Mean Business coalition, representing businesses with a market value of at least EUR 4.33 trillion in Europe, advocates for robust climate policy to drive economic growth and energy independence. The coalition requests binding 2030 commitments from European leaders for at least 40% greenhouse gas emissions reductions, a 30% share of energy from renewable sources, and 30% energy efficiency savings. This position is supported by various corporate groups and declarations, including a letter from The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group and a joint declaration by companies such as IKEA, Unilever, and Philips. Additionally, CDP data indicates that 92% of Euro 300 companies reporting with CDP view climate regulation as a business opportunity.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) asserts that climate change is the most critical sustainable development challenge and that sustainable energy access is a primary lever for eradicating poverty. The authors call for the final text of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to explicitly include both climate mitigation and adaptation measures, as well as the scaling up of sustainable energy access, to ensure global action and partnership between public and private sectors.

The author asserts that climate change threatens to reverse development gains and undermine efforts to end poverty. The text emphasizes that the UN Climate Summit and the transition from Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals are critical opportunities to integrate climate resilience with poverty eradication. It highlights specific solutions, such as renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, as drivers of economic growth and public health.

The document highlights a gap between current emission trends and the targets of the Paris Agreement, estimating that while governments' commitments will reduce emissions by 6bn tonnes, a significant gap remains. It asserts that five specific business initiatives—Science Based Targets, EP100, RE100, Zero Deforestation, and the Low Carbon Technology Partnership Initiative (LCTPi)—could cut emissions by up to 4.2bn tonnes if they reach their membership targets, or up to 10bn tonnes if all relevant companies join. The text calls for businesses to commit to these actions to gain competitiveness and cost reductions, while urging governments to implement ambitious policies to support this transition.