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DSM CEO Feike Sijbesma advocates for the implementation of global carbon pricing to unlock private sector finance and innovation. He highlights the role of the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC) in supporting companies with internal carbon pricing and urges business leaders to call for price levels that align with a well-below 2-degree world, specifically mentioning a target of at least $40 per ton.

Ørsted has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emission intensity from energy production by 96% by 2023 compared to a 2006 base-year, a target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. To achieve this, the company is divesting from oil and gas, phasing out coal by 2023, and expanding offshore wind capacity to a target of 11-12 GW by 2025. Ørsted reports that it has already reduced GHG emissions intensity by 67% since 2006 and has reduced coal consumption by 82% in the same period.

Tesco has committed to reducing its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 60% by 2025 and scope 3 emissions by 17% by 2030, both using a 2015 base-year. To achieve these goals, the company is implementing a costed renewable electricity roadmap and investing in energy and refrigeration efficiency, having already spent over £700 million since 2006. Tesco aims for 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and a net-zero carbon status by 2050, while managing specific challenges related to agricultural emissions, which constitute approximately 70% of its supply chain emissions.

The We Mean Business coalition calls for corporate support of the Powering Past Coal Alliance, highlighting the health and economic costs of coal and the financial benefits of transitioning to 100% renewable electricity.

The We Mean Business coalition is calling for private sector companies to sign the Powering Past Coal Alliance declaration, joining over 25 countries, states, and regions in accelerating the phase-out of traditional coal power. The coalition emphasizes that coal plants produce nearly 40% of global electricity and are a primary driver of climate change and negative health effects. The document advocates for a 'just transition' to clean energy to help limit global temperature increases to well below 2°C, and preferably 1.5°C, urging companies to sign the declaration before the One Planet Summit on December 12, 2017.

Royal DSM is developing patented bioconversion technologies, such as yeast and enzymes, to optimize biofuel production and maximize yields. In partnership with POET, the company established the first commercial-scale cellulosic biofuel plant in the United States, which converts corn crop residue into fuel. As a founding member of the below50 campaign, DSM advocates for a multi-stakeholder approach to overcome legislative and financial barriers to low-carbon fuels. The company argues that sustainable biofuels are essential for decarbonizing aviation, maritime, and road transport, particularly for existing combustion engine vehicles. DSM emphasizes that consistent and proactive government policies, such as the US Renewable Fuel Standard, are critical to providing the investment certainty needed to scale these technologies globally.

ABB installed a microgrid at its Longmeadow facility in Johannesburg, combining a 750 kWp solar PV plant and a 1 MVA/ 380 kWh lithium-ion battery system. This 'power island' allows the facility to operate autonomously during grid disturbances, which previously occurred every three days on average. The system is managed by a cloud-based Microgrid Plus Control System that balances renewable and fossil-fuel sources. Since June 2016, the project has reduced annual diesel fuel consumption by 27% and diesel generator use by 76%, resulting in annual energy cost savings of US$150,000 and a reduction of approximately 1,000 tons of carbon emissions per year.

The We Mean Business coalition calls for stronger alignment between government policies and corporate climate action to meet Paris Agreement goals. The coalition highlights significant corporate commitments to emissions reductions and advocates for the Marrakech Partnership and the 2018 Facilitative Dialogue to be used as platforms for enhancing NDCs and building climate resilience.

Olam implemented a long-term selective breeding program and irrigation optimizations in California to produce onions with higher solid and lower water content. Since 2009, these initiatives have resulted in quantified savings of 9.7 billion liters of water and 20,138 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The program utilizes the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard and collaboration with approximately 60 local growers, including the use of buried drip irrigation which reduced grower water usage by 25%. Olam is now transferring these learnings to its operations in Egypt.

Unilever implements a global strategy to reduce water use and increase reuse, focusing on water-scarce areas and new operations. The company requires all sites to develop water reduction plans and monitors progress via an Environmental Performance Reporting system. Since 2014, Unilever has allocated nearly US$10 million to over 100 water efficiency projects, including a US$4.5 million ring-fenced water fund. These efforts have led to a 37% reduction in total water per ton of production since 2008 and cumulative cost avoidances of approximately €60 million. While manufacturing efficiency has improved, the company identifies consumer product use as the area of greatest water impact and aims to halve water associated with consumer use by 2020.

EDP has committed to science-based targets to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions from electricity production by 55% per TWh and scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2030, relative to 2015 levels. To achieve these, the company is expanding its renewable energy portfolio by at least 700 MW annually until 2020 and investing in energy efficiency, including the deployment of smart meters in Iberia and Portugal. EDP reports a 57% reduction in CO2 intensity compared to 2005 and aims for 75% by 2030. The company identifies political and regulatory uncertainties as primary challenges and advocates for transparent carbon pricing to accelerate the energy transition.

The report evaluates 12 major diversified miners across transition risks, physical risks, transition opportunities, and climate governance, finding that while operational emissions are improving and capital is flowing toward low-carbon commodities, significant risks persist from downstream regulation and water stress.

The We Mean Business coalition argues that the Paris Agreement provides the certainty needed for long-term business investment in innovation and infrastructure. The coalition highlights that low-carbon investments are economically advantageous, citing an average internal rate of return of 27% and specific examples from Walmart and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Despite the US government's decision to withdraw, the coalition maintains that businesses in the United States will continue to pursue climate goals because they align with business growth and risk management.

The document outlines four primary methods for companies to procure renewable energy: onsite installation, power purchase agreements (PPAs), renewable energy certificates (RECs) or guarantees of origin (GOs), and green tariffs. It highlights that companies often combine these methods based on capital availability, energy demand, and market options, citing examples like Microsoft, Google, Iron Mountain, and Equinix. Additionally, the guide recommends collaborating with organizations such as the Business Renewables Center (BRC), the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA), and the Corporate Renewable Energy Buyers’ Principles to overcome barriers and increase corporate demand for renewable energy.

The report examines business responses to the EU's 2030 climate and energy framework, noting that while some companies diversify into renewable energy generation, others stimulate market demand through procurement requirements.

The We Mean Business coalition criticizes a US Executive Order that undermines the Clean Power Plan (CPP) and the broader clean energy agenda. The coalition argues that the CPP provides significant economic benefits, including estimated net economic gains of US$26-45 billion and support for over 3 million jobs in 2016. Despite the policy shift, the coalition asserts that the transition to low-carbon energy is inevitable, citing support from over 1,000 companies and investors via the 'Business Backs Low Carbon USA' statement and the continued global commitment to the Paris Agreement.

The We Mean Business coalition advocates for the use of the Global Climate Action Agenda and Technical Expert Meetings (TEMs) to break down barriers to low-carbon transition before 2020. The coalition highlights its role in facilitating over 1,000 climate commitments from businesses and investors and promoting the RE100 initiative to help companies procure 100% renewable energy.

The document asserts that developing nations, despite contributing the least to carbon emissions, suffer the most from climate impacts. It argues that the Paris Agreement's goals can only be met if vulnerable communities are provided with sustainable energy resources and that the $100 billion annual climate finance pledge by wealthy nations is insufficient to protect lives and maintain development in health and education. The author calls for the mobilization of both public and private finance to build low-carbon economies in the global south, noting that developing and emerging economies invested $156 billion in renewables in 2015.

The statement asserts that the shift toward renewable energy is an economic inevitability, citing corporate commitments from companies like Walmart and General Mills and the cost-competitiveness of wind and solar power over fossil fuels in various global regions. It emphasizes that the drive to decarbonize the US energy economy will persist through the actions of states, cities, and businesses, and calls for bipartisan cooperation to protect climate policies like the Clean Power Plan.

The author asserts that the Paris Agreement's fast ratification demonstrates increasing political will to address climate change. The text highlights the role of business initiatives, such as the Low Carbon Technology Partnerships Initiative (LCTPi), in proving the feasibility of emissions reductions. It concludes that current Nationally Determined Contributions are insufficient to limit warming to 2°C or 1.5°C, necessitating further business-led efforts to provide policymakers with the confidence to increase their targets, specifically through the Low Emissions Solutions Conference at COP22.