News and Updates

What’s New this Month: Quietly Doubling-Down on Action

Right now, keeping track of the rapid sustainability changes to regulation, guidelines, government agencies and more is both overwhelming and hard. Despite this confusion, recent analysis from PwC shows that business climate commitments are on the rise—over 4,000 companies reported through CDP in 2024, a nine-fold jump in five years, and “37% of companies are increasing their [sustainability] ambitions.” What’s more, the data proves these investments pay off: sustainable products can boost revenue by 6% to 25%+ compared to those without sustainability features. Even with a maelstrom of climate and political news, companies are staying the course.

Our team is zeroing in on high-impact news—both big and behind the scenes. We’ve cut through the noise to share the three key updates net zero professionals need to know:

Business Moves: Amazon’s Supplier Engagement Credit Purchasing Program

Amazon has launched a new service for their suppliers to purchase high-integrity carbon credits. This system will pool investments from their suppliers into protected forest ecosystems and Indigenous communities while advancing Amazon’s decarbonization efforts. We’re proud to validate this program, as fellow members in the Beyond Alliance, as it creates a win-win for greater access to and demand for high-integrity carbon credits. It’s imperative to scale corporate finance through market-based mechanisms like this to accelerate sustainability solutions.

A pause in political momentum does not change the fact that investors, consumers and employees still want to see companies lead on sustainability. Nature-based removals are scalable, cost-effective and available now. The question isn’t whether to use them, but how to integrate them wisely into a broader decarbonization strategy.

Elizabeth Sturcken, in a recent interview for Carbon Pulse.

High-quality carbon credits can be an important tool for companies to leverage in their sustainability plans. They also help stabilize supply chains, operations and build business resilience. We can guide you through the carbon credit process with our resources on understanding credits, purchasing and analysis of the latest REDD+ updates. 

Guideline Proposals: SBTi Corporate Net Zero Standards

The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a leading authority on corporate climate action, with nearly 7,500 companies setting validated targets. It determines how businesses establish climate goals, what interventions count and where funding flows for mitigation.

Now, for the first time since 2021, SBTi’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard is undergoing major revisions. Proposed revisions include new Scope 3 target approaches, expanded use of market mechanisms like environmental attribute certificates and new targets for carbon removals. SBTi’s decisions will shape corporate climate action for years to come. That’s why we’re encouraging businesses to engage in SBTi’s consultation process to help determine our net zero future.

Need a 101 on SBTi? Here’s step-by-step guidance for setting your company targets, and watch our webinar on on it.

Global Update: EU’s Omnibus Impacts on Business

The EU’s recent omnibus proposes changes to landmark regulations like CSRD, ESRS and CSDDD. Overall, it calls for reducing the scope of companies required to comply and altering what they have to disclose. Here are the key takeaways on the proposed changes:

• CSRD: Required compliance would be removed for many smaller companies – 80% overall reduction in the number of companies in-scope for compliance.
• ESRS: Assurance grade quantitative disclosures, climate data points found in ISSB or other existing standards will likely be preserved. Qualitative, narrative text disclosures might now be excluded.
• CSDDD: Retains the requirement for companies to adopt a CTAP; but removes the requirement to put the plan into effect.

EDF seeks company feedback on the EU CSRD and the first omnibus simplification package. Reach out to discuss implications further, or to share your thoughts to be incorporated into feedback!

What’s Ahead: Learning Opportunities

Join us for a webinar with The Change Climate Project to learn about the benefits of setting and communicating an internal carbon price and hear advice that you can apply to your organization. 

 Hosted on Wed, May 14, at 11:00 AM ET.

Make Your Voice Heard: Featured Survey

The survey to submit your feedback for the Breakthrough Barometer, the annual pulse-check from businesses on the pace of the net zero transition, is now live. Through the survey, you can ensure that the voice of business is heard in the COP process later this year. Insights from the survey will also provide input to the Business Breakthrough Barometer report. The report is developed by WBCSD in partnership with the Breakthrough Agenda, Marrakech Partnership, High-Level Climate Champions and many other business organizations.