The Climate Pledge announced today the addition of 86 new companies, marking a significant jump in the number of companies joining the initiative and committing to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040. New signatories to the pledge include Salesforce and Procter & Gamble, as well as HP, ASOS, and Nespresso.

The Climate Pledge was co-founded by Amazon and climate change-focused organization Global Optimism, calling on signatories to achieve net zero carbon across their businesses 10 years ahead of the Paris Accord’s 2050 target. Companies that sign onto the Climate Pledge agree to numerous steps, including:

Measuring and reporting GHG emissions on a regular basisImplementing decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations. These include efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategiesNeutralizing any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially beneficial offsets to achieve net zero annual carbon emissions by 2040

With the addition of the new signatories, the Climate Pledge surpasses 200 companies, doubling the count after reaching the 100-company milestone in April 2021.

Andy Jassy, Amazon CEO, said:

“I believe that now, more than ever, companies like Amazon have an obligation to lead the fight for our planet. But, solving this challenge cannot be accomplished by one company; it requires all of us to act together, and it’s one of the reasons we’re so excited to announce that more than 200 businesses have joined us in signing The Climate Pledge—a commitment to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement 10 years early.”

Several of the new signatories have announced their own recent climate-focused sustainability goals and initiatives. Salesforce, for example, recently unveiled new obligations for suppliers, requiring them to commit to setting a science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Earlier this month, P&G announced a series of new climate goals, including commitments to achieve net zero GHG emissions across operations and supply chain by 2040.

Suzanne DiBianca, Salesforce’s Chief Impact Officer, said:

“We are in a climate crisis. Salesforce believes that business is the greatest platform for change, and we consider the environment a key stakeholder. That’s why Salesforce is proud to join The Climate Pledge to accelerate and scale business climate action to drive meaningful change. Every company has an important role in the fight to save our planet.”

David S. Taylor, Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO of The Procter & Gamble Company, added:

“Addressing climate change effectively requires collaboration across industries and credible science-based actions. P&G has made significant progress over the past decade and we know we must do more. The task ahead is urgent, difficult, and much bigger than any single company can solve alone. P&G is proud to join The Climate Pledge as we work together to preserve our shared home for generations to come.”

The post Salesforce, P&G Among 86 New Companies Joining Climate Pledge to Reach Net Zero by 2040 appeared first on ESG Today.