Skip to main content Skip to footer

Accelerating global companies toward net zero by 2050

November 2, 2022 5-Minuten Zeit

RESEARCH REPORT

In brief

Progress growing globally but concerted action is needed

"Even in an accelerated scenario –where the pace of emissions reduction is twice as fast until 2030 and then up to five times as fast until 2050– two fifths of companies will miss their own targets."

Companies stepping up in difficult circumstances

84%

of companies said they plan to increase investments in sustainability initiatives by the end of 2022. This proportion has risen by 4 percentage points since last year.

39%

of all Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi) commitments set since 2015, were set in the months after the war in Ukraine began (up to the start of October 2022).

$226B

Total worldwide renewable energy investment in the first six months of 2022 - a record for a first half year, and an 11% year-on-year rise.

Uncovering net zero trends across industries and geographies

Strategies to accelerate decarbonization in every sector

It starts with setting targets

On average, companies that have set full net zero targets managed to cut operational emissions by 18% between 2011 and 2020.

Multiple targets cut emissions faster

In addition to long-term net zero targets, they set intermediate targets and lever-specific goals like renewable energy targets. They also follow a clear and integrated transition strategy.

Lessons from the leaders

Companies setting the example

Naturgy

With the goal of achieving zero emissions across all scopes by 2050, Naturgy’s strategy for decarbonization includes achieving a 56% clean energy mix by 2025, leading to the closure of all its coal-powered stations in 2020, and a 33% increase in installed capacity through wind, water and solar power investment in 2021.

Mahindra & Mahindra

The Indian automotive company has in place a carbon neutral goal by 2040, validated by SBTi, as well as the target to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030. In 2021, the company increased its renewable energy consumption by 19%, and enhanced energy efficiency in its sites, achieving an 11% reduction in scopes 1 and 2 emissions compared with the year before.

Accelerate your company’s actions today

Jean-Marc Ollagnier

CEO – Europe

Jean-Marc is the chief executive officer of Accenture in Europe and is a member of Accenture’s Global Management Committee.


Peter Lacy

Global Sustainability Services Lead & Chief Responsibility Officer

Peter advises leaders of Fortune 500 companies on strategies related to growth, technology, innovation and sustainability.


Mauricio Bermudez Neubauer

Managing Director – Strategy & Consulting, Carbon Strategy & Intelligence Lead

Mauricio supports organizations in the transition to the future economy—the intersection between the low carbon, circular, ethical and digital economies.