Wednesday 9 October 2013

Carbon Clear's Third Annual FTSE 100 Carbon Performance Report


image courtesy of thebigtrophyshop.co.ukIt's that time of year.  The results have been announced. The press releases, released.  The winners are crowing and the also-rans licking their wounds.

Each year, Carbon Clear's publication, "Carbon Reporting Performance of the FTSE 100" attracts more attention from the press and from leading corporations.  In a short span of time, this report has become a trusted tool for understanding which companies are taking seriously their response to climate change. The need for such a tool is as important as ever. As I pointed out last year:
"When we talk with large companies, the vast majority speak proudly of their climate change initiatives. In reality, there is a significant spread in the depth and breadth of carbon management programmes in the corporate world."
Our research separates the stars from the wannabes.

A few trends leap out from this year's research results:
  • Integrated reporting is becoming mainstream, with just over half of companies mentioning their carbon footprint in their annual report;
  • 56 of the FTSE 100 are reporting at least part of their Scope 3 GHG footprint;
  • 29% of companies have set carbon targets that go beyond 2020;
  • The number of companies that claim to be carbon neutral has increased by 46% since last year.
There are a host of other interesting findings, but for these and the list of top-performing companies, you'll have to read the report.

It's important to point out that this is not a "name and shame" exercise.  Carbon Clear's research provides a useful diagnostic that can help companies benchmark their performance against their peers, address weaknesses, and increase their ambition.

If you're in the FTSE 100 (or even if you're not), we can provide a customised overview that explores your company's performance and helps you plan your next steps.  Please contact the team at Carbon Clear for more information.

(Back to Carbon Clear homepage)