Third of UK's biggest companies commit to net zero

Thirty of the UK’s FTSE 100 companies have signed up to the United Nation’s Race to Zero campaign – a global alliance committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest, with many opting to go even faster.

Pledges have doubled in the past five months, with companies including AstraZeneca, BT Group, Sainsbury’s, and Unilever and in total representing a total market capital of £650 billion.

Measures to achieve net zero carbon emissions include reducing emissions from transport operations and energy usage.

Globally, more than 2,000 companies of all sizes have joined the UNFCCC Race to Zero so far, and around a third of these of these are British businesses from across sectors such as transport, technology and finance.

With the upcoming UN Climate Summit COP26 in Glasgow later this year, the government is calling on more businesses in the UK and around the world to take urgent action on their carbon emissions by signing-up to Race to Zero and setting out clear pathways to get to net zero.

Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: "Businesses wield incredible influence to drive change across society and the economy – we need to harness this power to fight climate change.

"UK businesses are already leading the way in cutting carbon emissions and building back greener – it is fantastic to see so many of our biggest companies already pledging to reach net zero.

"But more can be done, and so today I am calling on more fantastic British companies to step up, follow suit and pledge to join the fight against climate change."

Businesses taking action on climate is vitally important in achieving the UK’s goals to tackle climate change by 2050, from cutting emissions in their supply chains to opting for sustainable business practices. The government has put in place measures that encourage businesses to reduce their emissions, including last year appointing Andrew Griffith as Net Zero Business Champion to spur companies to make ambitious climate targets.

UK FTSE100 companies who have signed up to Race to Zero include Vodafone, which has pledged to halve its carbon emissions by 2030, including the emissions emitted via the company’s joint ventures, all supply chain purchases and business travel, and eliminate its contribution to emissions by 2040.

Rolls-Royce has committed to halving the greenhouse gas emissions associated with its operations and facilities by 2030. This involved establishing a circular economy approach to their manufacturing process meaning up to 95% of their jet engines can now be recycled.