Drawing on insights from the SDG Industry Matrix, and on the heels of the historic Paris Agreement on climate change, this Climate Extract identifies industry specific ideas for climate action. Although achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is inextricably linked with climate action, this Extract focuses on SDGs 7, 12 and 13. It profiles opportunities to create ‘shared value’, which in the context of the SDGs represents the coming together of market potential, societal demands and policy action to create a more sustainable and inclusive path to economic growth, prosperity and well-being.

Held over two days, the third annual Caring for Climate Business Forum at COP21/CMP11 provided a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue and action among business, investors, civil society, the UN and Government officials. The first day of the Forum consisted of plenary and thematic sessions on the topics of carbon pricing, science-based target setting, responsible policy engagement, adaptation and finance. Sessions were organized by the UN Global Compact, UNEP and UNEP Finance Initiative, UNFCCC secretariat and in collaboration with Caring for Climate strategic partners, which include Global Compact Network France, CDP, The Climate Group, Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), United Nations Foundation and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Chief Executives of Caring for Climate and UNEP-FI signatories engaged in a high-level meeting together with Government representatives, including representatives of relevant bodies established under the UNFCCC. The high-level meeting put forward an overview of all commitments and contributions by business and investors towards COP21. Following welcoming remarks, participants engaged in discussions focused on pricing the cost of carbon emissions. The event concluded with a report-back segment and key recommendations for Government actions that would help bring greater scale and quality to corporate climate leadership globally. The high-level meeting was the focus area business event under the Lima-Paris Action Agenda.

The scientific community has provided continuous warnings that global emissions are jeopardizing our ability to limit warming to a 2°C temperature increase above preindustrial levels. As governments consider new emissions pledges, companies are taking the initiative to align their own emission reduction goals with the 2°C pathway. CDP, WRI, and WWF decided to join forces and provide more comprehensive guidance including a method that illustrates the scale of emissions mitigation required to achieve a 2°C pathway. The first step is the target setting method presented in this report, to help companies set targets based on the best science currently available.

Business has much to gain from more inclusive economic prosperity, through access to new markets, unleashing more innovation, and greater social stability so necessary for markets to function. Conversely, business has much to lose from an economy that fails to capitalize fully on human capital, constricts markets, and experiences sluggish demand. This working paper introduces BSR’s perspective on the business role in creating inclusive prosperity.

An increasing number of companies recognize that water poses a significant risk to their business and have begun to take action to mitigate their risks via improved water management practices and stewardship. This paper proposes a new recognition that companies seeking to manage water-related business risks can and should contribute to improved water and sanitation management and governance that is also in the public interest.

Provides an overview of the importance of traceability for sustainability objectives, as well as global opportunities and challenges. The guide presents practical steps for implementing traceability programmes within companies, features case studies, and maps relevant stakeholders, resources and sustainability issues related to key commodities.

Utilizes key business metrics to determine the return on investment of corporate sustainability activities. The Model & Toolkit offer companies a simple and direct approach to assess and communicate the financial impact of their sustainability strategies. Likewise, the toolkit helps investors to effectively integrate sustainability data into their existing investment processes.

Establish the attributes of well-functioning and sustainable global food and agriculture systems, and articulate a common understanding of the resources, ecosystem services and socio-economic impacts needed to build resilience into these systems and the markets that they serve.

The right of indigenous peoples to give or withhold free, prior, and informed consent (“FPIC”) for the use of their lands, resources, traditional knowledge, or intellectual property is among the special protections for indigenous peoples. This Good Practice Note provides background on the history of FPIC, without taking a definitive viewpoint on its legal status. The Note also explores the business case for obtaining FPIC and the challenges that are likely to arise in the process; outlines current company good practices to obtain FPIC; and discusses emerging practices that not only support FPIC but also long-term benefits for affected indigenous communities.

An overview of the resource "A Guide to Traceability: A Practical Approach to Advance Sustainability in Global Supply Chains” is presented. Then webinar then explores the objectives and challenges of implementing traceability in the supply chains of key commodities in the food sector, (such as sugar, coffee, cocoa, as well as meat and fish) and feature a panel of commodity-specific or traceability scheme experts.

The Business Leadership Criteria on Carbon Pricing is designed to inspire companies to reach the next level of climate performance and to advocate for a price on carbon as a necessary and effective measure to tackle the climate change challenge. The criteria comprise three overlapping dimensions: first, setting an internal carbon price; second, responsible policy advocacy; and third, communicating on progress.