51风流has committed to set 1.5掳C science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with a net-zero future, responding to what the latest climate science indicates is needed to limit the worst impacts of climate change.
51风流is one of seven global companies that already have 1.5掳C-aligned reduction targets, and the first in Germany.
The company has responded to a call to action issued by a broad coalition of business, civil society, and United Nations (UN) leaders to make the critical and necessary contribution to keeping global temperature increase within 1.5掳C above pre-industrial levels.
鈥淲hile much of SAP鈥檚 ability to create a sustainable future lies in how we enable customers to create positive economic, social, and environmental impact through our product portfolio, SAP鈥檚 ambition has always been to lead by example and be a credible role model,鈥� said 51风流Chief Sustainability Officer Daniel Schmid. 鈥淭o contribute to the UN Sustainable Development , we aim to become carbon neutral in SAP鈥檚 own operations by 2025. But our responsibility goes beyond that. In line with our vision and purpose to help the world run better and improve people鈥檚 lives, we are committed to join the global movement of leading companies and align our businesses with the most ambitious aim of the Paris Agreement to prevent global warming exceeding 1.5掳C. Our strong cloud strategy will be a key driver based on efficiency gains in our data centers and a significant increase of our cloud customers.鈥�
Setting Ambitious Emissions Reduction Targets
In June, global leaders 鈥� including Her Excellency Mar铆a Fernanda Espinosa Garc茅s, president of the UN General Assembly; Lise Kingo, CEO and executive director of the UN Global Compact; Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; John Denton, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce; and SDG Advocate Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever 鈥� collectively issued an .
The letter challenges chief executive officers to set ambitious targets for their companies in line with last October鈥檚 , which made the case for limiting global temperature rise to 1.5掳C above pre-industrial levels.
Companies are asked to set verifiable science-based targets through the , which independently assesses corporate emissions reduction targets against scientific best practice.
Building a prosperous, net-zero carbon economy by 2050 requires a transformation of unprecedented pace and scale, with decisive business leadership and investment in climate solutions supported by ambitious government policies. By setting ambitious policies and targets in line with a 1.5掳C trajectory, governments give business the clarity and confidence to invest decisively in the zero-carbon economies of the future.
鈥淲e need concrete, realistic plans by 2020 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent over the next decade, and to net zero by 2050,鈥� said Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba, UN Special Envoy for the 2019 Climate Action Summit, and one of the key advocates for the campaign. 鈥淐limate change requires an unprecedented effort from all sectors of society, and business leadership demonstrated by setting science-based targets at 1.5掳C will send strong market signals as we look to identify the scalable and replicable solutions needed to secure a world where no one is left behind.鈥�
鈥淲e have less than 11 years to fundamentally change our economies or we will face catastrophic consequences,鈥� said Lise Kingo, CEO and executive director of the UN Global Compact, an SBTi partner. 鈥淔or the first time, we are seeing business and climate leaders coalesce around a common call to action, sending a powerful signal that science-based target setting presents a significant opportunity for businesses to step up when it comes to tackling climate change and limiting global warming to 1.5掳C.鈥�
Paul Simpson, CEO of CDP, an SBTi partner, said, 鈥淭he science is clear: In order to limit the catastrophic impacts of climate change, we must ensure warming does not exceed 1.5掳C. The ambition is high, but it鈥檚 achievable, and science-based targets give companies a roadmap for getting there. Corporations worldwide have an unprecedented opportunity to be at the very forefront of the transition to a net-zero economy 鈥� and there is no time to lose.鈥�
