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In partnership with CDP, ChangeNOW will become the first international event assessing its Official partners’ sustainability commitments, based on science-based targets.
Leading by example
ChangeNOW is the World’s largest event of solutions for the planet and, as such, we have the major responsibility of leading by example. As a company, as an event, and as a leader of change.
That is why we are setting sustainability standards for ourselves : we’re evaluating the carbon footprint of the ChangeNOW summit and from there, we’re committing to carbon reduction measures. Recently, ChangeNOW summit was awarded the EEE eco-event label certification.
As a purpose-driven company, ChangeNOW also recognizes the need to go beyond its own footprint: we are now looking at new ways of helping others, who partner with us, to thrive through change.
Therefore, we are thrilled to announce our Official partners’ assessment framework: ChangeNOW will be the first event to use science-based sustainability commitments and actions as a key criterion to select its Official Partners.
In partnership with CDP, the non-profit that runs the environmental disclosure system, ChangeNOW will require companies to show climate transparency and have science-based targets in line with 1.5°C, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
After raising awareness around the process in 2023, it will become a mandatory selection criterion by the end of 2024.
Our vision for a science-based targets approach
Scientific reports are crystal clear: we need to set near-term targets and rapid action to reduce emissions over the next 5-10 years in line with the 1.5°C objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Businesses have a critical role to play in driving down greenhouse gas emissions and building the resilient, zero-emissions economy we urgently need.
ChangeNOW has a vision for this action: it must be grounded in science and should be measurable by a common worldwide standard.
It seems only natural to rely on an evaluation using the latest science to determine targets and from there, the visibility given to each of our Official Partners, whom we expect to be leaders in creating a thriving economy in harmony with the natural world that sustains us all.
Our assessment framework therefore includes whether companies have set science-based targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Created by the CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting for companies and financial institutions. The SBTi evaluates their commitments in light of the science to determine their alignment with a 1.5°C trajectory.
“If we are serious about limiting warming to the 1.5°C goal, all companies must completely decarbonize their full value chain and have a credible transition plan to deliver. We simply have no time for greenwash.” Laurent Babikian, Global Director – Data Products and Distribution, CDP.
This framework will not exclude the use of common sense and other criteria to avoid promoting companies whose mission or activities are intrinsically linked to a negative impact on climate, biodiversity, humans, and resources.
The assessment will also consider the company’s approach to measuring its Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions and its transparency regarding results.
A commitment to a tenfold impact
ChangeNOW Official partners’ assessment framework is a commitment aligned with our core mission and purpose: ChangeNOW is shedding light on and supporting concrete actions that have the power to shift mindsets, behaviors, laws, or norms.
ChangeNOW only selects a shortlist of the most inspiring initiatives and practices in every sector and supports by making them visible to the world and by reinforcing their legitimacy.
Enterprise is a powerful engine for positive change. Such a commitment on our part allows us to help them improve and become better leaders of change.
“We believe adopting a global standard based on science to assess companies’ commitments and performance is the only way forward.
And our hope is that this requirement will serve as an asset for companies to lead change internally, across the value chain and beyond.
With this decision, we are sending a major signal to the industry, and we hope other major event organizers will follow.”
Kevin Tayebaly, Co-Founder, ChangeNOW
Rolling out the initiative by 2024
In 2023 we will be raising awareness around the Official partners’ assessment framework, which will be fully rolled out by the end of 2024. We will therefore start by explaining this framework and process to our historical and current ChangeNOW Official partners. New Official partners will also be asked for transparency about their journey in being aligned with Paris Agreement objectives.
Temperature trajectory profiles will become a mandatory selection criterion by the end of 2024.
With the support of CDP, we are also looking at being able to monitor Official partners’ commitments once they are assessed. Dedicated processes and tools are currently being developed.
As we are in the first steps of a tenfold impact journey, we are looking forward to starting the work with our Official partners’ community.
About CDP :
CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions. Nearly 20,000 organizations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2022, including more than 18,700 companies worth half of global market capitalization, and over 1,100 cities, states and regions.
About the SBTi
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science. The SBTi’s goal is to accelerate companies across the world to support the global economy to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero before 2050.
The initiative is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets.
To go further : along with our Official partners
ChangeNOW brings together an extensive network of committed partners. In particular, our Official Partners are either recognized action leaders in their industry or companies who have taken important positive steps on a larger scale.
For Official partners, ChangeNOW is a platform where they can bring together stakeholders around their vision, set new industry standards, lead by example, share concrete actions and good practices, new commitments, and strengthen their connections with top innovators and key players of impact.
