The latest insights from CDP, the global environmental disclosure system  

With COP26 having just drawn to a close, we reflect on our progress made so far. In October, CDP’s Discloser 2021 numbers were announced. A record-breaking 13,100+ companies disclosed, up 37% from 2020, and worth 64% of global market capitalization. After a year of extreme weather worldwide, and despite the difficulties of the pandemic, this signifies that environmental disclosure is now a business norm – learn more about the Discloser 2021 outcomes here. These outcomes coincided with the release of CDP’s new 2021-25 strategy, which sets out how CDP will accelerate progress through disclosure, insight and action. 

At COP26, CDP’s three key asks for COP26 included commitments to interim 2030 targets, mandatory environmental disclosure, and the foundations of a sustainable financial system. Find our latest sustainable finance policy brief here. Capital markets must align to the Paris Agreement goals; the cost of inaction is exponential. 

Recent CDP analysis shows that over 60% of total global fund assets have an expected temperature path of over 2.7°C of global warming. Just 0.5% of funds are currently aligned to a 1.5°C future. Read more about these findings here. 

COP26 must be a springboard to an economy-wide transformation 

COP26 was set to be the most important meeting since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, heralded as the transition COP - the critical meeting that would move us from negotiation of policy to its implementation. It’s the last chance for governments to commit to policies that can limit global warming to 1.5°C and avoid the most devastating, irreversible impacts of climate change. Read more on how CDP will continue to engage with policymakers globally to drive forward these much-needed outcomes.

Collaboration between cities, states, regions, business and national governments is vital to prevent irreversible climate change 

Cities, states and regions are at the forefront of climate action but are already experiencing first-hand the devastating impacts of climate change, from extreme rainfall to flooding and droughts. CDP data found that 93% of cities are facing significant climate risks. Change needs to happen now, but it cannot happen in silos – systemic change at the pace and scale required can only happen with system-wide action. 

CDP Partnerships Diversity and Equity Initiative - One Year On 

In October 2020, the CDP Partnerships team launched its Diversity and Equity Initiative. This initiative was created to leverage CDP’s platform and resources to make the accredited solutions provider programme more accessible to a diverse network of providers, and to shine a light on the work that these providers are doing for the sector. 

Case Study: In Arizona, sustainability is bringing in big business 

“Low taxes, sunshine and golf.” For years, this was the popular mantra that many believed explained why businesses were drawn to Arizona – so much so that it became a refrain for the region’s economic development. But with more extreme weather events affecting the country and the COVID-19 pandemic changing how millions of people work and live, how are businesses in Arizona mitigating risks and seizing the opportunities from climate action?