Greenprint

What happened?

The Science Based Targets initiative is calling for companies to pilot test its draft Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2, following public consultation that ended in June, with the pilot running until August to ensure the standard is effective and practical.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies can help shape the future of net-zero target-setting by participating in the pilot, whilst those with existing SBTi targets should prepare for updated requirements that will enhance scope 3 emissions approaches and continuous improvement.

What happened?

The UK government published updated GHG conversion factors for 2025, showing changes such as a 15% decrease in electricity emissions, 16-42% reductions in air travel factors, and a 25% increase in water supply emissions reflecting grid decarbonisation.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies will see notable changes in reported emissions across all scopes, with electricity and travel footprints likely decreasing whilst water-related emissions increase, requiring updated carbon accounting and potentially revised net-zero strategies.

What happened?

The United Nations recognised three new World Restoration Flagships in East Africa, Mexico, and Spain for their ecosystem restoration efforts, collectively restoring nearly five million hectares of marine ecosystems as part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies can learn from these flagship restoration models to enhance their own nature-based solutions and biodiversity strategies, whilst demonstrating that large-scale ecosystem restoration delivers measurable benefits for both planet and business resilience.

What happened?

Over 35 senior UK academics from ecology, economics, and public health delivered an open letter to the Prime Minister on 9 June, urging the government to place nature at the centre of economic and climate policy decisions for enhanced resilience and sustainability.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies should anticipate stronger integration of nature considerations into UK economic policy, creating opportunities for nature-positive business models whilst requiring enhanced environmental impact assessments and biodiversity strategies.

What happened?

Leading climate scientists warn that the planet's remaining carbon budget to achieve a 66% chance of staying below 1.5°C warming is just 80 billion tonnes of CO2 from 2025, which will be exhausted within two years at current emission rates.

What does this mean for businesses?

Companies must dramatically accelerate emissions reductions immediately as the window for 1.5°C is rapidly closing, requiring urgent implementation of decarbonisation strategies across all operations and value chains.

What happened?
The COP30 President has issued his third letter to attending governments, emphasising that COP30 can be “that pivot point” to move beyond the status quo, with priorities including tripling renewables, fossil fuel transition and adaptation frameworks.

What does this mean for businesses?
Companies should prepare for accelerated climate expectations as Brazil positions COP30 as decisive for global cooperation, with renewed focus on renewable targets, fossil fuel transitions and adaptation frameworks.