CSR Strategies for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Nearly every company, regardless of industry, finds that fuel use makes up a portion of their overall carbon footprint. This presents an opportunity for companies to drive scale in proven solutions and innovative strategies to reduce these emissions. At Microsoft, we’re not just signaling demand as purchasers. We’re growing the sustainable fuels market by investing in innovation through our Climate Innovation Fund and piloting new financial models to scale impact.  In this month’s Sustainably Speaking, we’re sharing how sustainable fuels are helping reduce emissions, with insights from fuel and materials expert Julia Fidler on our approach to innovation and market development. From aviation to shipping, we believe it is important to share insights transparently to support the collective development of low-carbon fuel markets.  Last year, we updated our supplier code of conduct, requiring select large-scale suppliers to transition to 100% carbon-free electricity for goods and services delivered to us by 2030. Building on this, we just released additional guidance requesting those same select large-scale suppliers to target usage of sustainable aviation fuel, where possible, for Microsoft business-related air travel by 2030. Together with our partners, we’re taking actionable steps toward a more sustainable future—one where innovation and collaboration accelerate progress. Every advance in sustainable fuels brings us closer to meaningful impact. Through our partnerships with fuel producers, airlines and shipping lines, we reduced our emissions by more than 65,000 metric tons of CO₂ last year. Let’s keep pushing forward, sharing what we learn, and building momentum for lasting change. Looking forward to your feedback on the latest edition of Sustainably Speaking. https://lnkd.in/gTFvymCq

👩🏻🌾 Science Based Targets initiative announces a practical guide to target setting for Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) sector. 🌡️ Forest, Land and Agriculture is one of the sectors most affected by the impacts of climate change. 🚜 It is also a significant source of emissions - It represents 22% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions - the third highest emitting sector after energy and industry. 💡 FLAG has a unique opportunity to both drive emissions reductions and enhance carbon removals - meeting global climate goals while preserving the land on which these businesses - and so many others - depend. The new Guidance brief offers companies a high-level understanding of how to use the full FLAG Guidance and key steps to setting impactful targets that reduce emissions and enhance carbon sinks. Who is this for? Two options: 🧻 FLAG Sector Pathway: For demand-side companies, focusing on absolute emissions reductions who's FLAG emissions are further from the source.. 🍗 FLAG Commodity Pathways: For supply-side companies, targeting intensity-based reductions for specific commodities (including, beef, chicken, dairy, leather, maize, palm oil, pork, rice, soy, wheat, timber & wood fiber) Here are the requirements: 🌲 Account for land-based emissions and removals: Include emissions from deforestation, land conversion, and business activities associated with the use of land (e.g. fertilizers, manure management, forest harvesting, etc.), as well as biogenic CO2 removals like restoring natural ecosystems, improving forest management, deploying silvopasture, and enhancing soil carbon sequestration on pasture and farmland. ⏱️ Set near-term FLAG science-based targets: 5-10 year emissions reduction targets in line with limiting warming to 1.5°C. 🧓🏻 Set long-term FLAG science-based targets: Use the SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard to set targets to reduce at least 72% of emissions by no later than 2050. 🪵 Set a no-deforestation commitment with a target date no later than 2025: In line with the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi). This commitment is mandatory, without it, companies cannot set a FLAG target. ⚡ Set science-based targets for energy/industry emissions: Set energy/industry targets in addition to FLAG targets, to cover all scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Explore the guide and many of the other resources here: https://lnkd.in/eQhXBamj

According to Deloitte's 2023 survey, 68% of procurement leaders say that sustainability is now a key factor in their supplier selection criteria. If you're manufacturing and supplying parts, here are 9 things you can do to reduce and report your carbon emissions and companies that can help you execute these changes. 🌱 Use recycled or sustainable materials – Opt for materials with lower environmental impact. Heartland Industries, Sawgrass Sustainable ⚡ Improve energy efficiency – Upgrade to energy-efficient machinery and optimize production processes. Siemens, Ice Energy 🌞 Switch to renewable energy – Power your facility using solar, wind, or other clean energy sources. NextEra Energy Resources, Iberdrola 🚚 Optimize logistics – Reduce emissions by consolidating shipments and choosing greener transportation options. American Crane and Equipment Corporation 🔄 Implement a circular economy – Design parts for reuse, repair, or recycling at the end of their life. B & B Plastics, Inc., Matium 🏭 Minimize waste – Reduce scrap, improve precision, and recycle waste materials whenever possible. UL Solutions, Valicor 💧 Conserve water – Adopt water-saving technologies and reuse water in production processes. Earthshot, Brite Solar 🏷️ Label for sustainability – Clearly communicate your products' eco-friendly attributes to customers. EcoVadis 📊 Track and report emissions – Use tools to measure and report Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, and set reduction goals. Carbon Report #manufacturing #procurement #supplychain #sustainability

More than half of Salesforce’s most strategic suppliers — based on the amount the $38 billion software company spends on their goods and services — have agreed to cut their greenhouse gas emissions as part of binding provisions in their contracts. Those clauses are part of the Salesforce Sustainability Exhibit, introduced four years ago in May 2021 as an amendment to the company’s standard contact. Many large companies actively encourage suppliers to reduce emissions through science-based targets, and some offer educational resources and technical assistance to help. Salesforce remains unique in codifying those commitments as part of its procurement process, although customer service software company Zendesk — a Salesforce supplier — was inspired enough by the approach to introduce a similar set of contract clauses in November 2024. Best practices for companies interested in shaping similar programs: ➡️ Get procurement teams involved. They can help prioritize engagement and signal which suppliers might find new requirements difficult to meet. ➡️ Provide technical support. Many companies, especially smaller ones, will need an education on the concept of net zero. ➡️ Offer options. Allow suppliers to choose the emissions reduction path that makes the most sense for their business rather than dictating a one-size-fits all approach.  ➡️ Look for ways to support supplier investments. For example, a corporation could motivate supplier investments in renewable energy or lower-emissions materials through better procurement terms. Lessons from Salesforce’s unique contracting process: https://lnkd.in/eHZ7qGvm Cooper Wechkin Louisa McGuirk Serena Ingre Emily Damon Amy Garber