Scaling the Impact: RTZ Companies' Journey in Corporate Climate Action

&lt;p&gt;Despite global economic uncertainty and shifting policy signals, corporate climate action continues to show remarkable resilience and measurable impact. According to DitchCarbon's new analysis, Scaling the Impact: RTZ Companies' Journey in Corporate Climate Action, we examined <strong>3,212 corporate members</strong> of the Race to Zero (RTZ) campaign <strong>over the two year period from 2022 to 2024</strong>.Collectively, these companies reduced by <strong>51.1 million metric tonnes of CO₂</strong> during this time.That's the same as the <strong>emissions stored in over 500,000 fuel trucks</strong>, enough to form a continuous line between New York and Los Angeles.The report reveals that meaningful decarbonisation is firmly underway, even amid supply chain disruptions and uneven regulatory developments. In 2024, <strong>16.8% of RTZ companies achieved absolute emissions reductions</strong>, maintaining steady progress consistent with previous years. Additionally, 25.6% of companies reduced Scope 1 and 2 intensity, while 13.4% achieved upstream Scope 3 intensity reductions, underscoring the persistent challenge of addressing supply chain emissions.<strong>Over 43% of RTZ companies increased their use of renewable energy, reinforcing its role as the most impactful lever for near term decarbonisation. Meanwhile, 9.2% adopted sustainable procurement practices.</strong>## 1. Benchmarking and Disclosure Trends### Corporate Climate Transparency- In 2024, <strong>55.0%</strong> of RTZ companies had disclosed their emission data, compared with <strong>58.6%</strong> in 2023.- The slight decline reflects both reporting cycle delays and partial data availability, rather than reduced transparency.- Benchmarking performance improved: <strong>16.0%</strong> of companies scored in the <strong>top 10 percentile</strong> of DitchCarbon's benchmarking score in 2024, up from <strong>14.3%</strong> in 2023.These results demonstrate that corporate sustainability maturity continues to deepen, with leading firms differentiating through consistent disclosure and higher quality data.## 2. Emissions Reduction Performance### Absolute Emissions (Scope 1 + 2 + Upstream Scope 3)- <strong>16.8%</strong> of companies achieved absolute emissions reductions in 2024.- Performance has remained steady: <strong>17.9%</strong> in 2023 and <strong>10.6%</strong> in 2022.- On a two year basis, <strong>13.8%</strong> of companies reduced total upstream absolute emissions in 2024.This consistent performance shows steady progress, though still below the pace required for science based pathways.### Scope 1 + 2 Intensity- <strong>25.6%</strong> of companies reduced intensity in 2024 (vs. <strong>35.0%</strong> in 2023).- On a two year basis, <strong>28.1%</strong> achieved reductions.This dip highlights the challenge of decoupling emissions from business growth, especially in energy intensive sectors.### Upstream Scope 3 Intensity- <strong>13.4%</strong> of companies reduced upstream intensity in 2024, down from <strong>18.9%</strong> in 2023.- Two year reductions remained steady at <strong>13.6%</strong>, underscoring the need for more robust supplier engagement and procurement policies.## 3. Decarbonisation Levers### Renewable Energy Transition- <strong>43.7%</strong> of RTZ companies increased renewable energy use.- <strong>For example; Nokia:</strong> Expanded partnerships for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).Renewable sourcing continues to deliver the largest measurable impact across RTZ companies.### Sustainable Procurement- <strong>9.2%</strong> of companies adopted sustainable procurement practices.- Examples: - <strong>Dassault Systèmes:</strong> Boosted supplier SBT adoption from <strong>26%</strong> (2022) to <strong>37%</strong> (2023).### Supplier Renewable Energy Adoption- <strong>15.7%</strong> of RTNZ companies' suppliers now use renewable energy.This signals growing climate maturity and cascading decarbonisation across value chains.### Investments in Climate Solutions- <strong>8.7%</strong> of companies are investing in solutions beyond renewables, such as energy efficiency, circularity, and nature based interventions.## 4. Detailed Corporate Climate Leadership### Apple&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p id=""&gt;<a href="https://ditchcarbon.com/blog-assets/apple-emissions-graph.png">!Apple emissions reduction graph</a>Graph: <a href="https://ditchcarbon.com/organizations/apple">DitchCarbon Apple Sustainability Profile</a>&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;- Apple achieved a 36% reduction in total upstream emissions from 2022 to 2024 while maintaining its revenue.- Over 100 supplier facilities participated in Apple's Supplier Energy Efficiency Program.- 2 billion kWh of electricity savings and 2.2 million MMBtu of additional energy savings delivered, avoiding 1.7 million tonnes CO₂e.- Display suppliers alone avoided an additional 2.7 million tonnes CO₂e in 2023 through targeted efficiency and renewable measures.- 20 supplier sites certified to the AWS Standard, with 16 achieving Platinum, the highest possible rating for water stewardship and operational sustainability.### AECOM- Approximately 30% reduction in absolute total upstream emissions while increasing revenue by 20% in a hard to abate sector.- 20% Scope 3 emissions reduction (1.75 Mt to 1.40 Mt CO₂e, FY2018 to FY2024) achieved through focus on purchased and capital goods, 94% of total footprint.- Project level carbon measurement for high value projects (&amp;gt; $100 M) replaced industry averages with supplier specific data for concrete and steel.- Low carbon procurement and supplier innovation: early design collaboration, recycled materials, and pilot projects like zero carbon cement to scale decarbonisation across the supply chain.## 5. Key Takeaways: What the Data Really Tells Us- Collectively, all RTZ companies reduced their emissions by 51.1 million metric tonnes from 2022 to 2024. Nearly half the progress came from renewables alone.- Scope 3 remains under addressed: only 7.1% of companies achieved upstream intensity reductions.- Procurement teams hold outsized influence, driving supplier science based target adoption.- Multi strategy leaders (renewables + efficiency + supplier engagement) achieve the most resilient and consistent reductions.&lt;/p&gt;