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Country specific low carbon commitments versus equitable and practical company specific decarbonisation targets

Author

Listed:
  • Harmke Immink

    (Stellenbosch University and RvA Dutch Accreditation Council)

  • Robbie Louw

    (Promethium Carbon)

  • Amy Garlick

    (Nedbank Limited)

  • Samuel Vosper

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Alan Brent

    (Victoria University of Wellington
    Stellenbosch University)

Abstract

Concerns about the impact of climate change and the need for stabilising a global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius are driving the requirement for the allocation of the global budget of GHG emissions to various stakeholders. In parallel to the drive for countries to make commitments towards decarbonisation, sector decarbonisation trajectories are being developed. Globally collective action is required, and companies, including multinationals, are increasingly requested to set GHG targets to contribute towards this goal. How these company decarbonisation targets are linked to country commitments, with the challenges of a fair division of the global budget between developing and developed countries, have not been fully investigated. The role of the Science-Based Targets initiative in supporting companies to commit to transformational targets is reviewed from both a developing country and a practical implementation perspective. The purpose of this paper is to present a methodological approach to support the development of a GHG target for a company. Ethical and practical challenges that need to be addressed are identified, and policy and managerial implications provided. This approach is framed to support equitable and practical GHG targets for companies that can be monitored, while focusing on a global 2 degrees Celsius temperature target within a sustainable development context.

Suggested Citation

  • Harmke Immink & Robbie Louw & Amy Garlick & Samuel Vosper & Alan Brent, 2022. "Country specific low carbon commitments versus equitable and practical company specific decarbonisation targets," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(8), pages 10005-10025, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:24:y:2022:i:8:d:10.1007_s10668-021-01854-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01854-7
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