To reach the global carbon reduction targets set in the Paris Agreement and maintain global temperatures at less than 2C below pre-industrial levels, we believe business must play a major role.
The Low Carbon Pledge is a commitment for Irish business to invest time and resources into creating a more sustainable operation – by being more energy efficient and reducing carbon usage.
All signatory companies commit to reducing their Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emission intensity by 50% by 2030
BITCI is supporting Ireland’s business sector in the transition to a low carbon economy with the Low Carbon Pledge – the first dedicated pledge generated by Irish business to set industry standards on sustainability and reduce carbon usage.
For this reporting year the following updates have been added:
- Aspects of Scope 3 (Business Travel, Waste Generated & Water Consumption) to be reported on in the 2nd Edition of the Low Carbon Report . (Optional)
- Commitment to review the business value chain from a scope 3 perspective to identify the organisation’s significant Scope 3 (Indirect) carbon emission sources.
To help ensure consistency and comparability of efforts across various companies the internationally recognised Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard will be used as the underlying framework for the Low Carbon Pledge. Having signed up to the Pledge, signatory companies will commit to the following:
- Record all Scope 1 and Scope 2 Carbon Emissions
- Reduce the amount of Scope 1 and Scope 2 Carbon Emissions Intensity
- Report (1) Individually through an Annual Report or Website or other publically available equivalent source and (2) Collectively through an Annual BITCI Low Carbon Report
- Review year-on-year Scope 1 and Scope 2 Carbon Emissions with the aim of showing continuous improvement
Download the BITCI The Low Carbon Pledge Please note this is currently only open to BITCI member companies.
Each company will report at an individual level on the greenhouse gas emissions. Firstly, the following description of the company will need to be provided:
- An outline of the organisational boundaries (equity share or control);
- An outline of the operational boundaries (direct and indirect emissions); and
- Reporting period covered.
Secondly, the following data and information will need to be provided:
- Total Scope 1 and 2 emissions;
- Emissions data separately for each scope;
- Year chosen as base year and emissions profile over time;
- Appropriate context for any significant emissions changes that trigger base year recalculations;
- Methodologies used to calculate or measure emissions, providing a reference link to any calculation tools used; and
- Any specific exclusions of sources, facilities and/or operations.
The tools used to create these reports should be based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard Calculation Tools.
This will then be used by Business in the Community Ireland to feed into an aggregate annual report detailing the collective efforts of the signatory companies.
The first annual report was launched in 2019 validating the commitment of the signatory companies and detailing how Irish business in tackling the climate crisis.
The 2nd edition of the Low Carbon Report has been published today on 5th June 2020.
The key strength of the Pledge lies in the collaborative platforms that are being developed which will enable signatory companies to learn from each other’s successes and challenges. Companies will be able to contribute and participate in the following supporting actions based on their relevant needs:
- A Knowledge Platform which will provide guidance on best practice, as well as a series of network events hosted by leading signatory companies, to share carbon management knowledge within the group
- Signatory companies will be invited to play a role in assisting local communities to transition to the low carbon economy through engaging with community energy schemes developed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
We encourage all members of Business in the Community Ireland to sign up to the Low Carbon Pledge.
Become a member and sign up to the Low Carbon Pledge, contact Nick Reynolds to find out more.
01-874 7232