C40 Cities and Reckitt team up to urge businesses to take climate ...

C40 Cities, the global network of nearly 100 cities united to confront the climate crisis, has teamed up with hygiene, health and nutrition giant Reckitt to call for more businesses to take the lead on ambitious climate action in their cities.

Although cities cover less than 2% of the Earth’s surface, they account for roughly 76% of global CO2 emissions – meaning tackling the climate crisis is impossible without city action. However, city administrations only have direct control over an average of 4% of city emissions, so decisive climate action can only be achieved when politicians, residents and businesses work together.

The need for businesses to act has never been greater. New research from the World Benchmarking Alliance’s Urban Benchmark has found that companies are failing to take responsibility for their role in ensuring an affordable, safe, and inclusive urban environment for all with less than half of the companies assessed disclosing their emissions data.

This is why Reckitt – whose brands include Dettol, Durex and Nurofen – has stepped up to recognise the unique role that large companies play in the climate ambitions of the cities in which they are based.

In an innovative model, Reckitt funded and led the development of the “Oh Yes! Net Zero” programme in its home city of Hull which works to bring together businesses in support of the city’s climate action plan. The programme provides training and upskilling to local businesses and connects them with the city to exchange best practice.

Peter Edwards, Global Head of Policy and Stakeholder Management at Reckitt, said: “By adopting a place-based approach which brings together businesses large and small, Oh Yes! Net Zero has been identified as a globally significant model of how organisations can work together to reduce their carbon footprint.

“We know for many businesses, getting started on the route to net zero can be a major hurdle to overcome. Through knowledge sharing and collaboration, we’ve helped dozens of companies create and action an effective carbon reduction plan.

“We were excited to share what has already been achieved through Oh Yes! Net Zero, and its learnings from both the successes and challenges faced by members, at the Smart City Expo in Barcelona.

“In sharing Oh Yes! Net Zero’s story, we hope to help other cities and places across the world on their own pathway to net zero.”

The call for businesses comes as representatives from cities and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development prepare to travel to Barcelona next week for the annual Smart City Expo World Congress. This event will mark the first European gathering of C40’s City Business Climate Alliance (CBCA). Attending cities include: Barcelona, Bogota, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, London, Lisbon, Medellín, New York, Oslo, Quezon City, Rio de Janeiro, Rotterdam, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Warsaw, Milan, Stockholm.

The meeting comes at the start of a pivotal month for the world’s response to the climate crisis; with the upcoming US election result, the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro and COP29 in Baku. With one of COP’s key focus points being support for SMEs, city-business partnerships provide an example of best practice and a unique opportunity to support SMEs in the pursuit of a just transition.

Other cities attending the event will be sharing experiences from their business partnerships, including:

Buenos Aires’ ‘Grupo Consultivo de Empresas y Cambio Climático’ (Climate Change Consultative Group): launched in 2022 with support from 12 major businesses. The group have explored a range of issues together, from improving the availability of support during heatwaves, to reducing emissions in energy supply. San Francisco’s ‘YesSF’ programme: working with Deloitte, Salesforce and Citi to engage local entrepreneurs to find solutions to climate challenges. Lisbon’s “Sustentavel Empresas” Sustainable business platform: 329 companies committed to specific ESG measures in line with Lisbon’s climate goals. The city provides training and support to companies, whilst businesses share best practice between them. The City of Oslo’s Næring for Klima (Business for Climate) network: supporting collaboration to accelerate climate solutions in the city promoting dialogue, consultation and collaboration with businesses on the city’s climate action planning, climate budgeting and ongoing implementation of climate measures, such as zero-emission construction sites. Businesses sign a ‘climate contract’ with the Department for Environment and Transport and must meet membership criteria to be accepted.

The CBCA was established to ensure city mayors and business CEOs can translate their global climate commitments into practical actions that work in cities, to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C and deliver on the highest ambitions of the Paris Agreement.

Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities said: “Whether it’s supporting net-zero in Hull, training SMEs in Lisbon, or protecting people from extreme heat in Buenos Aires, we have seen the positive impact public-private partnerships can have around the world.

“More private businesses must now step up and invest time, money and effort into protecting and enhancing the communities they call home.”