Last weekend, Johnson Controls joined a call to action on the eve of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Cornwall, UK. Lending its support to an open letter issued by the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, Johnson Controls has urged the G7 and other global leaders to accelerate a just transition in the race to net-zero and climate resilience, calling for bold commitments, policy and actions to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
The Alliance, an informal group facilitated by the World Economic Forum, of which Johnson Controls is a member, is the largest community of Chief Executive Officers in the world committed to climate action – representing 21 countries and 13 industries with combined revenues of $2.4 trillion. In its letter to the G7, it states that the current trajectory for greenhouse gas emissions is leading the world to “current and irreversible outcomes”, and says that with just five months to go before COP26 in November, “bold action” across private and public sectors is needed.
“There is no time to waste in tackling climate change. Technologies already exist today that can put us solidly on the pathway to net zero by 2050. We know that decarbonisation of buildings is part of the solution as buildings represent some 40% of global emissions. Reducing energy waste from buildings also saves money, so there is every reason to accelerate action,” said George Oliver, chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls. “The G7 Summit is a critically important opportunity for wealthy nations to show needed leadership, but it has to be a collective effort. Governments can expedite further action from companies; businesses are ready to move fast and boost investments to create a sustainable future.”
The Alliance letter states that its members have made clear commitments and are working to transition their businesses to net-zero. “Greater collaboration between business and government on achieving our net-zero ambitions can help accelerate this process for the benefit of our economies and societies,” it said.
Johnson Controls has already set ambitious emissions reductions targets, which were recently approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative – an independent organisation that assesses corporate sustainability claims. As part of its environmental sustainability commitments, Johnson Controls aims to cut operational emissions by 55 percent and reduce customers’ emissions by 16 percent before 2030. Its Openblue platform for optimising building sustainability will be central to fulfilling these goals and ultimately creating an environment for healthy people, healthy places and a healthy planet.
The company has also joined the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign and is a signatory to The Climate Pledge, an initiative of business leaders co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism. Signatories to the pledge commit to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040 – ten years ahead of the Paris Climate Agreement goal.
