- On 22 November 2023, the Autumn Statement announced some positive steps towards achieving the UK’s net zero goals, notably by taking forward promises to improve grid connectivity and provide investment in green industry.
- However these measures did not go far enough in delivering the comprehensive plan needed to support the UK’s transition to net zero.
- “The government must go further if it is going to deliver on its ambition to make the UK the world's first net-zero aligned financial centre.”
- The Net Zero Investment Framework (NZIF) is the most widely used net zero framework for investors who are setting voluntary net zero targets.?
- Companies in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (AFF) sector will now face more stringent criteria to be considered ‘aligned’. Most notably they will need to possess a well-defined decarbonisation plan and allocate capital in accordance with it.
- The reclassification will require investors who want to achieve their net zero targets to intensify their engagement with portfolio companies associated with the sector, including through engagement initiatives like Nature Action 100.
- The real estate sector has one of the largest sectoral energy and carbon footprints across the world, so a more sustainable approach across the life cycle of a building is vital to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
- The first section of IIGCC’s guide outlines detailed methodologies and guidelines for assessing whole life carbon emissions in the property lifecycle, and the second section provides guidance on the internal processes investors can implement.
- For investors committed to reaching net zero through real world emissions reductions, addressing whole life carbon represents a challenge but also an enormous opportunity to catalyse change in the sector.
