Why openness matters in climate action

The predominant narrative can't be changed by simply pointing to technological developments, financial investment in clean energy or green policy changes. All of that is important. But as individuals we will not be open to the narrative of capacity, capability and agency unless we touch that openness within ourselves, unless we are aware of the fact that we are incredibly powerful: that our thoughts, our words and our actions have an effect on the outside world, and that therefore we can, if we collectively choose to, address climate change in the timeframe that science has established. But it must start at the roots of who we are, who we want to be in this world, and how we show up.

🌱 Are we walking the talk on corporate climate action? A new study by Colesanti Senni et al. (Environmental Research Communications, 2024) examines how corporations disclose their climate transition plans. Using a Large Language Model-based tool, the research assessed the disclosures of Climate Action 100+ companies—the largest global emitters. The findings reveal critical gaps and opportunities in how companies communicate their climate commitments. 📊 What the study found: ✔️ Most companies are adept at outlining ambitious targets (the “talk”), such as net-zero goals and interim milestones. However, they often fall short on the actionable steps needed to achieve them (the “walk”). ✔️ The companies that disclose more tend to show lower emissions, suggesting that transparency might signal a stronger alignment between planning and progress. ⚠️ A lack of standardization in reporting frameworks remains a major barrier. Without clear, consistent benchmarks, stakeholders are left questioning whether disclosures reflect genuine efforts or greenwashing. 🧩 My reflections: When I think about corporate climate responsibility, I see three interconnected layers: intentions, actions, and outcomes. Each is critical, but the gaps between them are where trust and progress falter. ✨ Intentions: Bold commitments are often a sign of leadership, but when they remain vague or unsupported by detail, they risk being seen as little more than a marketing exercise. 🔨 Actions: This is the most critical layer—and often the weakest link. Without concrete, measurable steps, even the best intentions lack credibility. Actions should demonstrate not just a plan but a willingness to take tough, sometimes unpopular, decisions. 📊 Outcomes: While outcomes are the ultimate goal, they’re also where the evidence lies. The study’s findings suggest that detailed disclosures might correlate with lower emissions, but is this because these companies are more transparent—or simply more prepared? This cycle of intentions, actions, and outcomes is not just a corporate issue—it’s a systemic one. How can we better connect these layers to create a climate response that is both transparent and transformative? 🌍 What are your thoughts? 💡 How can companies ensure their actions truly bridge the gap between intentions and outcomes? 💡 Are current disclosure frameworks helping stakeholders distinguish between real progress and polished promises—or are they creating more confusion? You can read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/exEDwzaK #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Greenwashing #CorporateResponsibility #NetZero

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹. For too long, the voluntary carbon market operated with limited visibility. Project quality, credit integrity, and how claims were being made were difficult to assess. That created risk for buyers, policymakers, and the market as a whole. That's changing. A new generation of market infrastructure is making quality differences easier to identify: ✅ Independent rating systems are distinguishing high-integrity credits from weak ones e.g. Sylvera, Calyx Global and BeZero Carbon ✅ Registry data is becoming more publicly accessible ✅ Digital monitoring, reporting and verification tools – based on satellites, drones, LIDAR, and ground checks – are raising the bar on project quality ✅ Disclosure expectations are growing for corporate credit users, e.g. in California When quality is easier to evaluate, strong supply becomes easier to find. That's how transparency shifts incentives: not through mandates alone, but by making the high integrity and quality visible. For policymakers, buyers, and investors, the implication is clear. Investing in data infrastructure, verification capacity, and disclosure frameworks isn't a side issue. It's central to whether carbon markets can function as credible climate tools. Transparency is not a nice-to-have. It's the mechanism through which trust is built and carbon markets can start to play the role they need to play in overall climate action. #CarbonMarkets #ClimateTransparency #ClimatePolicy #VCM VCMI The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) Mark Kenber Gabriel Labbate Allister Furey Donna Lee IETA Ecosystem Marketplace Steve Zwick

Is climate action going silent? Of the 4,000 companies that reported climate commitments to CDP last year, 47% stuck to their goals, 37% got more ambitious, and only 16% scaled them back. That's good news! Companies used to do "greenwashing", overselling their climate credentials. Now many are doing the opposite: acting on sustainability, but keeping quiet about it. It’s called "greenhushing". Why? Politics, fear of backlash, and the sense that talking about climate is riskier than doing something about it. But silence is dangerous. Without sharing progress, we lose peer pressure, accountability, and the ability to inspire others. Climate action isn’t just about doing, it’s about showing and inspiring. Because if no one knows it’s happening, it’s a lot easier for it to stop. #sustainability #climatetech #venturecapital

Aotearoa New Zealand is not truly committed to climate action. And in a world where sustainability is a necessity, Aotearoa New Zealand’s reputation as a green and clean nation stands at a crossroads. Recent data [https://lnkd.in/gG_sxAr8] shows that just 14 companies are responsible for three-quarters of our greenhouse gas emissions, with agriculture accounting for more than half. Giants like Fonterra, Z Energy, and Silver Fern Farms dominate the emissions landscape. This raises urgent questions about our genuine commitment to climate action. Why? Because actions speak louder than words: The government is passing legislation to stop the publication of company-level greenhouse gas emissions from farms. The decision has sparked fierce debate, highlighting concerns about transparency and accountability in our approach to climate change. The government’s recent decision to legislate against the publication of farm-level greenhouse gas emissions has sparked fierce debate. Critics warn that this move could tarnish New Zealand’s global brand, which is deeply rooted in perceptions of environmental stewardship. In the face of climate change, transparency is more crucial than ever. Stakeholders—from consumers to investors—need access to accurate data to hold companies accountable and drive meaningful change. Ending public reporting of farm-level emissions is a step backward, reducing the pressure on major emitters to innovate and cut their carbon footprint. As the saying goes, “What gets measured gets done.” Without transparency, I fear we’ll erode the trust of our international partners, who value environmental integrity in their supply chains. For New Zealand, a nation that prides itself on leading in sustainability, this could have far-reaching consequences. Globally, nations and corporations are increasingly judged by their commitment to climate pledges. For New Zealand, a country that markets itself with images of pristine landscapes and kaitiakitanga, rolling back transparency could damage our brand, affecting tourism, trade, and beyond. The agriculture sector is vital to our economy, but it must adapt to a climate-conscious world. Removing agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme and stopping farm-level emissions reporting signals a lack of genuine commitment to fighting climate change. As business leaders, we must champion transparency and lead with integrity. A genuine commitment to sustainability and innovation will keep New Zealand a global pioneer and safeguard its reputation. The time to act is now—to ensure that our brand reflects the values we uphold and the future we wish to create for generations to come. Hōake tātou! Ps it’s worth noting: “Emissions from the coal Fonterra burns are instead assigned to the company that mined the coal domestically or imported it from overseas.” #ClimateAction | #Transparency | #CleanGreen | #Kaitiakitanga

Targets are easy to announce. Trust is harder to earn. In public climate work, ambition is not what people follow. Proof is. San Francisco’s citywide greenhouse gas emissions are down 48% from 1990 (latest full inventory year: 2022). And CDP just put San Francisco on its 2025 A List for the eighth year in a row because our disclosures and updates are detailed and public. That recognition matters for one reason: transparency protects the public. It lets residents, businesses, and advocates check the work, not just hear the promise. Our Climate Action Plan targets are 61% by 2030 and net zero by 2040. But targets only mean something if we do three things consistently: 1) Publish progress. 2) Name tradeoffs. 3) Let people audit outcomes. That is how you build credibility while still being honest about what is broken and what must change next. If you could track just one number to judge real climate progress, what would it be? #ClimateAction #Accountability #PublicTrust #sanfrancisco #bayarea

I have always believed that openness and transparency are essential when building climate services, and this conviction has only deepened since I began working with climate data to assess climate risk for the bank where I work. Today there is a proliferation of physical climate risk data providers, and most of these services are built on datasets and models originally developed with public funding. Perhaps it's time to admit that climate risk information is a public good, as this article written by Madison Condon (Associate Professor at Boston University School of Law) suggests. Firstly, this is about fairness and climate justice: everyone, wealthy and less wealthy actors, should be able to decide using the same high-quality information. Secondly, market integrity: having open data can improve the quality of the decisions, as happened with the release of transparency platforms in the electricity markets. Final point, accountability and trust: government and public authorities use climate risk information to write regulations and shape our life, for this reason underlying data and methods cannot be black boxes, but transparent and easy to scrutinise. This article suggests to create a National Climate Service, similar to National Weather Services - apparently this idea is around for decades in the US. If you like the topic, this article is a long (63 pages) interesting read. https://lnkd.in/eYMSWKZG

Kicking off New York Climate Week on Monday at the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Media Zone, I had the privilege of sharing the stage with Jane Gavronsky, COO of FINOS. Jane’s expertise in technology and passion for open collaboration were truly inspiring. Together, we explored the exciting intersection of open-source tech and climate action. At Boston Consulting Group (BCG), we’ve seen the impact of OS-Climate firsthand. Open-source tools are transforming how we assess climate risks and develop adaptation and resilience (A&R) strategies for cities worldwide. From energy grids to urban planning, open collaboration is unlocking scalable solutions across industries. Jane and I both believe that open source is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By breaking down silos and fostering collaboration, we can drive real, measurable impact. It's an exciting time to push the boundaries of what's possible through tech-driven solutions. Thank you, Jane, for your insights and for helping to lead this critical conversation. Read more about the potential of open collaboration in my latest article with Adham Abouzied: https://lnkd.in/ep8RFmwt And stay connected! I’ll be posting the video of my conversation with Jane Gavronsky very soon. #BCGatUNGA24 #BCGatClimateWeek24 #TechForGood

As the world marks ten years since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, #transparency stands as one of its powerful legacies. African nations are showing how data, collaboration and leadership help translate global climate goals into national progress. ✔️ In the Central African Republic, inclusive coordination across ministries and academia helped the completion of its first #BTR and build a national climate database, a first for the country. ✔️In Namibia, capacity built over years has led to full national ownership of reporting, supported by international cooperation. Experts from the energy sector became certified after completing specialized trainings in how to use the tools developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). ✔️ In Cabo Verde, innovation and self-reliance led to the development of a digital Climate Transparency System, without external funding. These 3 countries remind us that transparency is more than reporting: it’s empowerment, accountability, and the foundation of stronger climate action. Shout out to the great teams behind these efforts, across UNDP UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre and our partners in Global Environment Facility and Government of #Belgium Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ezjECcyr Eva Huttova Agré Richemond ASSIE Moussa Diop Gonçalo Cavalheiro Zeynep Bakır Analisa Palacios M. Denis Desgain Khetsiwe Khumalo Snezana Dragojevic Esteban Bermúdez Forn Suzanne Lekoyiet Asher Lessels Gulsah Dark Kahyaoglu Camille Reyniers Geert Fremout

When I founded Planet FWD, I made a clear commitment democratize access to high quality supply chain data. GHG inventories and LCAs are foundational tools for sustainability teams and our vision has always been for these tools to be accessible to all. It hasn’t been easy but my team has made it possible for every company to measure, report and reduce their emissions with integrity and transparency. That's why I'm increasingly concerned by a trend in our industry - providers telling companies their existing carbon data "can't be accepted.” When providers tell you to discard your existing carbon measurements and start over, they're not just asking you to duplicate work. They're asking you to: 1. Waste valuable resources. 2. Lock yourself into closed systems that limit your future options. 3. Delay real progress. The reality is simple: If your emissions data follows recognized methodological standards like GHG Protocol and ISO LCA, it should be usable across platforms and frameworks. At Planet FWD , we believe in open collaboration and interoperability. That means accepting emissions data from any verified provider that meets quality standards. Because the path to decarbonization requires all of us working together. We shared more thoughts on this in our latest blog post (link in comments) The climate crisis is too urgent for gatekeeping. Let's focus on progress, not proprietary limitations. #Sustainability #ClimateAction #NetZero #OpenData #Collaboration