Climate and Companies: Progress and Challenges toward Net Zero

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The ecological transition of companies continues to record significant progress, with an increasing number of companies committing to reducing emissions. In 2024, over 4,000 companies communicated their climate goals through the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), marking an exponential increase compared to the last five years. However, the gap between ambitions and concrete results remains wide, with only 10% of industrial sectors having achieved their climate goals.

The latest annual PwC report on the state of decarbonization highlights companies' commitment to sustainability. 37% of companies have intensified their efforts, while only 16% have slowed down. Even small businesses, involved in virtuous supply chains, are adopting more ambitious emission reduction strategies. 84% of companies maintain climate goals even in the event of managerial changes, demonstrating that sustainability is a structural element in long-term business strategies. Despite the increase in commitments, the transition to climate neutrality faces significant obstacles. Only 10% of industrial sectors have achieved climate goals, while the remaining 90% must tackle operational and financial challenges that hinder the decarbonization process.

The lack of detailed strategies and targeted investments slows progress, highlighting the need for more concrete actions to transform ambitions into measurable results. Sustainability strategies are not only a regulatory obligation but can also translate into tangible economic benefits. According to the PwC report, reducing emissions would improve business competitiveness, lowering operating costs and increasing profit margins. Additionally, consumers are increasingly likely to choose sustainable products, willing to pay up to 30% more for goods made with recycled or biodegradable materials. Companies that integrate sustainability into their strategies not only improve their reputation but also access new market opportunities.

Companies aiming to reduce emissions must achieve concrete progress each year to stay aligned with global climate goals. According to the PwC report, in 2024 67% of companies managed to stay on the reduction path for Scope 1 and 2, marking an increase compared to 64% of the previous year. However, the situation varies significantly across sectors: while companies in the technology and services sectors have shown greater adaptability thanks to the use of renewable energy and optimization of production processes, energy-intensive sectors such as metals, construction, and chemicals continue to face significant obstacles. One of the main critical factors is the availability and cost of clean energy. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), by 2050 the demand for green energy could exceed supply, making it essential to diversify decarbonization strategies.

Scope 3 emissions, which include an entire company's value chain, represent the most complex challenge. In 2024, only 54% of companies managed to maintain the targets in this area, a figure that shows improvement from the previous year but still highlights a significant margin for growth. Unlike Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which are directly under the company's control, Scope 3 emissions stem from supplier, customer, and logistics activities, making their reduction extremely difficult. Many companies try to tackle the issue by investing in products and services with lower environmental impact, such as using recycled materials, circular economy solutions, and more efficient production processes. However, supplier involvement is still insufficient: the lack of transparency in data and the difficulty in monitoring emissions throughout the supply chain hinder progress.

Reducing corporate emissions is a complex journey that requires constant commitment, technological innovation, and the collaboration of all players in the supply chain. Although progress in Scope 1 and 2 emissions demonstrates increasing awareness and acceleration towards more sustainable energy sources, the challenges related to Scope 3 emissions highlight how crucial an integrated approach involving suppliers, customers, and institutional stakeholders is. To achieve concrete and lasting results, companies must adopt flexible strategies, invest in emerging technologies and promote a corporate culture oriented towards sustainability. Only by adopting a long-term vision and promoting global-scale collaboration will it be possible to successfully tackle the ecological transition, reducing emissions along the entire value chain and significantly contributing to international climate goals.

This article was created within the framework of the "Biodiversity services EU expansion" project (CUP: E43D22000480009) funded by the Lombardy Region call "PR FESR 2021-2027 – INTERNATIONALIZATION LINE 21-27", aimed at supporting the internationalization of Italian companies. 3Bee is the naturetech company that develops innovative technologies for monitoring, protecting, and regenerating biodiversity, supporting businesses in defining customized climate strategies based on the analysis of their impacts and dependencies on nature. With a consolidated portfolio in Italy, Germany, and France and significant partnerships, 3Bee continues its expansion into international markets to create concrete impact through technology.