P&G among global companies to partner on net zero ambitions

Procter & Gamble are among seven global companies to join forces to develop net zero ambitions in an initiative led by Science Group Sustainability.

The new initiative brought together R&D and science and technology leadership from P&G, PepsiCo and Mars, as well as packaging specialist Amcor, Bayer's crop science division and chemicals firms Stepan Company and Solvay.

The group met regularly over a 12-month period as part of a Science Group Sustainability CTO Forum to help develop principles to enable material progress on carbon reduction. Within this, the companies analysed challenges hindering carbon reduction and considered ways to resolve them.

Together, they identified ten principles that will help companies as they journey towards net zero. These range from articulating carbon and other sustainability themes as distinct but related issues, to ensuring carbon impact is part of any conversation about innovation.

Michael Zeitlyn, President Advisory Services at Science Group Sustainability, said: "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is complex and brings immense technical challenges. Innovation has a vital role to play, but it can't go far enough in isolation. We need to see strategic alignment across multiple business functions, from R&D and product stewardship to procurement and compliance departments. We are all on a journey to net zero, and it's going to be tough, but we can achieve more when we work together."

One member of the forum added: "Tackling climate change is a marathon not a sprint and, whilst net zero goals and pledges may stretch beyond our personal tenure, we must own the problem. We need to reach significant milestones in the short-term and not trust that technological advances will 'find a way' in the long-term."