5 lessons on decarbonization learned from working with corporates

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🗞️ Driving the news: Charlotte Degot, CEO of CO2 AI, outlines five key lessons from working with global corporations on decarbonization, underscoring how climate ambition can evolve into measurable business action
• Drawing on cases from companies like Reckitt, Symrise, and General Mills, she emphasizes the need for precision in emissions data, the critical role of artificial intelligence, and the strategic integration of sustainability into core business operations

🔭 The context: As regulatory, investor, and consumer pressures intensify, corporations are moving beyond sustainability as a reporting obligation toward embedding it as a strategic growth lever
• The past five years have seen a shift from isolated ESG initiatives to enterprise-wide decarbonization programs
• Yet progress remains uneven, and lessons from early adopters are shaping how others design their climate strategies

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Corporate decarbonization is essential for global emissions reduction, given the scale of supply chains and consumption
• Precise measurement, AI-driven efficiencies, and cross-functional leadership can significantly accelerate carbon cuts
• These practices also align business resilience with environmental responsibility, offering a replicable model for scaling action across sectors

⏭️ What's next: Companies that embed sustainability in core functions — finance, operations, product development — are more likely to future-proof their business
• Key focus areas will include standardizing emissions measurement, leveraging AI for product-level data, and aligning C-suite incentives with decarbonization outcomes
• Investors and regulators will increasingly demand transparent, data-driven evidence of climate impact and ROI

💬 One quote: “Decarbonization is not just a social and environmental imperative; it is a key business advantage.” — Charlotte Degot, CO2 AI

📈 One stat: 25% of companies surveyed by CO2 AI and BCG reported decarbonization benefits exceeding 7% of annual sales — equivalent to ~$200 million in net gains after investment

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