EY and WBCSD call for global collaboration across value chains to speed up efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions 

• New report from EY and WBCSD outlines new value-chain approach to accelerate emissions reductions.
• Report signals crucial role for AI in identifying and targeting emissions hotspots and interventions; and in speeding up emissions reductions.
• Report comes in advance of WBCSD’s Emissions Reduction Accelerator launch and its action plan designed to help members cut global emissions. 

Global efforts to tackle greenhouse gas emissions must be stepped up, and there is an urgent need for collaboration across the business world, to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change, according to a new report from EY and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

The report, “Accelerating GHG Emissions Reduction”, highlights the pivotal role that businesses can play in accelerating emissions reductions through collaboration across their value chains, and the challenges of decarbonizing across global value chains to achieve vital goals.

Dr Matthew Bell, EY Global Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader says: “If we’re going to find a way to address emissions among the world’s largest companies, collaboration is essential. Value chains contribute up to 80% of emissions for many big businesses, meaning there’s no option but to work together to solve the problem.”

“With the rapid development of AI, technology can play a huge role in helping to accelerate decarbonization and there’s no doubt that the commitment of WBCSD’s membership on this important initiative, provides a real boost to a crucial collective effort.”

The report was developed through a combination of data analysis, research, and stakeholder engagement sessions. It looks at the action needed among the WBCSD’s member businesses - which together account for approximately 25% of both global corporate revenue and greenhouse gas emissions - and shows that current 2030 targets for emissions reductions fall short of the requirements set out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Paris Agreement.  

Dr. Velislava Ivanova, EY Global Strategy and Markets Leader, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, says: “We are seeing the impact of climate change on business on a daily basis.  Emissions reductions across value chains are central to the decarbonization of the economy. With a clear pathway to turn ambition into action, the world’s biggest businesses can have a significant impact.

“The best route to meaningful emissions reductions is for businesses to work closely with their value chains. And with emerging technology too, there are incredible opportunities to identify and target emissions hotspots wherever they may be.”

The new report comes ahead of the launch of WBCSD’s Emissions Reduction Accelerator (ERA), at COP30, and an action plan designed to encourage vital collective action towards emissions reduction goals targeting all stages of a business’ value chain – the “value chain approach.”

Through this value chain approach — and tools and solutions developed by WBCSD and others — ERA is designed to identify hotspots for impactful interventions, harness AI-driven insights, and foster collaboration among industry, policy, finance, and innovation stakeholders.

ERA is a response to the business need for solutions that unlock business value while accelerating emissions reduction.​   

Dominic Waughray, Executive Vice President, WBCSD, says: "The scale of the climate challenge is immense, but so is the opportunity. ERA’s approach to address emissions across entire value chains is exactly the kind of game-changing action the world needs to meet the moment. WBCSD has the unique opportunity to convene more than 250 of the world’s leading companies to accelerate emissions reduction and improve business performance for all. The time for action is now.”

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Notes to Editors

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