IN BRIEF

The COVID-19 pandemic is deepening existing inequalities and threatening to reverse progress on the Global Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. At the same time, the world continues to face a global climate emergency that challenges both humankind and livelihoods. In this time of global uncertainty, ambitious climate action is as urgent as ever. As countries work on economic aid and recovery packages in response to COVID-19 and as they prepare to submit enhanced national climate plans under the Paris Agreement, Governments and businesses must now reimagine a better future grounded in bold climate action.

KEY STATISTICS

• 219 UN Global Compact participants have set validated science-based emission reduction targets through the Science-Based Targets initiative.
• 165 UN Global Compact participants have joined the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign in which they have committed to set science-based targets aligned with a 1.5°C future.
• Over 175 companies — including more than 140 UN Global Compact participants — have signed the Statement Uniting Business and Governments to Recover Better.
• 94 per cent of companies that responded to the UN Global Compact annual survey have policies and practices in place specifically advancing environmental responsibility.
• Over 70 per cent of companies that responded to the UN Global Compact annual survey are implementing resource efficiency and environmentally-friendly technologies.
• 54 per cent of companies that responded to the UN Global Compact annual survey indicate reporting publicly on their environmental performance and 36 per cent of UN Global Compact participants are reporting their emissions and other strategic data.
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that taking action to address climate change with a focus on the energy sector will generate 24 million new jobs by 2030 if the right policies are in place.
• The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that jobs in renewables could reach 42 million — or four times the current level — globally by 2050 through the increased focus of investments on renewables. Similarly, IRENA estimates that energy efficiency measures could create 21 million jobs and system flexibility could create 15 million additional jobs.