Press Release: iDE To Reach Net-Zero In 2030 - 22 April 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: KC Koch, iDE 
(phone: +1 303 884 4534, email: kkoch@ideglobal.org)

As an organization committed to powering positive change, global nonprofit iDE today announced its commitment to becoming net zero by the end of 2030 or earlier.
 
iDE CEO Lizz Ellis said the organization aims to be a leader in reducing carbon emissions as it joins international efforts to contain global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
 
“We believe action on climate change must be taken now and can’t just be left to governments. Everyone – companies, nonprofits, philanthropists and individuals – has a role to play in eliminating carbon emissions and healing our planet,” said Ellis.

“The people and places we serve are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change. As a leader in the pursuit of economic development and inclusive growth, iDE chooses to lead by example and do its part to contribute toward the global goal of reaching ‘net-zero’ by 2050.”
 
Recognizing the urgency and the leadership required, iDE is joining numerous organizations that have committed to reaching net-zero targets ahead of the international schedule of 2050, and will reach the goal by the end of 2030 or earlier. PwC, EY, Vancouver International Airport, and more than 500 B Corps, have committed to do the same. 
 
Under iDE’s plans to reach net-zero the organization will first become carbon neutral in 2023, which involves purchasing carbon offsets for its current emissions level. To do this, iDE is partnering with SCS Global to conduct an inventory of its carbon footprint.
 
As part of iDE’s commitment to net zero, we will consider ways to adapt our current business practices, reduce our emissions to the lowest amount possible, and purchase carbon removal offsets for the remainder.
 
iDE will need to minimize emissions resulting from direct and indirect supply chains, including employee commuting, business travel, the organization’s purchase of goods and services, and the use of our products by others.

Excessive production of greenhouse gasses by organizations are reported in terms of three scopes: Scope 1 includes emissions made directly by an organization, such as operating heaters, air conditioners, and vehicles. Scope 2 includes emissions made indirectly through the purchase of grid electricity. Scope 3 includes emissions that an organization is responsible for across its entire value chain, which include gasses emitted by the production and delivery of products and services purchased by the organization. 

iDE’s commitment to being carbon neutral in its immediate operations by the end of 2023 includes scopes 1 and 2. iDE’s commitment to being net-zero by the end of 2030 includes all three scopes.

In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change established the science-based targets of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and cutting 2017 emissions levels in half by 2030 to keep global warming within 1.5°C, mitigating the risk of long-lasting and irreversible impacts due to climate change. 

Questions and Answers*

What is net zero?

Put simply, net zero means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere, by oceans and forests for instance.

Why is net zero important?

 The science clearly shows that to avert the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a livable planet, global temperature increase needs to be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Currently, the Earth is already about 1.1°C warmer than it was in the late 1800s, and emissions continue to rise. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C  – as called for in the Paris Agreement – emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 (IPCC Report).

How can net zero be achieved?

Transitioning to a net-zero world is one of the greatest challenges humankind has faced. It calls for nothing less than a complete transformation of how we produce, consume, and move about. The energy sector is the source of around three-quarters of greenhouse gas emissions today and holds the key to averting the worst effects of climate change. Replacing polluting coal, gas, and oil-fired power with energy from renewable sources, such as wind or solar, would dramatically reduce carbon emissions.

Is there a global effort to reach net zero?

 Yes, a growing coalition of countries, cities, businesses, and other institutions are pledging to get to net-zero emissions. More than 70 countries, including the biggest polluters – China, the United States, and the European Union – have set a net-zero target, covering about 76% of global emissions. Over 1,300 companies have put in place science-based targets in line with net zero, and more than 1000 cities, over 1000 educational institutions, and over 400 financial institutions have joined the Race to Zero, pledging to take rigorous, immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030.

 Are we on track to reach net zero by 2050?

No, commitments made by governments to date fall far short of what is required. Current national climate plans – for all 193 Parties to the Paris Agreement taken together – would lead to a sizable increase of almost 14% in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 2010 levels. Getting to net zero requires all governments – first and foremost the biggest emitters – to significantly strengthen their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and take bold, immediate steps towards reducing emissions now. The Glasgow Climate Pact called on all countries to revisit and strengthen the 2030 targets in their NDCs by the end of 2022, to align with the Paris Agreement temperature goal. 

* From the United Nation’s website.

iDE Contact: KC Koch +1 303 884 4534