Leaving no one behind; WBA assesses emitters’ low-carbon transitions

WBA's latest research, the Just Transition Assessment, focusses on what companies in high-emitting sectors are doing to respect the rights of workers, communities and the most vulnerable as they work towards low-carbon goals.

The Just Transition Assessment covers 180 companies globally: 100 oil and gas companies, 50 electric utilities and 30 automotive manufacturers. Based on publicly available sources, the assessment investigates the social impact of these companies’ decarbonisation plans.

WBA’s first assessments found a striking and systemic lack of action by companies to identify, prepare for and mitigate the social impacts of their low-carbon strategies. Only 9 of the 180 companies assessed score above 50% on their current performance across WBA’s 6 just transition indicators.

WBA assessments promote a ‘race to the top’ in which leaders are motivated to do more and laggards are held to account. Through continued dialogues with companies, WBA has been able to help provide insights into this complex subject area. It brings guidance on what good practice looks like and what companies need to do to decarbonise at pace while also considering the social impact of their decisions.

Porticus supports WBA’s work towards a just transition in which companies can become a force for good and in which workers and communities can thrive within the 1.5°C boundaries set out in the Paris Agreement.  

Porticus Partner: The World Benchmarking Alliance