258. The Climate Pledge Turns Five

Sep 19, 2024

Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon, shares insights on The Climate Pledge's journey as it marks its fifth anniversary. Over 500 companies have joined the initiative, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2040. Kara discusses the balance of celebrating successes while learning from failures, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across sectors. The conversation covers the emotional aspects of climate work, the pressing need for innovative strategies, and the crucial role of trust in fostering impactful climate action.

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INSIGHT

Pause And Choose Intention Over Frenzy

Approach busy climate moments with grounded intention, not frenzy or despair.
Pause to ask how you can contribute, listen better, and build hope through action.

ANECDOTE

The Call That Started The Climate Pledge

Jeff Bezos phoned Christiana proposing net-zero by 2040 and wanting to 'prove Paris wrong.'
That call launched conversations that led to the Climate Pledge partnership with Global Optimism.

INSIGHT

Signatories Achieve Faster Operational Cuts

Climate Pledge signatories reduced scope 1 and 2 emissions 11% by 2022, outpacing CDP reporters.
That suggests committed, collaborative groups accelerate operational decarbonization.

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This week, The Climate Pledge turns five and Tom and Christiana talk to Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon, to reflect on the journey of this initiative co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism.

At the top of the episode, Tom and Christiana anticipate the frantic and sometimes frustrating weeks ahead in this hectic period for those working in climate, and as wild weather continues to wreak havoc, Christiana and Tom invite us to pause for a moment. How can we listen and better contribute? How can we roll up our sleeves - with hope - and get to work on having a positive impact and building momentum?

In their thoughtful interview with Kara, the hosts reflect on how The Climate Pledge has grown over the last five years to over 500 signatories - companies who share an ambition to innovate, accelerate joint action and collaborate across sectors to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2040, ten years earlier than the Paris Agreement.

Kara, Tom and Christiana discuss the specific challenges companies face and the solutions and strategies they’re adopting to meet targets. Sharing failures has been just as valuable as sharing successes because, as Tom points out, none of us have decarbonised the global economy before. Unafraid to go deep, they question how we would reduce emissions and redesign society if we kept in mind the earth’s atmosphere.

NOTES AND RESOURCES

Outrage + Optimism, Live at Climate Week NYC

Event Title: It’s Time To Unite For Mission 2025

Event Details: Tuesday 24th September, 12:00 - 13:00 ET, Glasshouse (NYC)

Event Description: Mission 2025 is a coalition of courageous leaders - mayors, governors, CEOs, investors, athletes, musicians and citizens - who are inviting governments to ratchet upcoming national climate plans (known as Nationally Determined Contributions) in line with the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5C.

Described as ‘Defenders of Paris’, Mission 2025 Partners arrive at Climate Week New York with a major update of new organizations who are ready to embolden governments to set more ambitious plans and accelerate implementation because they know this can unlock trillions in private investment, scale cheap renewable energy, support industries to compete in a low carbon economy, and safeguard living standards equitably for our people.

As a live recorded Outrage + Optimism podcast, this flagship event will demonstrate how these plans can be upgraded by showcasing government and real economy leaders who are driving towards ‘positive tipping points’ across the three themes of energy, nature & food, and finance.

The event is supported by the Mission 2025 Partners and convened by Groundswell – a collaboration between Global Optimism, Bezos Earth Fund and Systems Change Lab – together with the Climate Group.

Registering: Please reach out to groundswell@globaloptimism.com if you are interested in joining this event

The Climate Pledge

The Climate Pledge and C40 Cities Launch Laneshift

GUEST

Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon

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