ClientEarth response to the UK Transition Plan Taskforce’s Call for Evidence on a Sector-Neutral Framework for private sector transition plans
The UK Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) has begun developing a ‘Sector-Neutral Framework’ for private sector transition plans. ClientEarth has responded to the TPT’s Call for Evidence (which closed on 13th July) to provide feedback on a range of questions regarding the content of a ‘gold standard’ transition plan.
ClientEarth’s response explains that the TPT must take this opportunity to establish a rigorous best-practice baseline for transition plans which are aligned with climate science and the climate goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement, stimulate genuine transition, stamp out ‘greenwashing’ and transition ‘in name only’, and ensure that promised actions are actually taken, not just disclosed.
The elements ClientEarth considers essential to the rigour and ambition of the framework include:
- Compatibility of the transition plan with a science-based 1.5 °C low or no-overshoot scenario by 2050, consistent with the Paris Agreement.
- Coverage of all of the emissions associated with the company’s operations and value chains (including Scopes 1-3).
- Prioritisation of absolute emissions reductions.
- Short- and medium- term actions, including interim emissions reduction targets for 2025 and 2030.
- No inappropriate reliance on ‘offsets’ to achieve emissions reduction targets. GHG removals, carbon credits and avoided emissions must only be disclosed as other ‘contributions’ and must not obscure the company’s real progress towards absolute emissions reductions.
- Consistency of the company’s accounting, remuneration, capital expenditure and financial planning, public policy work and lobbying with the commitments made in its transition plan.
- Meaningful accountability for the design and delivery of the plan.
- Consideration of Just Transition principles and impacts on other sustainability factors such as nature and biodiversity loss.
